Love's Redemption (Chris and Maddie)

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"Snooker? Dude, this is a fancy party, not some run-down pool hall. If you're here for games, you're in the wrong place," Ron scoffed, tightening his grip on Brungs arm. "Let Go." Bruno's face flushed, clearly feeling the pain, but he still didn't let go of me. Just then, a voice I'd know anywhere broke through the tension.

"What's going on here?" Hayden's voice was low, dangerous, as he strode over, gaze locking onto Bruno's hand on mine.

Dressed in a sharp black suit, he looked at Bruno with an intense, unreadable expression.

Bruno plastered on a smug grin. "Mr. Hart, I was just inviting this lovely lady to a little game, but she's not exactly feeling friendly."

Hayden's eyes flicked back to me, then pinned Bruno in place. "And why should she be? His voice was ice. "Who are you, and who let you in?"

Just as he said it, someone whispered in Hayden's ear. He gave a quick nod. "Make an announcement," he said firmly. "Remove this man and whoever he came with from the event." Bruno laughed, sneering. "You think you can throw me out? You're just some street rat the Harts picked up. Who do you think you are?" Hayden didn't flinch. He barely needed to. His security team closed in, but he held up a hand, stopping

them.

Bruno just smirked, throwing a smug look our way before he left. Right before disappearing, he gave me this annoying little whistle. "Keira, don't think you're off the hook for that game." Ugh. Absolute worst.

"What a total trash bag." Ron muttered, his eyes darting to Hayden.

anything,

something, but instead, he glanced down at my wrist. "You're red. Can you believe these creeps?" He took my hand gently, looking it over. "Does it hurt?" Then he blew softly on my wrist, and out of nowhere, I

way too close to the surface. Anytime anyone showed me even a sliver of

he comes near you again, I'll-Ron stopped, noticing my watery eyes. I quickly pulled my

said, trying

for bringing you here,"

head, glancing around. "How much longer do

be was here, especially when

matter.

Chapter 530

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go," Ron said, gentle

well before, but tonight he'd been nothing but

exit, we had to pass through the main hall. And there he was-Hayden, up on stage with Chadwick Hart-the Hart family head and Kylian. Chadwick was mid-speech,

like a whole different person.

people say that when someone gets rich and famous, they forget where they came from? Well, Hayden and I split ways right as he was rising up. And okay, maybe his new status wasn't the reason we ended things, but the guy on that stage? He was light- years from the Hayden I used to know. Now he was a total powerhouse, admired by everyone. And me? I was just... me. The girl with no family who left the