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Ellie felt the touch and turned. He was handsome, so she let her arms rest on his shoulders, letting the music guide their movements. His hands slid around her waist, pulling her in as they danced.
Sawyer’s entire face darkened.
Chapter 9 Jealousy
Jealousy struck him like a violent storm. His eyes locked onto the man’s hands—on Ellie’s waist, touching what was his.
A dangerous fury burned in his chest.
The next second, Sawyer pushed through the crowd, storming onto the dance floor.
Ellie didn’t even realize he was there until his strong hand wrapped around her wrist, yanking her away from the stranger.
"Hey?!" Ellie snapped, trying to yank her wrist out of his grip. "What the hell?"
He wasn’t supposed to be here. She couldn’t understand why he was at this bar. She hadn’t expected him to show up.
He dragged her off the dance floor, pulling her to a quieter area of the bar where the music was less deafening. Then, grabbing her by the waist, he yanked her close, his anger radiating. "What the fuck are you doing at a fucking bar alone? Do you even know that—" He glanced back toward the stage, his eyes seething as he locked onto that damn man. "That bastard’s hands were all over you?"
"Yes, obviously," Ellie snapped back, her voice dripping with annoyance. "I felt them. And I touched his abs. I was enjoying it, until you barged in and ruined it." She exhaled, frustrated.
Sawyer’s face darkened, already angered to the point of breaking. He grabbed her chin and forced her to face him, lifting her gaze to meet his.
"It hasn’t even been twenty-four hours since you asked me for a break up, and you're already hooking up with other men?" he growled, his voice seething. "Is it that you can’t stay away from men, or are you really that greedy that you'll dance with anyone just because he looks rich?"
Ellie remained unbothered, her face cold and calculating. The words stung, but she refused to show it. Instead, she looked at him with a cold smirk, her voice laced with disdain. "Yes, I will. So what? Do you want to take his place instead? How much are you going to offer me this time, Mr. Stark? What are you going to offer me to stay with you?"
Sawyer’s rage surged. His jaw clenched so tight it looked like it would snap. He opened his mouth to rip into her, but before he could say anything, a soft, girly voice interrupted them.
"Ellie, you’re here too?"
Ellie’s gaze darted behind Sawyer as Olivia’s familiar, annoying voice reached her ears.
Olivia appeared from the crowd, stepping toward them. She wore a tight purple dress with a plunging neckline, her heavy diamond necklace sparkling under the dim lights, adding to her flawless appearance. She fit right in at the expensive, luxurious bar effortlessly.
Olivia’s hand held a drink, and she glided up to Sawyer, standing right next to him. "I thought after taking the check from me this morning, you wouldn't show your face again. I'm surprised to see you here."
Ellie’s fists clenched tightly. 'This self-righteous, sweet poisonous snake is here again, trying to worm her way into my life.' Ellie cursed silently. She didn’t want to engage with Olivia, didn’t want to get caught in another confrontation.
Not wanting to start another fight, Ellie turned to walk away, but before she could take a step, Olivia blocked her path, standing right in front of her with an insufferable smile.
"Where are you going?" Olivia asked sweetly, her voice dripping with faux innocence. She suddenly turned to Sawyer, grabbing his arm. "You’ve lived with Sawyer for so long. I know that after getting the check, you must be feeling detached and sad, but I don’t want that. How about having a drink with us? Sawyer and I would be very delighted to have you join us. We would never want you to feel like you aren’t up to our standards.”
Ellie took a deep breath and rolled her eyes. "I’m not going to drink with you. We aren’t friends."
Ellie tried to walk past, but Sawyer’s voice halted her.
"I’ll pay you a hundred dollars for every glass of drink, then, Ms. Madden."
Ellie turned to face him. He looked at her with an angry smirk on his face.
"Since you aren’t a friend and we don’t have any relationship, the only relationship you have is with money, right? Then come on, a hundred dollars a drink. Grab a glass."
Ellie’s jaw clenched, her eyes flashing with fury. She closed them briefly, then gritted out, "You can keep your money. I don’t want it."
She turned to leave, but he barked at her.
"Five hundred dollars."