Chapter 126
Chapter Title: “A Tangled Web”
Myra’s wrist still bore the marks from the handcuffs from the night before. When Sean took her hand, all she could feel was the sharp sting of pain. Her face contorted with fury as she snapped, “What the hell are you doing?”
Sean didn’t miss the wince of pain that crossed her face. He lowered his gaze, noticing the bruises that marred her wrists. His expression shifted immediately, shock and concern flooding his features. “What happened?”
It wasn’t just the hand he was holding; the other wrist was similarly bruised.
“This isn’t your business!” Myra yanked her hand free from his grip, the pain sharp but something she had to endure.
Sean hesitated. The night before, when he’d visited her for dinner, she’d been fine. How had things changed so quickly? His eyes darkened. “Is this because of last night? Because you were…”
His words trailed off, the unspoken conclusion hanging in the air.
Myra’s resentment simmered. She had been wronged, framed, and used—there was no love left for him now. Even if they couldn’t be husband and wife, he had no right to treat her this way. If she could turn back time, she would have never let him in, never allowed him to destroy her.
She inhaled deeply and her expression grew cold. “Director Chase, if you don’t let me go, your lover, not far from here, will start to wonder where you are.”
Her voice, devoid of warmth, cut through the tension. Sean froze, the weight of her words sinking in. He turned, his gaze falling on Lyla, who stood some distance away, clearly perturbed by the sight of them.
Myra, unmoved by the exchange, turned away from him. “We’re done, Sean.” Her voice was steady, but the finality of her words left no room for argument.
Without another glance, she walked past him, her resolve as strong as steel. Across the street, a black Maybach sat gleaming in the sunlight, a stark contrast to the somber mood that had settled over her.
Her phone buzzed in her pocket. She answered it almost instantly. “Hello?”
“Reigniting the flames with your old lover, huh? You two were standing there for so long. What did you say to him?” Tony’s voice was calm, but there was an edge to it, a hint of something darker.
A small, amused smile tugged at Myra’s lips as she chuckled softly. “Are you jealous?” Her voice was teasing, and the dimples that appeared as she smiled would have been enough to melt any other man.
Though he wasn’t physically there, Tony’s heart softened as he imagined her smile. “There’s a new restaurant on Jasmine Street. Are you hungry?”
She lightly touched her stomach, realizing just how famished she was. “I am,” she admitted, a playful tone creeping into her voice. “Dear Director Hart, I wonder if I have the honor of treating you to a meal today.”
“Oh? Did you come into some money?” Tony teased, though his tone was laced with something else—was it concern? Perhaps something more possessive?
Myra laughed softly, feeling the connection with him even over the phone. “Actually, yes. I’ve received 20% of the shares I bought from Stark Group originally, plus 50% of Hilliville from Chase Group!”
The mention of Hilliville, a place fraught with its own tangled history, seemed to spark something in Tony. His silence stretched for a moment before he responded. “Well, I guess you’ll definitely have to buy me that meal, then.” A faint chuckle escaped his lips, but there was something calculating underneath it.
As Myra passed by Eve and Lyla, she gave them no more than a passing glance. They were no longer worth acknowledging, strangers now, each walking their own separate path. The three of them watched her with varying expressions—shock, disbelief, and, for Lyla, a sudden unease.
Eve’s voice broke the silence. “So, Myra’s really moved on to another man?” she hissed, a sharp edge of frustration in her voice. “And she took Hilliville too? For nothing?”
Sean, having overheard, clenched his fists in anger. “Let’s go, Mom.” His voice was tight, his mind racing. He couldn’t ignore the frustration building inside him. Everything had changed, and he couldn’t figure out why his heart still hurt.
As they turned to leave, Lyla seemed lost in thought, her gaze fixed on the black Maybach. “What’s wrong with you?” Sean asked, noticing her distracted state.
Lyla blinked, snapping out of her trance. “I think I’m just dizzy from the sun…” she muttered, brushing it off before her phone rang, piercing the moment.
She glanced at the screen, her stomach tightening. She hesitated, then answered, her voice low. “Hello?”
“Miss Fisher, Director Hart has two options for you,” Leo’s voice came over the line, cool and professional. “One, he’ll buy up the remaining 50% of the properties in Hilliville, or two, you stay quiet about what you know.”
Lyla’s heart skipped. So, he’s asking me to keep it a secret. She inhaled sharply. “Don’t worry. Even without Director Hart’s request, this will remain a secret between us.”
She smiled to herself, a touch of vindication in her tone. After all, she had more to gain now. The Walton Family connections, the promise of a future with Sean, and soon, the Chase family fortune. She wasn’t about to let it all slip away.
Leo’s voice returned, more matter-of-fact than ever. “The transaction for all Chase Group properties in Hilliville will go through this afternoon. You’ll have the full payment.”
Lyla’s pulse quickened, her lips curling into a satisfied smile. “Thank you, Leo. And thank you to Director Hart.”
When she returned to Sean and Eve, her posture was different—confident, assured. Eve’s concerned expression didn’t go unnoticed, but she answered with a cool composure. “The customer will follow through. The deal will be finalized this afternoon.”
Eve’s eyes widened in disbelief. “In full?” she asked, her voice thick with excitement.
Lyla nodded, trying not to appear too smug. “Yes, in full. The Walton Family came through for us.”
Eve was stunned. “The Walton Family? You know them?”
Lyla merely smiled, allowing the mystery to hang in the air. “I’m closer with them than you think.”
But Sean’s eyes narrowed slightly as he processed her words. “Lyla, how do you know these people? A deal like this—it’s not something anyone can pull off.”
Lyla took a deep breath, making sure to keep her tone soft and unassuming. “I’ve worked hard, Sean. After leaving you two years ago, I made sure to surround myself with people who could help. I’ve built my connections, worked on my career. The Walton Family introduced me to the buyer, and they’ve helped us secure this deal.”
Sean’s eyes still held a hint of doubt, but his expression softened. “I see.” His gaze lingered for a moment, but he seemed satisfied with the explanation.
Eve, always looking for the silver lining, chimed in. “Sean, since we’re already here, why not get married now? We can get the certificate today, and then have a wedding when the time is right.”
Sean, still lost in thought, nodded slowly. His mind was elsewhere, caught between Lyla’s words and the lingering question about Myra. But as he held Lyla close, the decision seemed clear. He kissed her forehead, sealing the unspoken agreement. “Let’s go inside. We’ll marry now.”
Lyla’s face lit up with joy, her arms around him tightening as she whispered, “I’m so happy.”
But even as she basked in the moment, Sean’s mind flashed to Myra. How could she be with someone else already? His hands clenched, rage building. Let’s see what Myra’s up to now.
As Myra entered Tony’s car, her thoughts were a tangled mess. Everything had changed—yet nothing had been said. She wasn’t sure what to call this relationship, but there was no denying the connection between them.
When Tony pulled her onto his lap, she gasped in surprise. “Tony, we’re in public…” she murmured, her face flushing.
He merely smirked, raising an eyebrow. “So what? We’re not doing anything illegal.” The tinted windows slowly rose, blocking the view of the street as he leaned in, capturing her lips in a heated kiss.
As they pulled apart, Tony’s voice was low and dangerous. “Seeing you with Sean earlier—it drove me crazy. I need to make sure you understand you’re mine.”
Myra shivered, her heart racing. “I didn’t talk to him willingly. He cornered me, demanding I tell him who bailed me out.”
Tony’s fingers curled around her arm, sending a tingling warmth through her body. He looked down at her, his gaze dark and intense. “Did you tell him?”
“No,” Myra replied, her voice soft, a little breathless.
A cold chuckle escaped Tony’s lips as he grabbed a cigarette, bringing it to his lips without lighting it. “Good girl.”
But just as quickly, he placed her back in the passenger seat and started the car, ignoring her entirely. Myra watched him, confused, as he seemed to pout in the most childish of ways