?Chapter 699:


    Makenna’s POV:


    Bryan parted his lips as if about to speak, but before he could, yton cut in, his eyes glinting with mischief. “Makenna, don’t take this the wrong way. I’m not implying anything. I just thought it’d be nice to take you out to rx a little.”


    Bryan’s face darkened instantly, his words stolen by yton’s interruption. He shot him a re sharp enough to slice steel, his expression practically screaming, Oh, you think you’re smooth, don’t you?


    Turning back to me, he spoke stiffly, as though he hadn’t just been upstaged. “That’s what I meant too.”


    I folded my arms, my expression frosty as a memory of those sex ves’ smug provocations shed in my mind. “I’m not going,” I snapped. “If you’re looking for fun, why don’t you go find Evelyn or those sex ves? Don’t waste my time. I have no interest in ying along with your games.”


    My words struck like daggers. For a fleeting moment, I saw guilt flicker across their faces before resignation settled in. They exchanged a quick nce, clearly scrambling for a way to exin themselves.


    But I wasn’t in the mood to hear it.


    Just thinking about Evelyn’s words and the arrogance of those women felt like a de twisting in my chest.


    Before they could say another word, I spun on my heel, ready to walk away, but I didn’t get far.


    The next thing I knew, my feet left the ground.


    “Ah!” I cried, panic ring in my chest. Instinctively, I looked up—only to find Bryan smirking down at me with that infuriatingly smug grin.


    The jerk!


    “Put me down! What are you doing?” I shouted, pounding against his chest with all the strength I could muster.


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    yton rushed forward, blocking Bryan with an arm. “Put her down, now!”


    Bryan merely nced at him, a flicker of disdain crossing his face. “Are you really this dense?”


    yton squinted hard. “What’s that supposed to mean?”


    With an exasperated sigh, Bryan shifted his hold on me as if I weighed nothing. “Don’t you get it? She’s too stubborn toe willingly. If we don’t force her, she’ll never agree. What’s the point of wasting time with sweet talk?”


    He shot yton a pointed look. “Whether you’re hoping to date her or not, I don’t care. But I’m taking her with me today. End of story.”


    yton blinked, stunned. Then realization dawned in his eyes, and he sighed, his earlier defiance melting into reluctant guilt.


    He nced at me apologetically, remorse swimming in his gaze. “Makenna, I’m sorry. Bryan’s got a point. But don’t worry—I’ll make it up to youter.”


    “You—” I stared at him, utterly dumbfounded. I just couldn’t believe it. The same gentle, soft-spoken yton? How could he, of all people, go along with this?


    “You two are unbelievable! Do you even hear yourselves? This is kidnapping! Have you lost all sense of decency? I don’t want to go with you!” My voice shook with rage as I wriggled and fought to break free.


    But my protests fell on deaf ears.


    Bryan carried me straight out the door, and yton, instead of helping me, hurried to hold the car door open.


    I thrashed and struggled as Bryan shoved me inside, but it was no use. yton leaned in to help, pinning me against the seat.


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