The heavy glass doors of Harry Winston shut behind them, cutting off the suffocating tension of the store.
Anissa and Clara walked down the busy sidewalk of Fifth Avenue. The. massive, matte -black armored SUV was idlingat the corner, its enginea low, vibratinghum.
Before they could reach the vehicle, the sound of frantic, heavy footst eps slapped against the pavement behindthem.
TAnissal"
Connor burst out of the jewelry store. He pushed violently through a group of tourists, ignoringtheir angry shouts. His eyes were bloodshot. His chest was heaving He looked like a desperate gambler who had just watched his last chipget sw ept off the table.
He lunged forward, reachinghis good hand out to grab Anissas shoulder, He never made it
Caleb st epped out from the blind spot behind the SUV. He moved with termfying mechanical speed. Caleb's massive hand clamped down on Connor's shoulder. He twisted his body, using Connor's own momentum against him and slammed him face-first into the brick wall of the adjacent building
Connorlet out a choked gasp as the air was forced from his lungs. The heavy plaster cast on his broken wrist scraped violently against the roughbrick
"Mave a muscle and | break your collarbone,” Caleb growled, his voice a low, gravelly threat
Connorwas pinnedfiat against the wall, but he twisted his neck, his wild eyes locking onto Anissa, He was breathing hard, his mind completely fractured by the reality of her wealth
“You did that on purpose" Connor shouted, spit flying from his lips. "You boughtthat men's jewelry justto rubit in my face! You'retrying to make me jealous!”
Anissa stopped walking She turned around slowly
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CO: 5% +120 Points at most She stared at him Her stomach gave a slow, sickeningehum 1 ne sheer magnitude of his delusion was actually difficult to process. He genuinely believed thai every move she made, every dollar she spent, was somehow centered around him.
Anissalet outa short, dry laugh, She raised her hand, signaling Caleb to ease his gripjust enoughso Connorcould speak.
Connor took a ragged breath. He straightened his ruined suit jacket, incrediblytrying to adopt a posture of superiority while pinnedto a wall. “Listen to me," Connorsaid, his voice droppingto a desperate, bargaining tone. Tí you take those sapphires back right now... if you refund the money and givethe cash to me, | can fix my accounts. Do that, and will seriously consider letting you come back to me.”
Clara stood next to Anissa. She opened her mouth, stuck her finger down her throat, and made a loud, aggressive gaggingnoise.
“Is his brain leaking out of his ears?" Clara asked loudly. Is it filled with Manhattan sewer water?"
Anissaignored Clara. She took one st ep forward. Her white stiletto heel clicked sharply against the asphalt. She looked at Connorwith eyes so cold they could freeze boilingwater.
“Connor" Anissa said, her voice perfectly level. ‘Did the doctor who set your wrist forget to scan your brain for severe trauma?”
She reached out with her left hand. The massive, flawless diamond of her wedding ring caught the sunlight flashing brilliantly in his face. She gently, mockingly patted his cheek The physical contact was an act of absolute degradation.
“Look at me.’ Anissacommanded, her voice droppingan octave. ‘lam the Matrierch of the Snow Empire. According to the family tree, you are requiredto address me as Auntie”
The word Auntie hit Connorlike a baseball bat to the stomach,
1 t was a brutal, undeniablereminder of his new reality. He wasn't the heir anymore. He was the exiled n ephew.
“You don't even have a keycard to the Snow estate anymore,’ Anissa continued twistingthe knife. What exactly are you offering me? Alife on the run with a man who can't even afford a necklace for his mistress? Are you goingto protect me with your broken arm?"
All the blood drained from Connorsface. His lips trembled, but no sound ‘came out.
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< Chates2: 5 +120 Points at most Just then, Melody came jogging out of the jewelry store. She was carrying three cheap shoppingbags, her highheels clickingfrantically She saw Connor pinnedto the wall, beingverbally eviscerated by his ex- fiancée. A massive wave of panic hit Melody. Connorwas a hollow shell, but he was the only shell she had. If he completely lost his mind over Anissa Melody would be back to auditioningfor dog food commercials. Melody instantly plastered a look of de ep concern on her face. She ran up and grabbed Connofsgood arm, pulinghimaway from the wall. “Come on, baby," Melody cooed, shooting a venomous glare at Anissa. “Let's go. Don't waste your breath on this crazy woman.”
Connor felt Melodys hands on him. It made him feel pathetic. He violently yanked his arm out of her grip.
“Get off me!* Connorroared, his face twistingin humiliation
Melody stumbled backward, her heel catching on a crack in the pavement. She barely caught her balance. Her fingernails dug so hard into her paims that they drew blood. She looked at Connor's back, her ‘eyes narrowinginto slits of pure calculation .
Fine Melody thought to herself. I'm throwingmy birth control pills down the toilet tonight Once fm pregnant with a Snow baby, the old man will have to pay me off.
Anissa watched the two of them turn on each other lie starving rats. It made her skin craw!
She turned around and reached for the heavy door of the SUV.
“If you ever st ep into my line of sight again, Connor” Anissa said over her shoulder, will tell Hardingto break your other hand."
At the sound of Harding's name, Connor flinched violently. Pure, instinctual terror flashed in his eyes. He took a physical st ep backward. Clara followed Anissa toward the car. As she tumed to follow Anissa, Clara let her heavy leather handbag swing'accidentally', catching Connor squarely inthe ribs.
"Oops," Clara sneered, not botheringto look back.
Connorsface twisted with humiliated rage. The physical impact knocked himback a st ep, but his bruisedego couldn't take another hit He reached out and aggressively shoved Clara's shoulder with his good hand. ‘Watch it, bitch” he snapped. Clara stumbled backward, her arms flailing wildly to catch her balance. The sudden, violent scuffle caused the unmarked 604% 1547 wl
xi š +120 Points at most black paper bag in Clara's hand to slip from her trembling fingers.
The bag fell. It hit the heavy metal cap of a red fire hydrant. The force of the impact against the hydrants metal cap was too mucht the paper bag rippedwide open
Anissa turned her head just intime to see the bag explode.
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< Marrying My Exs Powerful Bilonaire Uncle #2 +120 Points at most