Chapter 116
Chapter 116
+25 BONUS
Kris’s hand quivered, his breath coming out shakily as anger rushed through him. He hadn’t considered Karen as a possible culprit since she had nothing to do with the fashion world, but what Alden was saying made a lot of
sense.
He immediately jumped off his stool and grabbed his bottle. Bringing it to his lips, he chugged the remaining beer, his grip tightening around the bottle as he wished it was Karen’s neck so that he could strangle the hell put of it.
“Where are you going?” Alden asked, holding him back as Kris was about to storm off.
“Do you really need to ask?” Kris sneered.
“Touché.” Alden nodded. “You’re going to confront Karen. Fine, but give me the keys. I’ll drive. You’re drunk.”
Kris glared at him. “I’m not drunk.”
As much as he’d wanted to drink himself into a stupor, he knew he needed a clear head to think, which was why he’d opted for beer instead of whiskey.
The bartender, who had obviously been listening to their conversation, chimed in. “He’s right, Alden. He only had two beers; it’s not that bad.”
Alden wasn’t disuaded, turning back to Kris. “Even two beers can make you tipsy, and in your emotional state, you’re in no condition to drive. Besides, I didn’t even finish my drink so I’m in a better condition to drive. Just give me the keys, dude.”
Kris scowled but dug his keys out of his pocket and tossed them at Alden.
“Hurry up,” he commanded, turning to storm off.
“Whatever you say, my lord,” Alden muttered.
They reached the Miller Mansion a few minutes later. Alden followed Kris inside, wanting to make sure he didn’t do anything reckless.
Inside, Karen and Tessa were sitting on the floor, playing Tessa’s favorite game of Lego. The nanny was seated on a couch nearby. Karen’s eyes lit up when she saw Kris.
“Look, Tes! Daddy is here.”
“Daddy!” Tessa squealed, but she didn’t leave her game.
“Hello, sweetie,” Kris cooed as he approached, his anger momentarily forgotten as he took in his daughter’s happy smile.
As much as he wanted to give her a kiss, he didn’t want the smell of alcohol on his breath to linger in his daughter’s memory.
“Sweetie, why don’t you go play in your room with Boatemaa?” he suggested gently, running a hand through her hair. He signaled for the nanny to come over and take Tessa away.
The nanny obliged, gathering Tessa and her Lego and carrying her upstairs.
“Our daughter… she really loves her Lego, doesn’t she?” Karen chuckled, looking at Kris as if she expected him to laugh too. “By the way, where’s your mom, your siblings, and your aunt? Didn’t they-”
Before she could finish, Kris grabbed her roughly by the shoulders, glaring at her with his furious eyes. “How dare
1/2
Chapter 116
you?”
Karen’s eyes widened, fear evident in her eyes. “What have done?”
“It was you. You paid that model to destroy Thalassa’s collection, didn’t you?”
“Thalassa’s collection was destroyed?” Karen asked, her eyes widening in shock.
+25 BONUS
“Don’t pretend like you don’t know what I’m talking about” Kris sneered, squeezing her shoulders even tighter. “I really don’t know what you’re talking about,” Karen insisted, trying to free herself. “Why would I sabotage Thalassa’s collection? What would I gain from that?”
“Don’t give me that,” Kris gritted our, shaking her violently. “You wanted her to hate me even more so she’d never forgive me. But you’re coming with me right now to confess that it was you.‘
He released one of her shoulders and began dragging her by the other. Karen wrestled herself free. “Kris, why should I confess to something I don’t know anything about? I swear I don’t know anything about this. I didn’t even know what had happened until you just told me.”
Tears began streaming down her face. “I know you think I’m the worst woman you’ve ever met, but I’m not a monster like you think. Why would I do anything to Thalassa after she freed me from jail?”
“Because you’re nothing but a backstabbing, horrible bitch,” Kris growled, grabbing her shoulders again and
mouth.” shaking her even more violently. “I don’t believe a word that comes out of your
Karen’s voice trembled as she cried. “Please, Kris, stop. You’re hurting me. Let go,”
Watching everything unfold, Alden felt Kris was going too far. He quickly intervened, grabbing Kris by the arm. ” You’re hurting her, Kris. Stop. Let go of her, man.”
“I’m not letting go. She needs to come with me and confess to Thalassa that she’s behind everything,” Kris snarled.
“Yes, but what’s the chance Thalassa will believe you? And remember that everything I told you was just a suspicion. What if it wasn’t Karen after all?”
Kris hesitated, still gripping Karen while she cried in pain. Alden tried to pry Kris’s hands away, but it was no use.
“Kris, this isn’t you. You’ve never treated a woman like this before. What’s come over you?” Alden stared at him like he couldn’t recognize him?
His words were enough to bring Kris back to his senses, and he finally let go of Karen. Alden was right. He had never handled a woman like this before, but Karen brought out the worst in him.
“You’re too upset right now, Kris. Let’s just go and deal with this later when you’re calmer,” Alden reasoned.
“I swear it wasn’t me, Kris. I-” Karen began pleading again.
“Shut your mouth!” Kris snapped, startling her into silence. Then he stepped closer, his voice calm yet cold. “I’m going to get to the bottom of this, and if I find out you had anything to do with it, not even our daughter will save you this time.”
With that promise, he shoved her away and stormed out of the house, Alden following.
