Chapter 175
“We’re outside!” Myra quickly turned her head away, her ears flushing as though they might bleed with the intensity of her embarrassment. Tony noticed the fine hair around her ears, the delicate softness striking something deep inside his heart. Without warning, he pulled her into his arms.
Myra struggled to break free but quickly realized she couldn’t escape his grip. She gave up, surrendering to his hold as he half-hugged, half-dragged her out of the Ritz-Carlton. When they reached the entrance, Myra saw Aaron standing there, blinking mischievously at her. She couldn’t help but glare at him.
However, Aaron quickly felt a cold gaze fall on him, and in an instant, his expression froze. He let out a dry cough, turning his head away, thinking to himself, This kid from the Hart family is too much.
By the time they reached the valet, Tony’s silver sports car was already waiting. He opened the door for Myra, and once she slid in, he moved around to the driver’s side. But instead of driving off immediately, Tony closed the door, staring at Myra with a calm yet tight-lipped expression.
For a moment, Myra was confused, unsure of his intentions. She quickly understood, however, and couldn’t help but curse him internally for his stinginess. Without much choice, she leaned closer, unbuckled his seatbelt, and carefully fastened it for him. Afterward, she glanced at his stunning face. Feeling bold, she leaned in and gave him a quick peck on the lips before sitting back in her seat. She tried to maintain composure, but with his mischievous glance directed her way, she asked, “Aren’t we leaving?”
Her calm yet slightly flustered expression made Tony chuckle softly, the first sign of tenderness in his eyes. Still, he said nothing, starting the car and driving them into the busy traffic.
Meanwhile, outside the Ritz-Carlton, a woman emerged from behind a large pine tree that towered above her. Kris was beautiful, but her face now twisted in anger. Her nails dug into her palm, but she didn’t feel the sting. Her thoughts raced, and she was finally able to grasp what Tony meant by covering his shortcomings. To her shock, Myra was the one who had managed to get so close to Tony. She had been the one to interrupt their meal, making Tony leave.
Myra… Kris seethed in silence. How did you manage to hide this so well?
Kris’ hands trembled with fury. She pulled out her phone, dialing a number as anger swelled within her. When the call connected, she couldn’t contain her voice. “Didn’t you want me to stop her from getting control of the Stark Group? Then why didn’t you tell me—”
She cut off suddenly, realizing her words might be too revealing. As a woman, Tony was a great temptation for many, herself included. She was strongly drawn to him, and she desperately wanted to be with him. But Kris knew that a man like Tony wouldn’t easily settle for someone like Myra, especially after her divorce from Sean. Still, the fact that Tony hadn’t publicized their relationship made her think he was just playing with Myra. It couldn’t be anything serious, right?
Her thoughts were in turmoil. She had to find a way to get Myra out of Tony’s life and take her place. With a sharp breath, she recomposed herself. “Forget what I just said,” she snapped. “Lyla Fisher, we’re on the same side. I hope you’ll never keep anything from me. Remember—Myra is our common enemy. If you want to remain the young mistress of the Chase family, you better help me take over the Stark Group. This is for your own good!”
On the other end of the line, Lyla, who had been irritated by a previous quarrel with Eve, was less than pleased with Kris’ tone. “I have nothing to hide from you, Miss Stark,” she said coolly. “As for you… well, I don’t mind if you’re hiding something from me. We’re allies, of course. So, you’d better handle Myra properly. You don’t want to go for wool and come back shorn.”
Lyla’s words stung, but Kris held her tongue, knowing better than to argue further. The call ended abruptly, leaving her to simmer in frustration. Kris had come to despise Myra, and she wasn’t going to let her take everything away from her—not now, not ever.
Meanwhile, Lyla was dealing with her own frustrations. Her life hadn’t gone according to plan. Her marriage to Sean, which was meant to secure the future of the Chase Group, had only brought her misery. The constant complaints from Eve had made her life unbearable. Today, for instance, Eve hadn’t even bothered to ask the housemaid to cook for her. Instead, she simply left a note telling Lyla to cook for herself.
Lyla’s face darkened as she threw her phone onto the couch, her frustration building. Just as she tried to calm down, her phone buzzed again. The ringing was so loud it grated on her nerves, and she didn’t want to answer it. But the ringtone was persistent, and she had no choice but to pick it up.
As she stood to leave, Eve appeared in the doorway, clearly irritated. “Can’t you turn down the volume?” she snapped. “I’m used to taking a nap in the afternoon.”
Lyla stiffened, her lips pressing together as she responded, “I’m sorry, Mom. I’ll turn the volume down.”
Eve, seemingly satisfied with the answer, turned and slammed the door behind her. Lyla’s expression darkened further as she stood in the hall. She hated how Eve treated her like a servant, despite all she had done for the family. It was clear to her now—Eve would never see her as anything but a pawn.
With a sigh, Lyla grabbed her phone and hurried outside to answer the call, but just as she stepped out, Eve’s suspicious gaze followed her from the window.