Return of the Crowned Heiress

Chapter 243

Why did this feel like a scene straight out of a soap opera?

Felicia stood behind Arnold, who was now caught in the middle of what could only be described as a standoff. The two men stared each other down, one icy and composed, the other visibly seething. The tension was thick enough to cut with a knife. Despite the gravity of the situation, Felicia found her thoughts wandering to the cliché plot of two men fighting over the same woman. It was absurdly amusing.

Clearing her throat, she decided she wanted no part in this drama. "Gentlemen, enjoy your conversation. I'll be going now."

Without hesitation, she turned and began to walk away, looking unbothered and unapologetic.

Arnold, however, stayed firmly rooted, his protective stance unwavering. Facing the man before him, he gritted his teeth and demanded, "Who are you?"

The figure before him was undeniably commanding, a paragon of authority and refinement. Though he spoke indifferently, his display was oppressive, like a predator eyeing prey.

Arnold had faced formidable opponents before, but never had he felt such an overwhelming sense of danger-not from Matthew or Mike. Instinctively, he took a step back, sweat trickling down his spine.

Stephan chuckled softly, his disdain cutting deeper than any words. His laugh seemed to say, "You're not worth my time."

before he could touch him, a sharp

hard floor unforgiving against his back. Pain radiated through his body, and humiliation surged as he realized

shoe stepped forward, stopping inches from Arnold's face. Stephan loomed above him, radiating

a finishing blow, a frantic voice

"Stephan! Please spare him!"

over. His

slightly. He said in an ingratiating tone, "Stephan, I apologize for my nephew's impudence. Please don't hold it against him. If you injure him, I won't know how to explain it to the family!" Stephan shot him a look that could freeze fire. "Keep your

I will. He'll be properly disciplined!" Mike patted his chest, his

and left

that had filled the hallway lifted the moment he was gone. Mike exhaled

Arnold, Mike

his feet, wincing as pain shot through his back. His expression was as dark as a storm cloud, and he ground his

his expression, Mike snapped, "Stop sulking! Do you have any idea how close you were to getting yourself

enough to make even Mike tread so carefully? The realization hit him like a bolt of lightning as he recalled

Arnold asked, a flicker of fear creeping into his voice. Could it really