"Say it."
"Miss Ross's partners... they're holding emergency board meetings." Evan's voice went quiet. "Stock prices are affected. They're... They want Miss Ross to pay damages."
"How much?"
"Current tally... four million in reputational damages, plus breach of contract penalties..."
"Nine million eight hundred thousand total." The words ground through my teeth. I threw the tablet on the desk. The glass shattered completely.
"Contact PR immediately. Suppress this nationwide. Especially clarify my relationship with Victoria. Redirect media attention." I fired off orders. "Find the source of the leak. Have legal prepare to sue."
"Yes."
I grabbed my coat and strode toward the door.
"Where are you going?"
"To her."
Pack, Father, duty... nothing would stop me from reaching her now. No more hesitation.
I would stand firmly by her side. She was my only answer.
The car tore through the streets. My hands gripped the wheel so tight my veins stood out. Those vicious comments kept replaying in my head.
Evan had already tracked Layla's location—her studio. She must be drowning in this mess.
Faster. Come on, faster. Kayden, get to her.
I'd lost count of how many red lights I'd run. I pressed the accelerator harder. The engine roared as I pushed the speed to the limit.
This was all my fault.
If not for me, she wouldn't be caught in this storm. She could still live peacefully. She wouldn't suffer for me again. She didn't need me—I was the one who stubbornly needed her. After losing her, I'd lost all color. I was the one begging her to love me again. And I'd destroyed her life.
Again.
The car screeched to a halt outside the studio, tires shrieking against pavement.
I shoved the door open—
Layla stood at the studio entrance, about to leave. Several men surrounded her, swaying drunk.
"Ella Ross?" one of them said, voice dripping with obscenity. "So you're the homewrecker."
"Pretty hot though." Another looked her up and down, gaze crawling over her body. "No wonder you hooked up with Blackwood."
"Wanna try with us?" The third reached for her face. "Maybe we're better than those rich guys..."
Layla jerked back, but hit the wall. Trapped.
My blood boiled instantly. Gold burned in my eyes. My wolf raged, ready to tear through every restraint, lunge forward, and rip out their throats. I couldn't control it—my mouth opened, fangs beginning to shift.
How dare they...
How dare they touch her...
Protect your mate... tear them to pieces!
