Chapter 32

“I’ll go with you,” Owen said, standing up.

Hailey gave him a look, amused. “It’s the women’s restroom. How exactly are you planning to go with mer

Owen considered this, then shrugged. “I’ll walk you to the door.”

She sighed, shaking her head. “Fine.”

The two of them left the table.

The Calhoun estate was massive, with multiple restrooms scattered throughout. Owen led Hailey to the one on the first floor, but as they neared the door, a muffled groan came from inside.

They both stopped and exchanged a look.

Owen’s expression hardened. Without hesitation, he strode forward and kicked the door open. The heavy door slammed against the wall with a loud bang.

He moved with a sharp precision that was impossible to ignore–quick, efficient, and effortlessly cool. But this was hardly the time to be admiring him.

Inside, Christopher lay sprawled on the floor, drenched, his body twisted at an awkward angle. His face was bruised, his eyes dull and full of despair.

There was another man in the restroom–the same one who had left the table earlier.

He, Dorian Calhoun, was from a branch of the Calhoun family, which meant Owen couldn’t deal with him as freely as he might have wanted.

He had his foot planted on Christopher’s face. His thick jowls quivered with excitement as he pressed down, clearly enjoying the power trip.

At the sudden interruption, the man jerked his head up. His eyes widened when he saw Owen. “Owen-”

Without thinking, she lifted the hem of her dress, took two quick strides forward, and drove her foot straight into Dorian Calhoun’s gut.

The force of the kick sent him sprawling backward, crashing onto the floor with a thud.

The sharp clack of Hailey’s heels echoed in the silent restroom as she stepped closer, towering over him.

A slow, almost amused smile curved her lips. “Does it feel good? Bullying someone weaker than you?” she asked, voice dangerously soft.

Dorian groaned, clutching his stomach. When he looked up at her, something in her expression made his breath hitch.

Hailey tilted her head, then pressed the pointed toe of her heel against his cheek, grinding it. “Pathetic,” she murmured. “This is the best you can do? Maybe I should show you what real strength looks like.”

Dorian’s left cheek throbbed with pain as if the skin had been scraped raw. He wanted to say something–anything–but the sheer force of Hailey’s gaze left him speechless.

an unmistakable wave of fear through him. For Hailey,

foot, she slipped off her high heel. The sharp heel

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Chapter 32

noticed the shift in her mood long before this.

he saw her slipping off her shoes,

Owen’s voice was calm,

hers, steady and unyielding. Hailey exhaled, her grip loosening.

she

stepped toward Christopher, who was still on the floor.

had taken a serious beating–his face was bruised, swollen,

moving, lifting Christopher

leg as she studied it. “How many surgeries have

eyes

+5

them both to the hospital. It’s your grandmother’s birthday–we

her for a long moment before

Dorian to be taken out through the back. Hailey and Owen followed

Owen seemed in a

thought

hospital, doctors patched up his wounds, but

beside him,

If I can fix your leg,” she said, tilting her head, “you have to promise me something.”

playful, but something about it pulled

at

was still wearing that same white dress. She smiled–bright, effortless, almost

lips curling into a bitter

world–class specialists couldn’t fix me. And she thinks

make a bet. If I fix your leg, you work for me–no questions asked. If I fail, I’ll personally protect you. No one will ever lay a hand on you again.”

and resources–things

she knew Christopher didn’t need wealth. He needed someone in

had been

a way, she was protecting the version of herself

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Chapter 32

much older

course, he wanted a

a small

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