The Blackmail Bride

Chapter 27 Part 2

My head feels heavy.

History

What a disaster.

I wasn't sure why over everything, disappointment seemed to surface over all other emotions.

In our world, power and wealth drove everything. I had seen two extremes as a result...

The cold and manipulative type such as my Grandmother and Jace Black. Traits that were driven by the pull to stay on top of such world.

Then there's this guy in front of me, who seemed to have gone mad trying to climb to their spots.

Power. Wealth. Prestige.

As hypocritical as it seemed, I didn't want part of both. However, give it a few years and I knew in which category I was most likely to fall in.

"Zeke Garcia," I told the madman, "quit acting so pathetic in front of your enemy. I don't care."

My heels clicked as I twisted away from him— My hands lifted to cover my face in time, a scream trapped in my throat.

Glass shattered right in front of me in a loud crash. Shards scattered all over the floor right at my feet.

Zeke Garcia's laughter boomed across the empty corridor.

I whirled around, breathing heavily. Sure enough, his hand was empty of the long-stemmed glass.

"What in the world is wrong—"

"She was my fiancée too."

"—with you?" I drew back. His words sinking quickly to fit the puzzle that was in my head.

I didn't care. I shouldn't ask. It was only the sudden fright that held me immobile as I stared at him.

Lies, my mind snickered. You want to know.

"Claire Smith was my fiancée too. Didn't know that, did you?" Zeke's expression settled into a nasty smile, "But of course, the Blacks did a great job covering up that scandal. It's mostly just the Nero Hotel team that knows of it now. Didn't you ever wonder why the board favors me over that product of nepotism?"

"You're right," my low reply came with a touch of anger, "I don't know what you're talking about. But what I do understand is that your board is incompetent for putting personal feelings over capability in selecting its officers. May I leave now?"

"Personal?" Zeke spat out those words in disgust, "You're willing to marry Jace Black. There's a reason for his reputation, Miss Porter."

I flicked blue eyes at his unkempt appearance, "Why should I listen to you?"

"Because Jace stole her from me!" Zeke shouted out desperately. "On the exact day of our engagement party! Aren't you seeing a pattern here? I forgave her the first time and it's happening again!" His fingers went into that mass of dark hair and he started pulling. Distress bled into every action, every word.

Give me a break.

I wanted to close my eyes and rub my temples. There should be a limit of how much burden was added unto a person in a day. Happy birthday to me. I remember the day in the elevator. Zeke Garcia was arguing with Claire Smith. If he put things this way, the puzzle was clearing even further.

"I don't want to hear anymore," I said.

Frantic eyes took in my face. In subconscious action, he took steps forward and I took steps back.