Girl Get Rid Of That Jerk by Melissa Johns

Chapter 486

Back when Joshua showed up at the gala with Ray, even the mayor of Spring Falls—a man who usually acted like he owned the place-treated Ray with a kind of cautious respect.

The next time Trayson saw Joshua was three years ago, at a sleek business mixer. His dad had dragged him there to network and talk deals. Joshua was at the center of it all, people practically orbiting around him, hoping for a word or even just a glance.

Most never got close. Trayson's father had warned him, "Go do whatever you want outside, but whatever you do, don't mess with Oak Lake's crown prince. If you cross Joshua, you're not coming home. We'll cut ties-you're on your own."

Trayson knew his dad meant it. He wasn't the oldest son, not even close. He was the third, with two older brothers who actually had their act together. And that wasn't the whole story.

His dad kept three mistresses on the side. Two of them had given him kids-a boy and a girl. Those siblings, both legitimate and not, were way more capable, and their dad actually seemed to like them. Trayson was the spoiled one nobody expected anything from. If his dad ever had to drop a son, Trayson would be first on the chopping block.

All this flashed through Trayson's mind in a matter of seconds, cold sweat beading on his forehead.

Then he saw something that made his blood run cold.

Joshua turned to the woman who'd once gotten him thrown in jail, his face full of concern. "Allie, are you okay?"

Wait-what?

how worried he looked, they

knees nearly

head and told Joshua,

quietly slip away, hoping no one

started laughing and

do you think you're

Ms. Owens being cheap and vain, wearing knockoffs and

we all heard you trashing Ms. Allison in front of

had no idea she's the Owens family

scrambled up, more embarrassed than she'd ever

away, shot her a look so cold it made her

"I'm sorry, Ms. Allison. I shouldn't have said those things about