Chapter 99
Ethan Sullivan stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, the cigarette between his fingers burned down to the filter.
He never imagined things would turn out this way.
Evelyn Laurent's past was like a blunt knife, sawing relentlessly at his heart.
"So..." Oliver Valentine cautiously broke the silence. "Who is she really?"
Ethan's Adam's apple bobbed as ash fluttered from his cigarette.
"Evelyn Laurent."
The name slipped out like a sigh, freezing the entire private room in an instant.
Xander Quincy's glass slammed onto the table with a crack, amber liquid splashing onto his designer suit. "Your fiancée is the one you've been searching for?" His eyes widened in disbelief. "This is too..."
Oliver's face turned ashen. "Did you tell her about Cici?"
Ethan silently crushed the cigarette butt, the ember leaving a searing mark on his palm.
Oliver sucked in a sharp breath.
Game over.
He could already picture Ethan kneeling on a bed of nails begging for forgiveness.
Someone as proud as Evelyn would never accept being a stand-in.
Even if the stand-in was the original.
"Just go after her," Xander drawled, crossing his legs. "The engagement's already in place."
Ethan's gaze turned glacial.
"I won't force her."
Each word dripped with ice.
Xander shrugged with feigned nonchalance. "Suit yourself." He swirled his drink with a smirk. "Not like I've ever had to chase—"
CRACK!
Ethan's fist smashed into the coffee table.
A spiderweb of fractures spread across the glass.
"Say one more word."
Xander shot to his feet, face darkening. "Have you lost your damn mind, Sullivan?"
Oliver hastily stepped between them. "Both of you, calm down!"
Ethan gave a cold laugh before yanking Oliver backward by his collar. "Let's settle this."
The hum of machinery echoed from behind a hidden door.
Xander tore off his tie and followed. "Bring it on!"
Oliver's wail trailed down the hallway. "I don't want to referee—"
FVossrescent lights flickered on in the shooting range, illuminating three men squared off like dueling pistols.