Bryan
A knock sounded at the door.
"Lord Bryan," Phillip called.
"You can come in," I replied curtly, adjusting my white sweatshirt.
Phillip entered, bowing slightly before speaking. "Doctor Jason has arrived. He's attending to her wounds now."
I nodded, waiting for him to continue.
"Also, Mr. Lewis is here. He's seated on the balcony, waiting for you."
"Tell him I'll be there shortly," I instructed, zipping up my sweatshirt and pairing it with my ripped black jeans.
Walking to my jewelry drawer, I picked my most expensive necklace, the one with my name engraved on it, and fastened it around my neck.
Satisfied with how I looked, I strode out of the room, each step deliberate and commanding.
Mr. Lewis rose to his feet when I entered the balcony, extending his hand for a handshake.
I ignored it, sitting in the chair across from him.
"Where's the money?" I asked without a preamble.
"Here it is, Lord Bryan."
Phillip stepped forward to take the briefcase from Mr. Lewis and began counting the cash.
"It's all here, Lord Bryan," Phillip confirmed.
I gave a small nod, and Phillip left to handle the other side of the transaction.
"Lord Bryan," Mr. Lewis began, a sly smile playing on his lips, "have you heard the latest news?"
I frowned. "If you have something to say, say it. Don't waste my time."
"Well," he said, smirking, "it seems Logan Norwich is stirring things up. His goods are now twice as cheap as yours, and most of your buyers are switching to him. Even Jonah Mick Lory has started working with him."
A wave of anger rolled through me, my fists clenching.
Phillip returned just then with the briefcase containing the goods Mr. Lewis had paid for.
"I'll take my leave now," Mr. Lewis said with a mocking smile.
"Always a pleasure doing business with you, Lord Bryan." He bowed slightly before walking off, his men trailing behind him.
I stayed seated, my mind racing.
Logan Norwich!
"That bastard," I hissed under my breath.
Phillip stood nearby, watching silently. He probably knew I was on the edge, but it didn't matter.
My anger needed a release.
Without warning, I turned and swung a fist at him, landing a solid punch on his cheekbone.
Phillip stumbled backward, hitting the tiled floor hard as blood trickled from his mouth.
"Arrgh! That daring Logan Norwich!" I shouted, pacing back and forth. My hands trembled with rage.
Phillip wiped the blood from his mouth as he stood. He didn't complain. He knew better than to speak when I was like this.
The ringing of my phone broke the tense silence. Phillip handed it to me, careful not to make eye contact.
I glanced at the screen and froze. Logan Norwich.
Logan Norwich
"Hello, Bryan," I said the moment he answered. His silence on the other end was enough to tell me he was furious.
"Logan Norwich," he hissed through gritted teeth.
"Hi there, old friend," I said mockingly. "I'm guessing you've heard the news by now? How does it feel to lose to me for once?"
"What do you want, Logan?" he snapped.
I chuckled, enjoying his frustration.
"Oh, nothing much. Just thought I'd remind you of all the good times we had in high school. Remember how every girl I liked always chose you instead? And then, the cherry on top—when you slept with my girlfriend and sent me that video. That was a real masterpiece, wasn't it?"
"That was years ago," Bryan growled. "You're still holding onto this grudge?"
"Oh, I'm not just holding onto it, Bryan. I'm acting on it. I told you I'd get back at you one day. And here we are."
"You're trying to ruin my business over some petty revenge?" he asked, his voice cold and sharp.
"Petty?" I laughed.
"You have no idea what's coming. Watch your back, Bryan. I'll make sure you regret every single thing you did to me. And the best part? You won't even see it coming."
Before he could respond, I ended the call, satisfaction coursing through me.
Bryan Chapman had hurt me once, but now it was my turn to destroy him.
Rukky Donald
"What? Why would they do that to you?" Anna asked, her voice tinged with frustration as she sat beside me on her bed.
"I don't know," I said with a sigh. "It's just so unfair."
"You're beautiful, Rukky," Anna said, trying to console me.
"You dress well, you have curves, and you've got everything going for you. That rich guy should've picked you, not your stepsister."
I rolled my eyes. "Exactly. But no, my parents had to ruin everything by pushing her into his arms."
Anna clicked her tongue in irritation. "Your step sister? Seriously? She thinks she's better than you just because her hips are a little bigger. It's disgusting."
"She's so full of herself," I muttered, my fists clenching at the thought of her smug face.
"Do you have any plans to get back at her?" Anna asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
"No," I admitted, shaking my head. "But I'm not giving up yet."
Anna leaned closer. "Wait a minute. Do you know who this guy even is?"
"Of course I do," I said. "His name is Bryan Chapman. He's the leader of the dance crew Brym's Vibe."
Anna's jaw dropped. "Bryan Chapman? Are you serious? I've been crushing on him for years!"
Her excitement irritated me.
"Will you stop acting like a child?" I snapped.
"What's your problem?" she shot back. "It's not like I'm trying to steal him from you. I'm just a fan of his crew."
"Fan or not, you need to back off," I said, narrowing my eyes at her.
Anna smirked. "Oh, please. You think he's going to notice you? Keep dreaming."
Her words stung, and before I knew it, I slapped her hard across the face.
Anna's eyes widened in shock, but she recovered quickly.
She lunged at me, her fist connecting with my nose.
Pain exploded across my face as we tumbled off the bed, clawing and hitting each other.