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Dante stiffened at the words.
‘If you walk out that door, then we’re done. We won’t have anything to do with each other anymore.’ Anya’s voice echoed in his mind, repeating over and over again since the moment he’d stormed out of the restaurant.
His chest tightened. He grabbed the bottle and poured himself another glass—this time to the brim.
He downed it in quick, harsh gulps, but the pain in his chest only grew more intense.
Just then, the door opened and Jennifer walked in. Hands clasped behind her back, she leaned close to Dante and spoke quietly.
“Mr. Kingsley… it’s about Ms. Anya and Mr. Stanson,” she said softly.
Dante’s head snapped up. His brows furrowed.
“What about them?”
“They’re attending an auction together tomorrow evening,” Jennifer replied. “Since you’d asked me to report anything involving the two of them, I came right away.”
“Auction?” Dante repeated, eyes narrowing. “What kind of auction?”
“It’s a high-profile diamond auction, sir. Exclusive entry. Requires a female companion for attendance.”
Dante’s jaw clenched. His glass cracked slightly in his grip, but he didn’t let go.
“They’re going together?” he asked again, just to confirm.
“Yes, sir.”
A muscle ticked in his cheek. His knuckles turned white.
“You will go with me tomorrow,” he said coldly. “Call whoever you have to—make it fast.”
Jennifer gave a crisp nod. “Understood, sir.”
Raiden snickered, swirling the amber liquid in his glass. “So you're stalking her now? After throwing a tantrum and swearing you’ll marry someone else just because she had lunch with another man? What’s next—want to be the third wheel now?”
Dante’s grip tightened. He slammed his glass down hard enough to make the bottles rattle on the table. “If anyone’s a third wheel, it’s that bastard Luca!” he snapped, his voice laced with venom. “He’s the one always hanging around her like a damn leech!”
Adrian shrugged and said casually, “By walking out when she gave you the chance to marry her, and then making it clear you didn’t want to be part of her ‘harem of men’—you practically handed her over to Luca.”
Dante’s eyes snapped to Adrian, furious and pissed off.
Adrian smirked, taking a sip before twisting the knife just a bit deeper. “So brother, now you’re just the guy watching from the sidelines. A third wheel who won’t leave his ex-girlfriend alone.”
Dante’s chair scraped violently against the floor as he stood up, the screech piercing through the music.
“Fuck!” he hissed under his breath before stomping out of the bar.
The door slammed shut behind him.
Behind him, the three men snickered under their breath, smug smirks and knowing glances shared between them as they watched him go.
Chapter 21 We’re over!
“I feel so nervous,” Anya muttered, her fingers fidgeting on Luca’s arm. “This is going to be my first appearance as someone’s partner at a business auction.”
Luca gave a soft chuckle and patted her restless hand. “Don’t worry. I’ll be with you the whole time.”
Anya looked up at him, her wide eyes filled with unease. Her silver gown shimmered under the soft chandelier lights, hugging her delicate frame and exuding elegance with every step she took. Her hair was styled into a sleek bun, a few loose strands framing her face to soften the look. She looked stunning, but the anxious glimmer in her eyes betrayed her discomfort.