Chapter 149: I gave you a chance, remember?

George's eyes darkened, a sneer twisting his lips. "You know, I always thought of you as my good cousin. You said you wanted to get your foot in the door here and help me run the new business. I didn't hesitate to give you the VP title and let you handle company affairs. You even told me to treat Isabella right and not get too friendly with other women, worried she'd get jealous. I appreciated that, took it to heart."

Adrian set his wine glass down, stood, and walked toward George. "I haven't done anything to betray you."

"Betrayal? How about having the accountant cook the books and skimming company funds? How about using Depth Group's name to funnel business to your own company? How about creeping on my wife? Any of that ring a bell?" George grabbed Adrian by the collar, his glare fierce, a vein throbbing in his neck.

"I can explain."

George released him with a chilling smile. "Go ahead. I'm all ears."

Adrian swallowed, snatched up his wine glass, and took a long drink. "I borrowed the money, George. I'll pay it back ASAP. Transferring business? Never happened. We're family. Why would I do that? And Isabella? That's even more ridiculous. If giving someone a gift is hitting on them, then I guess I'm hitting on women every single day."

The explanation was so smooth, George almost clapped. "Slick. Real slick."

"George, you have to believe me."

George wanted to, but the evidence was stacked against Adrian. He could only trust what he saw. "For Damon's sake, I can pretend the company money was a loan. I can even let the business thing slide. But Isabella? Why drag her into this?"

"I swear, I didn't have any designs on her. It's a misunderstanding." Adrian insisted.

George pulled out a stack of photos and tossed them in Adrian's face. An hour ago, he'd hired Stellar City's best hacker to break into Adrian's computer and retrieve the incriminating evidence. Isabella's face was photoshopped onto a naked body. There were even more graphic images with Adrian's and Isabella's faces swapped. Adrian had been fantasizing about Isabella using her photos, yet claimed he had no interest in her.

Adrian's face paled. He knew he was caught.

"I'm sorry, George," Adrian stammered. "I just…lost it for a second. I had a really bad breakup, you know? It messed me up a little. Please forgive me. I won't do it again. Please don't tell my dad. I'm begging you."

"I already gave you a chance. Remember?" George's voice was ice. He didn't buy the act. After the last party, he'd spoken to Adrian, telling him that some of his behavior with Isabella made him uncomfortable. Adrian had ignored him, pushing his boundaries even further. He'd disrespected not only George, but the entire Spencer family.

"I thought you were kidding at the party," Adrian pleaded. "I didn't think anything of it. This time, I get it. Come on, we're cousins. We shouldn't let a woman come between us."

"Kidding?" George undid his cufflinks, a sneer playing on his lips. "So, in your world, a cousin's wife is fair game?"

"No! I didn't mean it like that. It was just a stupid impulse." Adrian glanced at the photos scattered on the table. "George, for old times' sake, can you just let this one go?"

"Not a chance." George shook his head. He never wavered. Once he made a decision, it was final, especially when it came to betrayal from family. That he couldn't forgive.

Adrian knew the power behind George's fists. Three years in that hellish place had forged him into something hard and unforgiving. When George decided to take action, it wasn't a game. One punch could put Adrian out of commission for weeks.

Outside, Adrian's friends pressed their ears against the door, wincing at the sounds of thudding blows and shattering glass.

"He's really going at him. Isn't Adrian his cousin? That's brutal."

"Dude, Adrian was messing with George's wife. He deserves it."

One man spat. "Plenty of fish in the sea. Going after your cousin's wife is just messed up."

"He probably didn't even get anywhere with her before George found out. I hear she's stunning, though. I can see how someone might be tempted."

A particularly slimy guy chuckled, only to get smacked upside the head. "You got a death wish? Don't even think about George's wife."

The door swung open.

They scrambled back as George emerged, his clothes immaculate, as if he'd just stepped out for a leisurely stroll. Adrian, however, wasn't so fortunate.

The men exchanged grim glances. Adrian was going to be feeling that for a while.

Sitting in his car, George wiped the blood from his knuckles with a wet wipe. His phone buzzed. It was Caleb. He wouldn't call during George's downtime unless it was important.

"What's up?"

"Mr. Spencer, Clayton's joined forces with Garrett's crew. It's not looking good."

Garrett Morgan, a notorious pirate, operated in international waters. He'd tried to hijack George's fleet several times, but never succeeded. Once, George had turned the tables on him, nearly costing Garrett his life. He considered George his sworn enemy.

"Keep eyes on him. Report any movement immediately."

"Understood, Mr. Spencer."

Driving back to Spencer Manor, George's mind raced. The Spencer Group was navigating choppy waters, and with problems constantly cropping up, he barely had time to think about Isabella. He'd been staying away because he'd been coughing up blood at night. He didn't want her to see him like that, didn't want to worry her.

He felt like a failure as a husband. He owed Isabella so much, in both body and soul. He couldn't ignore his health any longer. There was too much left to do.