Chapter 38: You’re In Trouble
Violet’s head snapped back quickly, and she furrowed her brows when she came face to face with Dylan. His grip was strong and painful.
He stared at her with a cold gaze. "I knew this was you." he said, his eyes sweeping over her. He’d been about to enter the restaurant when he first saw her from afar. She’d been all dolled up, dressed in something that made her instantly unrecognisable.
"Let me go, you moron." Violet struggled, trying to pull away from him, but couldn’t.
"Why are you dressed like this? What is someone like you doing here?" Dylan asked, totally ignoring her demand.
When she noticed he wasn’t ready to let her go, she lifted her foot and stomped on his leg with brutal force.
Dylan yelled in pain, her pointed stiletto going through his shoe, a sharp pain shooting up. He lifted his foot and held onto it.
Violet massaged her wrist. "You must be stupid if you think I’m going to answer any of your questions." she spat. Had he forgotten she still had his phone? If those messages ever leaked, he would be ruined.
A few people walking in and out threw them curious glances.
Dylan finally placed his foot back on the floor when he noticed the curious stares. He stood straight, breathing through the pain, pressed his lips together, and moved his hands to smooth out his suit.
"You..." He pointed a finger at her face. She slapped his hand away and crossed her arms over her chest.
"Me what?" she asked, pushing her chest out confidently.
Dylan’s hand fell to his side. He gritted his teeth, trying to control the rage and embarrassment. He stretched out one hand. "My phone, now!" he demanded.
He’d completed his part of the deal, he’d sent her the money, what more did she want? He’d searched all over the city but couldn’t find her. It was as though she’d disappeared into thin air.
He didn’t let her speak before continuing. "And what are you doing here? This place isn’t for someone like you."
"If I were you, I’d watch what I say." Violet warned, her eyes flickering with something dark and dangerous.
"Oh please. You’re in bigger trouble than that. Do you think I’m the only one currently searching for you?" he asked, his lips curling into an amused smirk as he shook his head. "Harry has been searching for you too." he answered his own question.
Violet let out a small breath. "So?" she asked, completely unbothered by this new piece of information.
Dylan lifted a brow, thrown off by her nonchalant response. His eyes narrowed into a slit. "So?" he repeated. Did she not understand what he was saying? Why wasn’t she panicking?
She looked better than the last time he’d seen her. If he hadn’t previously known her, he’d have mistaken her for a woman of high society. Even the way she carried herself was different, and he didn’t like the confidence and elegance she now exuded.
But this was Violet, the same Violet he’d grown up with. The same girl who wasn’t even worth a hair on his head.
"So you’re in trouble. 200 million wasted on God knows what, you almost dragged me down with your stupidity and greed."
Violet merely rolled her eyes. She was already aware of this and still wasn’t ready to face her father. She was too busy to be dragged around over a measly 200 million.
"And don’t even think I’ve forgotten about my phone. Bring it out now, or I’ll take you straight to Harry." He would force her if that’s what it took.
These days he hadn’t been able to sleep or rest in peace. Stephanie would be back tomorrow, and he couldn’t leave any evidence of his infidelity lying around, especially not with Violet.
"I don’t have it with me right now." Violet lied. His phone was in her spatial inventory, and she could retrieve it anytime. But why would she hand over the leverage she had on him?
"Do you expect me to believe that?"
"What you choose to believe is your business." she replied. "Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’d like to be on my way." She turned around, ready to leave, when he caught her wrist a second time.
"I gave you an option. If you don’t have the phone, I’ll take you straight to Harry. You know your father, he wouldn’t care about some evidence of me cheating in the face of his 200 million."
Violet hated how right he was. Harry Sullivan would discard whatever she presented to him if it meant getting his money back from her.
Dylan began dragging her toward his car, parked some distance away. The path leading there had only a few people around, but he didn’t care, couldn’t care at this point.
Violet struggled, alternating between wiggling her hand free and hitting the arm wrapped around her with her free hand. But it was all futile. He was stronger than her.
When he reached his car, he tucked one hand into his pocket in search of his keys. His attention divided, his grip loosened. This gave Violet the chance to slip her hand out of his, and she took a step back.
The moment she did, he turned to her, ready to grab hold of her again. But she didn’t run, instead, the moment he got close, her hand collided with his face.
She’d channelled all her energy into the slap, which sent his face to the side.
His chest heaved up and down as he glared at her, shocked at her audacity, she had hit him. "You bitch. You dare raise your hand to me?" he demanded, lifting his own hand, ready to deliver his.
Violet didn’t flinch, she simply stared at him in challenge, daring him to hit her.
Dylan’s hand never came down, because at that moment, a balled fist slammed against the side of his face with full force, causing him to stumble backward.