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Christian’s jaw clenched, and Larry spoke up first, "Nothing, man. Just a dog barking."
Adrian and Christian were familiar with each other, having shared a similar background for years. Adrian knew that Christian, though rough around the edges, wasn’t one to start chaos without a reason.
Adrian glanced briefly at Ryan, his gaze cold. "Get out of here. You’re not welcome at my party."
Ryan, wiping blood from his mouth, looking startled and frustrated. "Mr. Vaughn, I was invited by your company to—"
"Get. The. Fuck. Out." Adrian’s cold command sent a chill through the room, and Ryan froze, his bravado crumbling. He quickly turned and stormed out of the venue, humiliated.
Larry let out a relieved breath. By the look on Christian’s face, it was clear—if Ryan had stayed, he wouldn’t have walked out on his own legs, or maybe ever again.
"Moron," Larry muttered under his breath, shaking his head. "Insulting Christian’s wife. Did he think he’d get away with a slap in the face?"
Adrian raised his eyebrows in surprise. “Wife?”
Larry glanced at Adrian, finally returning his attention to him, and nodded. "He got married recently. The party will be later."
Adrian smiled, though it was more of a confused glance. "Just for a woman, this much anger?"
Larry almost spat out the drink in his mouth, and Christian shoved Adrian—not aggressively, but lightheartedly. "Stop talking."
“Don’t say that unless you want to end up like Ryan,” Larry warned, shooting Adrian a knowing look. “If his wife is involved, you’re done for.”
Adrian let out a laugh, baffled by the intensity of it all. He couldn’t grasp what was so special about a woman as a wife.
Meanwhile, Ryan limped out of the party, his face bruised and swollen. Guests glanced his way, murmuring as they took inhis beaten-up appearance. But instead of leaving the venue, his sharp gaze scanned the crowd, searching. Then, he found her—the woman in the green dress.
With determined steps, anger coursing through his veins, he marched toward her. The moment he reached her, he shoved her hard without a word.
Ivy stumbled forward, her balance slipping, and in the next second, she plunged into the large swimming pool.
A loud splash echoed through the night.
Guests gasped, some letting out startled cries as Ivy plunged into the large swimming pool.
Ryan smirked, watching her struggle to stay afloat, then turned and strode out of the party.
Christian, hearing the commotion, glanced toward the source of the noise. His gaze landed on the water, catching a glimpse of green fabric floating. Then, he saw Ryan walking away.
The glass in Christian's hand slipped, crashing onto the floor and shattering. Without wasting a second, he bolted.
Christian didn't waste a second, diving in immediately. He swam toward her, his arms breaking through the water as he reached her flailing figure. She gasped against his chest, coughing as she clung to him.
The moment they reached the edge, he lifted her out of the water. Ivy coughed violently, struggling to catch her breath. She couldn't swim—she would have drowned if Christian hadn't come in time.
Christian cupped her face, his thumb brushing away droplets of water clinging to her skin. “Are you hurt? Can you breathe properly?” His voice was tight with worry.
Ivy nodded weakly, coughing up more water. "Better," she whispered.
Without another word, Christian stood up and swept her into his arms, striding out of the party. He got into the car and instructed the driver, “Take us home.”
Inside the car, he pulled her onto his lap, holding her close against his warmth. The trembling in her body slowly subsided. He didn't speak a single word throughout the ride, his arms securely wrapped around her.
When they reached home, he carried her inside, setting her on the bed before heading to the closet to get her dry clothes.
As Ivy fumbled to remove her wet dress, Christian helped her, his fingers quickly unzipping the fabric and loosening her damp hair. Once she changed into her nightgown, he gently cupped her face, standing between her legs as she sat on the bed. Tilting her chin up, he met her eyes.
His eyes roamed over her features, searching. “Are you alright now?”