Enzo's face pales. "Scout, this isn't the place..."
"You’re nothing but a snake oil salesman, Enzo. And you made me feel small." My voice gets louder, stronger. "I worked so hard to build you up and to support your career. I tried to be everything you said you needed. I organized your schedule, managed your clients, handled every detail of your life so you could focus on work. Then you turned around and called me clingy."
Enzo’s eyes flash. "You're being emotional, Scout."
"The truth is that you never deserved me." The truth of it rings through my chest, settling into my bones. "If I hadn't been so young when we met, I probably would have seen right through your love bombing bullshit. But I was 20 andyou were 32, and you knew exactly how to make me think I was lucky you chose me."
Enzo's jaw tightens, fury flashing across his features. "You have no idea what you're talking about."
"I know exactly what I'm talking about." My hands are shaking but I don't care. "You wanted someone who would worship you, who would make your life easier. Someone who would never challenge you or ask for too much. Then the second I needed anything from you, I stopped being useful. And off you went, looking for someone new to suck down to the marrow."
“Scout.” Enzo licks his lips, noticing that everyone is listening. "That's not how it happened. Marriage isn’t for everyone."
"You're a liar and a manipulator, Enzo. I wasted three years of my life trying to be small enough for you to love. But the problem was never me. It was always you."
Silas hasn't said a word, but I can feel the tension radiating off him in waves. His hand stays on my waist, solid and grounding, letting me have this moment.
Enzo's face twists into something ugly. "You ungrateful little..."
"Watch your mouth." Silas's voice cuts through the air like a blade, deadly quiet.
"Come on." Enzo's tone shifts, trying for camaraderie. "We both know she's baggage. Nice girl, sure, but she's going to drag you down eventually. Just like Juliet almost ruined Hunter's career. Don't make the same mistake your brother did. You're smarter than that."
The red haze that crosses Silas's face would be terrifying if it wasn't directed at Enzo.
"What did you just call her?" Silas's voice is low and dangerous.
"I'm just being realistic. She's a distraction you can't afford. Drop her, sign with me, and I'll have you set for life."
I don’t even notice him moving at first. Silas's fist connects with Enzo's jaw before I can blink.
The sound is sickening. Bone on bone, the sharp crack echoing through the suddenly silent ballroom. Enzo staggers backward, hand flying to his face, blood already blooming on his lip.
Gasps ripple through the crowd. Phones come up, flashes popping. But I can't look away from Silas, from the fury radiating off him like heat.
Enzo roars, lunges forward with all the grace of someone who's never actually been in a real fight. His fist catches Silas in the ribs, sloppy and wild. Silas barely flinches, just grabs Enzo by the lapels and slams him back against the cocktail table. Champagne glasses topple, liquid spraying across white linen and expensive shoes.
"She isn't baggage." Silas's voice is a growl, low and feral. "She's the best thing that's ever happened to me. And you..." He draws his fist back again.
"Enough!" Hunter's voice cuts through the chaos like a blade. His hand clamps on Silas's shoulder, iron grip, hauling him back. Beck appears on Enzo's other side, captain authority radiating off him in waves.
"Off him," Hunter orders. "Now."
Silas releases Enzo, chest heaving. Every muscle in his body is coiled tight, ready to spring again.
Enzo straightens, trying to salvage his dignity while blood drips from his split lip. "You can't just assault me in front of witnesses, you idiot."
"You're fired." Hunter's voice is cold as January ice. "As of right now, you don't represent anyone on this team."
"You can't fire me. I've got signed contracts."
"Watch me." Hunter pulls out his phone, already typing. "Connor Li just dropped you. Shane Villarreal too. Check your phone in 15 minutes."
Silas steps closer, voice pitched low enough that only Enzo and I can hear. "The only useful thing you ever did was fuck up your marriage. Because you set Scout free. Now she's mine. And I'm not dumb enough to let her go. I'm not weak enough to throw her away the way you did."
The words land like body checks. I watch Enzo flinch, watch fury and humiliation twist his features into something ugly.
"Get out," Beck says flatly. "Trust me when I say that it would be a pleasure to have you removed."
