Chapter 226 Declared war
“Back when we met in middle school, she loved being with me. She’d follow me around every day, clinging to me. She went wherever I went and never wanted to be apart from me. Oh, right...” Cole seemed to remember something.
Right in front of Stephan, he gently held up a string of sandalwood beads he was wearing on his wrist.
“This string of beads on my wrist is a birthday gift from Alana. She climbed so many steps to a temple to pray for me. She went to such great lengths to obtain this string of sandalwood beads to ensure my
health, safety, and good fortune, but would she be willing to do the same for you?”
“Of course. It’s not just this string of sandalwood beads; she’s given me many, many other gifts with all her heart.”
“So, Mr. Hudson, you should be able to see clearly which of us holds greater importance in her heart.”
Stephan couldn’t help but let his gaze fall on the string of sandalwood beads Cole wore on his wrist, his eyes growing even colder.
Sandalwood beads?
So she went to such lengths to get this for him?
Stephan’s expression remained unchanged, but his fists were clenched tightly, his inner turmoil intense.
His thin lips twitched. “So what? It still doesn’t change the fact the man by her side right now is me, not you. At the end of the day, you’re nothing more than a defeated opponent of mine. She doesn’t love you anymore so what right do you have to act so arrogant in front of me?!”
Upon hearing this, Cole’s expression darkened instantly.
The sliver of connection he’d taken pride in with Alana had been shattered by Stephan’s offhand remark!
Unable to keep his composure any longer, he gritted his teeth and demanded;
“What are you after by being with her? Is it for her youth? For her beauty? Are you willing to give her a future? If not, I beg you to leave her alone. She’s not the kind of woman who’ll let you trample on her feelings so casually! One mistake and you’re out!”
Stephan curled his lips and replied calmly, “I’m dating her with the intention of marrying her. As long as she’s willing to marry me, I can take her to the civil affairs bureau to get a marriage certificate in no time.”
Cole retorted coldly, “You may be willing to marry her, but in a wealthy family like yours, will your parents accept her? If Alana marries you and faces your parents’ disapproval and opposition, she’d be unhappy all her life so it would be better to let her go sooner rather than later!”
Stephan gave a forced smile. “How do you know my parents won’t agree? My parents might even be quite pleased with her. As for you, in what capacity are you demanding that I let her go?”
Cole clenched his fists. “At this point, I consider her as family.”
Stephan sneered, “Do you consider her family, or do you have ulterior motives toward her? We’re both men here...why are you playing her savior to me?”
Upon hearing this, Cole dropped the pretense and stated his intentions bluntly, “Fine, I like Lin Yuan! I want her back. I want to marry her and give her a stable home!”
Stephan’s gaze grew dangerous and fierce. “Cole, you’re trying to steal my woman right in front of me? Do you really think you have the right to say this to me?!”
Cole’s met his gaze head-on. “I’m simply confessing my feelings.”
Stephan’s thin lips twisted into a sneer. “So what? What makes you think you have the ability to compete with me? The nerves of you!”
Come remained expressionless. “In that case, let’s compete on equal terms! I won’t give her up to you! I believe I’m better equipped than you to make her happy!”
Stephan narrowed his dark eyes dangerously and spoke coldly, “Ridiculous. You won’t even get the chance!”
Cole replied, “Opportunities are created by people!”
Instead of getting angry, Stephan smiled. “Are you declaring war on me?”
Cole nodded. “You could say that.”
Stephan curled his lips in disdain. “You really enjoy being the other man, don’t you?Too bad, in my eyes, you don’t even have the qualifications to be a male mistress!”
Cole clenched his fist, the veins on his arm bulging taut.
A male mistress?
That cut deep into Cole’s heart!
If the man standing before him weren’t Stephan Hudson, he would have been fully capable of using threats and bribes to force him to give up Alana.
But as it happened, this man was someone so powerful that he was no match for him!
But... he wouldn’t give up so easily.
Cole curled his lips. “You and Alana are just boyfriend and girlfriend. You’re not
married, it’s not legitimate. Even if I were to pursue her, I wouldn’t be considered a homewrecker.”
Stephan laughed in exasperation. “What the hell do you mean, ‘not married’ and ‘lacking legitimacy’? A homewrecker is a homewrecker! Trying to justify yourself won’t change a thing! Don’t worry. On the day Lana and I get married, I’ll invite you to sit at the head table and witness our happiness!”
“You!” Cole stood up in a rage, his eyes bloodshot, desperate to strangle the man
standing before him.
Stephan raised his gaze to meet Cole’s, his eyes sharp and menacing, as arrogant and defiant as ever.
Their gazes locked in mid-air, clashing fiercely, neither willing to back down!
A waiter stood a short distance away, holding two cups of coffee, trembling uncontrollably and too afraid to take a single step forward.
Cole’s chest heaved violently as he ground out the words through clenched teeth. “I’ll say it again: I won’t give up easily. Mr. Hudson, let’s call it a day. This coffee is on me. Take your time drinking it...I’ll be on my
way!”
With that polite farewell, he stood up and left.
Stephan stared at Cole’s retreating figure, a cold smile curving his lips, his eyes radiating a fierce, murderous intent.
It was clear that the fucking Cole had a death wish.
*************
Alana returned from the restroom just as Cole was coming down the stairs.
Cole was still seething with anger. When he saw Alana appear, a flicker of surprise crossed his eyes. “Lana?”
Why was she here too?
Didn’t Stephan just say that she didn’t know about tonight’s plans?
Alana was also surprised. “Cole, what are you doing here...”
Cole couldn’t help but step closer to her, his eyes brimming with a mad, obsessive intensity. “Lana, break up with your
boyfriend and be with me, okay? You two aren’t right for each other at all. He’s just playing with you. A man from a family like his has absolutely no future with you. Break up with him now!”
Alana was baffled by his words. Why was he suddenly saying this?
“Cole, what... do you mean by that?”
Eve was still waiting for Alana to return.
Just as she saw Alana coming out of the restroom, Cole had already cornered her.
“What’s going on?” She was just about to step in to help, but another figure beat her to it.
Seeing that Alana didn’t believe him, Cole couldn’t help but grab her shoulders
and continue, “Lana, I’m serious. Do you know that your boyfriend is...”
Before he could finish, a fist slammed hard into his face.
Cole was forced to let go of Alana. He staggered back a few steps, then looked up to see that Alana was already being held protectively in Stephan’s arms.
The thought of that girl who used to cling to him and adore him, now held in another man’s arms...
Cole’s felt his blood boil instantly, and his eyes gradually began to turn crimson.
Alana was equally stunned when Stephan pulled her into his arms.
“Stephan, how could you...”
Seeing the bewildered look on her face, Stephan’s eyes darkened. “I’ll explain later.”
He turned his gaze to Cole, his eyes cold and piercing.
“Stay away from my woman, if you want to stay alive. This time, it’s a warning. Next time, it won’t be just a simple warning!” With that, he bent down and gently ruffled Alana’s hair with his large hand. “Good girl, let’s go home.”
Then, he leaned down and, right in front of Cole, kissed her fair forehead.
A silent provocation!
Cole watched the scene, it felt like an arrow had been shot into his chest.
Alana bit her lip. With the back of her head firmly held by the man, she didn’t move. She could feel the force and intense possessiveness of his thin lips pressed against her forehead.
She had no idea what had just happened, nor why the two of them were at such odds. But in this moment, she decided it was best to say nothing.
Stephan released her, his gaze sweeping over Cole, who had gone completely rigid. A cold smile touched his thin lips, and he immediately wrapped his arm around Alana’s waist, striding away.