Chapter 59 Chapter 59
Chapter 59 Chapter 59
The moment Tyler positioned himself before her, Sabrina felt the fog in her head begin to clear. His presence and fragrance were familiar but she was yet to sober up. It took a while before she managed to look up and register the face. She blinked repeatedly and the face finally pulled her back to reality. Then it hit her! It was Tyler standing before her. Her sneaky link turned situationship. The man who once humiliated her…who walked away with that unforgettable line:
“I’ll only marry a woman of class.”
Her stomach twisted and she jerked her wrist out of his grip, stumbling slightly.
“Don’t touch me,” she snapped, pushing him hard in the chest but Tyler didn’t budge.
“Let go of me you jerk! How dare you?” Anger flared in her blood as she struggled to escape from his hold. Before she could stop herself, her palm connected with his cheek; A sharp, loud slap echoed through the dim bar.
A few customers glanced over. Tyler slowly turned his head back to her. Strangely, he wasn’t angry or surprised. He looked rather amused.
He scoffed and stepped closer until she could feel his breath against her forehead. Then, in an infuriatingly calm gesture, he grabbed her hand and used it to rub the spot she slapped.
“What a mess you are,” he muttered, pulling her toward the barstool. “Sit.”
She tried resisting, but Tyler guided her down with ease, like he knew every move she would make.
“You’re drunk,” he said. “And stupid when you’re drunk.”
“And you’re still arrogant,” she bit back.
“That makes two of us.”
Tyler leaned, folded his arms, and studied her face.
“Let me guess…” he drawled. “Your sister made you angry.”
Sabrina’s lips hardened, she refused to confirm or deny it but Tyler could tell. He smirked “Thought so.”
Her jaw clenched. The humiliation from the dinner washed over her again, and her eyes grew hot with another wave of tears but she refused to shed them.
Tyler’s gaze sharpened, “You know,” he said quietly, “I admit I was a little bit harsh but you can’t blame me”
Sabrina turned her head sharply, to process his gibberish.
“But not to worry, I’m over Averie Quinn entirely. Whatever we had, dead and buried. The only thing I have left for her is revenge” His eyes narrowed, voice dropping deep with resentment.
Something inside Sabrina straightened at that word which made her lift her head slowly “Revenge?”
Tyler raised a brow.
“For turning me against my family. For lying. For setting me up and destroying the years I spent building trust with my grandfather.” The bitterness in his voice carried a weight that was impossible to ignore. And strangely, Sabrina felt seen. Understood even.
Her fingers curled into a small, trembling fist.
“Good,” she said quietly. “Because someone needs to bring her down from that fake pedestal.”
Tyler smirked “Now we’re getting somewhere.”
Tyler reached out and gently lifted Sabrina’s fist with his fingers.
“Then let’s work together,” he murmured. “For one goal.”
Sabrina swallowed “And what goal is that?”
“To take back everything I’ve lost,” he said. “And everything my brother has. Once her protector is down, Averie is down too”
She blinked blinked. “Darian?”
Tyler leaned back, confidence radiating off him.
“You haven’t heard? I’m not the loser you left behind. The branch I’m in charge of is booming. Investors are knocking. That YBH magazine cover?” He tapped his phone. “Did you see it?”
Sabrina nodded reluctantly “I did.”
“I’m on my way up. And once I surpass Darian, I’ll take over everything he has, including his place in the family.”
Her breath hitched “But… hasn’t your grandfather’s will locked things in his favor?”
Tyler gave a slow, calculated smile.
“That’s where you come in.”
Sabrina’s brows furrowed but Tyler continued, voice low and smooth.
“My grandfather’s assets will only go to the grandson who presents a complete family. Marriage, heir, and stability. The perfect picture in my old man’s term”
He leaned close enough that Sabrina could smell the faint cologne on his jacket.
“If you and I join forces, I can get the family image I need.”
“And what do I gain?” she asked and Tyler laughed.
“A chance to ruin the people who humiliated you tonight.”
With that, a slow, almost dangerous smile curled on Sabrina’s lips. Even if it means partnering with the worst person on earth just to ruin Averie, she wouldn’t mind and she just proved so.
“Fine,” she said. “Deal.”
BACK AT THE MANSION
Averie stepped into the quiet hallway, phone pressed to her ear.
“Thank you, Dr. Levie,” she whispered, relief washing through her. “You didn’t have to help me again, not after everything Sabrina did to you.”
On the other end, Dr.Levie sighed heavily.
“I’m done being Sabrina’s puppet. And honestly, Ms.Quinn, you were right. If she insists on leaking my past mistakes, I’ll turn myself in. Better that than living under her thumb again.” he said with a sigh “And then the cycle begins”
Averie bit her lip, a question she had been holding back because she didn’t want to be forward. “And… my mother? Is she okay?”
“Yes, your mother is safe. I moved her to a protected and more restricted floor. Sabrina won’t reach her again.”
Averie exhaled shakily “Thank you,” she whispered. “I can’t thank you enough.” Then she ended the call.
Turning around, she nearly jumped when she saw Darian standing with his hands in his pockets. His usual unfathomable expression was on and they were fixed directly on her.
As if he had heard everything…enough to make his suspicion grow sharper. The tension between them was thick.
Averie swallowed a dry sigh but Darian’s gaze didn’t waver as well.