Anna’s POV:
Maxwell shoved me toward the two men, his voice
cold
as he commanded, “Don’t go overboard, just take some intimate photos and send them to me?–
Before I could react, the men grabbed me. One seized my arms while the other started unbuttoning my blouse.
I fought back with everything I had, but the strength difference was too obvious. My sleeve tore, exposing my shoulder as I struggled.
The man I’d hit earlier sneered, “Not so tough now, are you?”
Maxwell’s voice dripped with fake concern. “Anna, try to understand. I can’t let you ruin my brother. If you really care about Seth, don’t fight this. I don’t want you hurt – we have history, after all.”
“Fuck you!” I spat. “What history? You disgust me!”
The man I’d struck tried to slap me, but his partner stopped him.
“What the hell are you doing?” the first man growled. “The bitch needs to learn some respect!”
“Calm down,” the second replied. “We need intimate photos, not assault pictures. You want to turn ‘consensual‘ into ‘forced‘?”
My eyes darted to the bottle on the table while I tried to cover my exposed shoulder with my free hand. If they went any further, I’d fight to the death. No way in hell would I let them take advantage of me.
Maxwell noticed my glance at the bottle. “Anna, don’t try anything stupid. You’re one woman against two men. You can’t win.”
“Maybe not,” I said through gritted teeth, “but anyone who touches me will pay. I’ll make sure you rot in prison for this.”
Maxwell and his goons just laughed at my threat.
Despair washed over me. Words meant nothing against brute force. Since dad died, I’d learned just how cruel the world could be. All my clever tactics were useless against raw power.
“I don’t have to do this,” Maxwell said, leaning closer. “Promise to stay away from Seth, and we’re done here. Otherwise, this can happen again anytime I
want. You can’t stop me.”
I thought about Seth, about how vulnerable he was. Sending him to New York was just a distraction so Maxwell could get to me.
“You’re such a great brother,” I said, my voice dripping with contempt. “Seth trusts you completely.
In a split second, I managed to free one hand and grab the bottle from the table. I smashed it and pressed the jagged edge against my own throat.
I’ll handle things with Seth myself,” I said, feeling a trickle of blood run down my neck where the glass had already cut me. “I promised him I’d stop fighting my feelings and let things happen naturally between us. You think I can’t fight back? Let’s test that. I’m betting my life against your brother’s hatred. Are you ready to pay that price?”
The two men immediately backed away, clearly not wanting to be involved in a potential death.
I locked eyes with Maxwell, a mocking smile on my face despite the danger. His expression darkened, lips pressed into a thin line.
‘Let me go, I demanded coldly.
Maxwell’s face went through a range of emotions. I could almost see his thoughts: worrying about my injury getting worse, about Seth’s reaction if he found out, about how Blake would respond and what it would mean for their families.
“You don’t need to pull this dramatic stunt,” Maxwell finally said. ‘Women and their emotional blackmail I’ve seen it all. Look, you and Blake are over, and your family’s not around. I get that you need someone to lean on, but my brother is off–limits. Just tell me your price.”
1/2
Chapter 186
Sounds like I’m not leaving until I name a figure, I said, still holding the glass to my neck. ‘How much are you offering?”
He smirked. “I knew you needed money. If you’d been this reasonable earlier, we could have avoided all this unpleasantness.”
Inside, I was seething. When my parents were alive, the Andersons and Prices were old family friends. Now I saw the truth about such friendships
‘Come closer,” I said, lowering my voice. “I’ll tell only you.”
Maxwell leaned in. ‘How much?”
I want… I whispered, then suddenly grabbed his hand and placed the bottle in it, forcing it toward my throat. “I want you to go down with me!”
He jerked back instantly, dropping the bottle. “Shit! You fucking crazy bitch!”
I’d been pushed to my limit. It was terrifying – if Maxwell had reacted too slowly, I might have really hurt myself. But I had to show him I was deadlier than he was. Either he backed down, or I’d make sure neither of us walked away.
The commotion drew attention. The director burst in, taking in the scene: two men cowering in the corner, Maxwell shaking, and me bleeding.
“Mr. Price, what’s… well, these things take time,” the director said awkwardly. “There’s no rush, right? Building relationships takes patience. It’s getting late – I should take Ms. Anderson to the hospital, and you can connect another time.”
I refused his helping hand and stood on my own, facing Maxwell.
“You make my life hell, I’ll return the favor,” I warned. “Keep coming after me if you want. I’m ready.”
As I headed for the door, Maxwell called after me, had feelings for someone else.”
“Wait
–
one question. Do you love Seth? Enough to die for him? That’s strange, because I remember you
I turned back. “Maxwell, my life is none of your fucking business.”
In the hallway, I felt dizzy from blood loss, steadying myself against the wall. The director followed, apologizing for bringing me there.
I swung my purse at him. “Get away from me!”
I didn’t trust him anymore. I was done being manipulated.
I hailed a cab, though the driver hesitated at the sight of my bloody neck. “It’s just a scratch,” I assured him, and he reluctantly let me in.
At the hospital emergency entrance, a familiar figure caught my eye.
Scarlett was crouched by the door, clutching her stomach and speaking into her phone.
“Blake, my stomach hurts so bad. Can you come pick me up from the hospital…?”
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