Chapter 114
Chapter 114:
“How tacky p>
“And wearing it to the charity gala? Bold p>
Seraphina was shaking now. Real fear replaced her act. She looked at Liam, pleading with her eyes.
“Liam, please. They’re framing me p>
Liam looked at the dress. He looked at the tablet Harper was holding. He looked at Skye, standing there in her tuxedo like a judge and executioner.
He realized, with a sinking feeling in his gut, that Seraphina was lying. Again.
He took a step away from Seraphina. It was a small step, made awkward by his injury, but it was a chasm.
“Did you take it?” Liam asked, his voice low.
“I…” Seraphina stammered. “I just borrowed it! It was just sitting there! Skye wasn’t using it! Why should it go to waste p>
The admission hung in the air.
Ethan Vance threw his head back and laughed. “Borrowed! Did you hear that? She borrowed the family heirlooms p>
Skye took a step closer.
“Take it off, Seraphina,” Skye said. “Or I call the cops for grand larceny. That dress is worth more than your entire life’s earnings p>
“You can’t be serious,” Liam hissed, trying to regain control of the spiraling situation. He grabbed Skye’s arm, pulling her slightly away from the center of the circle. “You want her to strip in the middle of a ballroom? Have some dignity, Skye p>
Skye looked down at his hand on her tuxedo sleeve. She didn’t pull away immediately. She just stared at it until, unsettled by her cold gaze, he let go.
“Dignity?” Skye repeated. “You brought a thief to a charity event, Liam. You paraded your mistress in my stolen clothes. Don’t lecture me on dignity p>
“We can handle this privately,” Liam urged, sweat beading on his forehead. “I’ll buy the dress from you. Double the price p>
𝖴𝗇𝗆𝗈𝖽𝗂𝖿𝗂𝖾𝖽 𝖼𝗁𝖺𝗉𝗍𝖾𝗋𝗌 𝗈𝗇 𝖻𝖾.𝖼𝗈𝗆
“It’s not for sale,” Ethan interjected, stepping up beside Skye. “And neither is her pride, Kensington p>
Liam turned on Ethan, his frustration boiling over. “Stay out of this, Vance. This is between me and my wife p>
“Ex-wife,” Ethan corrected. “And as long as she’s standing next to me, it’s my business p>
Liam shoved Ethan. It was a hard, aggressive push, but Liam’s balance was compromised. The force of the shove sent a jolt of pain through his ribs, and he staggered.
Ethan, who had been waiting for an excuse, didn’t hesitate. He swung.
His fist connected with Liam’s jaw with a sickening thud. Liam, already unstable on his injured leg, crumpled backward. He crashed into a waiter holding a tray of champagne flutes.
Glass shattered. The crowd screamed.
Security guards began to rush in from the perimeter.
In the chaos, Seraphina saw an opening. Her mind, panicked and desperate, latched onto a plan. If she was the victim, Liam would have to save her.
She reached up and grabbed the delicate strap of the emerald gown. With a violent yank, she ripped it. The sound of tearing fabric was swallowed by the noise of the scuffle.