Page 134 of My Big, Fat, Hot Billionaire Enemy

The air crackles with tension. For a moment, I think he might actually lash out.

But he’s too calculating for a public brawl. He values the illusion of control too much.

“You’ve made your choice,” he spits out finally, his voice venomous. “Don’t come crawling back when she ruins you. You are officially disowned.”

He turns abruptly and walks away, Weiss scrambling in his wake.

Disowned. The finality of it all hits me.

Hedisowned me.

For a moment, the cold rage morphs into something resembling fear or sadness. My mother’s abandonment comes to the forefront of my thoughts.

But then anger takes hold again.

Fuck him. I don’t need him anyway.

I take a moment, reining in the rage, smoothing my expression back into impassivity before turning back towards the center of the room.

Lucy is watching me, her expression anxious.

I walk back to her side. “Let’s go,” I murmur bluntly.

“Go? But the party…”

“Is over. For us.” I take her elbow firmly. “We’re leaving.”

She doesn’t argue, sensing my mood.

We make our excuses quickly, nodding politely to acquaintances, ignoring the curious stares.

Outside, the air is cool against my heated skin. Victor has the sedan waiting.

Elijah holds the door while Lucy and I slide in.

As we pull away, I see the black SUV carrying Elijah and Maya fall in behind us.

Further back, another dark vehicle pulls out. Darius and Rebecca, Lucy’s dedicated shadow.

A necessary precaution. Paparazzi have photographed Lucy with me. That makes her a kidnapping target not just for my father, but the lowlifes who prowl these streets.

The ride back to the penthouse is silent. Lucy doesn’t pry. She just rests her head against my shoulder, her presence a quiet counterpoint to the storm still raging inside me.

The confrontation, the finality of the break… it settles heavily.

Upstairs, the penthouse is quiet, dim. The citylights spread out past the floor-to-ceiling windows like scattered jewels.

Without asking I pour us both a stiff drink. Scotch for me, wine for her.

She takes the glass, her fingers brushing mine.

“Thank you,” she says softly. “For… stepping in. But you shouldn’t have…”

“He threatened you,” I cut her off. “That’s unacceptable.” I take a long swallow of scotch. The burn is grounding. “He made his position clear after the board meeting. If I didn’t back down from this partnership... from you... he would sever ties completely. Tonight, he’s done it.”

Her eyes fill with guilt. “I don’t want to be the reason—”

“You’re not the reason,” I interrupt firmly, setting my glass down and turning to face her fully. “You’re the catalyst, maybe. The reason I finally stopped playing his goddamn games. But the break was inevitable. He can’t stand me building something he doesn’t control.” I look out at the city, then back at her. “I don’t think he’ll ever accept this, Lucy. Us. The partnership. He’ll keep coming. He’ll keep looking for ways to undermine it. To undermineus.”