Chapter 28
Evelyn’s words hung in the air, suffocating the room with their finality. Theodore and Vincent remained silent, their expressions darkened by the undeniable truth. She wasn’t wrong–the Sinclair family had lost its influence, while Adrian’s star was on the rise. With Vivian by his side,
his future was set.
“Mom, enough,” Adrian said, his voice taut. “Let’s just end this.”
He wasn’t looking at me, couldn’t look at me. I wasn’t sure if it was guilt, discomfort, or just impatience to move on to his next chapter. The wedding. The future he had chosen.
I’d spent years sacrificing for him, believing in him, only to be cast aside like an old accessory that no lon
suited his polished image. And now, they wanted to take half of what was rightfully. mine.
Evelyn, of course, showed no such hesitation. “Cassandra, bring out the dowry list. I know you’ve
so graciously agreed to leave you half, let’s split it now.”
hidden it. Since Adrian has ”
She wasn’t even trying to disguise her greed. I folded my arms, meeting her gaze with a calm I didn’t quite feel. “If you have a copy, why not just use yours? Why ask me?”
Her lips curled in irritation. “I told you to bring it, so do it. If you refuse, you leave with nothing.”
A muscle in Theodore’s jaw twitched. “You’re taking this too far.” His voice was dangerously low, but Evelyn didn’t waver.
I stared at the woman who had been my mother–in–law for a year, the woman I had cared for, respected, and supported. How foolish I had been to think that would ever be enough. My sacrifices had never been appreciated. My loyalty had never been valued.
It was time to stop expecting fairness from people who had none to give.
I took a slow breath and straightened my shoulders. If this was how they wanted to play, I would meet them on their battlefield.
And I would make sure I walked away on my own terms.
I held out the document, my grip firm as I extended it toward Adrian. “Here, take it.”
The dowry list hovered just inches from his chest, close enough for him to reach. Yet, he hesitated, his gaze flickering with something unreadable.
Evelyn’s sharp voice cut through the tension. “What are you waiting for? Just take it and divide what needs to be divided. This ends today.”
Adrian inhaled deeply, then finally reached for the list. But the moment his fingers were about to close around it, I yanked my hand back..
Fajes
1:16 PM c
Chapter 28
you doing, Cassandra?”
+8 Pearls
I tilted my head slightly, my voice deceptively calm. “Just wondering if you still have the nerve to take from me like this.”
His expression darkened. “Are you trying to make me fight you for it?”
I smiled, slow and deliberate. “I just want to see how quick you are, .” Before he could react, I tossed the list into the air.
Adrian lunged for it, his reflexes honed from years of discipline. He was fast–I’d always admired that about him. But as his fingers brushed the paper, a sharp gust of wind carried it higher, out of reach. Then, before he could recalibrate, a crimson silk belt flicked forward, wrapping around his wrist and yanking him backward. Off balance, he stumbled, his feet sliding against the polished marble floor as he crashed onto one knee,
A collective gasp filled the room.
In that instant, I moved. Using his own shoulder as leverage, I sprang upward, my body weightless as I soared through the air. With barely any effort, I plucked the list from midair before landing soundlessly a few feet away.
The entire room had fallen silent.
Even Theodore and Vincent, who had witnessed more than I could count, seemed taken aback.
Adrian’s stunned gaze locked onto mine. “You–when did you learn how to fight?”
I tapped a manicured finger against my chin. “Not very well, but certainly better than you.”
His jaw clenched. “That’s a load of bullshit.”
Anger flashing in his eyes, he lunged at me. I barely had to move to evade him, his punches slicing through empty air. Each miss fueled his frustration, his movements growing more aggressive, more erratic.
I stepped back, smirking. “Is this really the same man who once won a fightung championship?”
Adrian gritted his teeth and swung his leg toward me. Anticipating it, I pivoted smoothly, then flicked my wrist. The crimson silk unraveled from my waist, and with a graceful snap, I sent it forward, striking the leaves of the potted trees nearby.
With a controlled gust of air, the leaves lifted and spiraled toward him like tiny blades. Adrian barely had time to react. He raised his arms, attempting to counter with his own force, but he underestimated them. Thin slashes appeared along his hands, his cheek, the fine fabric of his
tailored shirt.
The injuries were superficial mere scratches but they were enough Enough to mark him
Chapter 28
| pjesnoj jou ojawes
him.
Theodore’s rich laughter echoed through the room. “Excellent! Well done!”
I straightened, rolling my shoulders back as I looked Adrian dead in the eye.
For the first time since I’d met him, he looked… afraid.
And I reveled in it.
