er 94: Slapstick Diplomacy-1
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Damien rose instantly, positioning himself firmly behind Maya, a silent shield. Harper and Ashcroft moved to flank them, muscles tense, ready for any sign of trouble.
James and Lee, nearby, sensed the shift in energy and quickly closed the distance, forming a tight barrier around Maya.
The air thickened-this wasn’t just a confrontation; it was a warning.
Ethan faltered, words failing him. “Maya… I… I just-”
She held up a hand, cutting him off.
“Just what?!” Her voice was low, but edged with fury. “You know what-save it. I’ve tried being civil since day one, but you keep pushing. Crossing every damn line. You’ve put me in uncomfortable positions since the moment you arrived, and not once did I stoop to being rude to you. But now? You insult the people I care about. You don’t get to do that, Ethan.”
Her eyes hardened, voice cold and steady.
“We went to the same university for a year-so what? Just because you ‘saw’ a sliver of
vulnerability in my life doesn’t mean there’s some special connection between us. There isn’t.
ח
She drew a slow breath, locking eyes with him.
“You’re an old schoolmate. An acquaintance. Nothing more. If you can’t accept that, stay a stranger. I didn’t reciprocate then, I don’t now, and I won’t ever. Whatever respect I had for your is gone.”
Her tone was calm but final.
“So please, Mr. Miller-respect my space. Stay away.”
For a brief moment, hurt flickered in Ethan’s eyes before hardening into something colder,
sharper.
“Why? Is it because I’m not as good as Damien Blackwood?” His voice dripped with venom,
each word deliberate.
Then came a mocking laugh, cruel and contemptuous.
“You think he’s perfect, Maya? He’s not. A man with blood on his hands and shadows at his back-shadows that will swallow you whole.”
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Chaplet 14. Slapitek Impluntary. T
He leaned forward slightly, eyes narrowing, voice taunting.
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“You honestly believe you can survive in his world? If it’s just his money you’re after, I’ve got money too-more than enough to give you every shallow little dream you’ve ever wanted.”
A sly, venomous smirk tugged at his lips.
“You don’t need to cling to him like some desperate ornament-unless, of course, you’re addicted to the way he fucks you, to the tricks he uses to keep you moaning in his bed. Tell me, is that-”
SLAP!
Before he could finish, Maya’s hand shot out-sharp, fierce, and stinging-landing squarely across Ethan’s cheek.
The room went silent, the echo of the slap lingering.
Maya’s eyes burned with resolve. Her voice was low, ice-cold.
“How dare you! Let this be the first and last time you disrespect me like that. You don’t get to decide what I want, who I choose, or how I live-and you sure as hell don’t get to insult it. Stay the hell away from me, Ethan-or next time, it won’t be just a slap.”
Her words hung in the air, leaving no room for argument.
Ethan froze, Maya’s voice cutting sharper than the sting on his cheek. The bravado drained from his face, replaced by raw hurt, regret, shame. His eyes wavered, searching hers as if hoping to reclaim some fragment of the past.
“I… didn’t mean-” he started, voice low and pleading. But the words died when Damien’s shadow fell over him.
Damien stepped forward-cold, precise, merciless. His fist shot out like a striking viper, smashing into Ethan’s jaw with a bone-crunching crack. Ethan hit the floor hard, gasping, every instinct screaming that he had crossed someone not to be forgiven.
Gasps rippled through the room-eyes wide, hands flying to mouths. Every heartbeat synced with the raw intensity of Damien’s fury.
Maya’s hand flew to her mouth, eyes wide, heart racing-shocked, yet comforted by his protective rage.
Harper’s brows shot up, lips curved in a devious smile.
“Hell yeah… ruthless as ever. That’s how you do it,” she muttered.
Cedella
Cedella is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella’s storytelling style is immersive and addictive—perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.