Chapter 4

Touching the burning sting on my left cheek, I let out a hollow smile of pure disappointment.

Charlotte paused, a brief flash of hesitation crossing her features. Her hand hovered in the air toward my face, but stopped dead in its tracks.

A sarcastic smirk formed on my lips. "Apologize to this real kept-man? Over my dead body."

"Like I said, I came for a divorce, not a cheap soap opera."

Charlotte snapped:

"Logan, you're not getting a single cent now!"

"Security, throw him out!"

The guards burst in immediately.

"Charlotte, I—"

Before I could get another word out, heavy hands muffled my mouth, and I was dragged out through the front doors.

After being tossed onto the pavement outside, I sat near the curb under the guards' hostile glares and shouted:

"Charlotte! Just sign the divorce! I only want back the money I spent on you for four years!"

As long as she refused to answer, I would keep shouting.

She was the CEO of Hayes Corp now; public image meant everything to her.

Before I could shout much more, a separate group of burly, stone-faced bodyguards hauled me off and forced me into the VIP private room of an upscale downtown restaurant.

I knew who they belonged to: Julian Vance.

This entire venue was a recent gift from Charlotte to her golden boy.

The sole reason she bought it for him was that Julian loved the raw sea prawns served here.

After waiting for about an hour, the door clicked open. Julian strolled in, reeking of arrogance.

"Where's Charlotte?" I asked coldly.

Julian snorted. "You backwater trash, who do you think you are to demand an audience with her?"

Suppressing the boiling rage in my chest, I said, "I just want the divorce. Wire me the money I spent over those four years, and we're done."

"I don't give a damn how obediently you play her lapdog."

Julian's eyes twitched with annoyance, but a smug grin quickly replaced it.

"Charlotte actually had some delicacies prepared for you. Let's see if your palate can handle it."

"The prawns here are exquisite. Raw red prawns paired with vintage wine—an absolute delicacy."

Waiters filed in, setting two elaborate platters of raw prawns on the table.

The suffocating aroma of wine and raw seafood instantly made my stomach turn.

I clenched my fists. Over those four years, that helpless girl knew better than anyone that I had severe seafood sensitivities and couldn't touch alcohol.

Whenever she touched food, she insisted on thoroughly cooking it and tasting it herself before handing me a fork.

Now that she was cured, she wanted to use that to torment me?

The last flicker of warmth in my heart for that girl died completely.

Watching me remain completely still, Julian smirked.

"Logan, you keep crying about the money because you don't actually want a divorce, right?"

"A lowlife like you wouldn't pass up a golden ticket like this."

"Let me be clear: Charlotte Hayes is entirely out of your league."

"Tell you what. Take an extra five million and get the hell out of this city. Disappear forever."

My eyes were dead cold.

"Whatever Charlotte and I had was a farce. She took four years of my hard-earned savings, and I just want what's mine."

"Keep the rest."

"My family is here, my roots are here, and I'm not leaving."

Julian's expression darkened. "What if I force you to leave?"

I countered flatly, "A pet has no right to order me around."

Julian laughed coldly. "I've never failed to get what I want."

I stood up and made for the door.

With a wave of Julian's hand, several massive bodyguards shoved me hard against the wall, pinning my arms behind my back.

"Refusing to leave?"

"See, this is why peasants disgust me. Always so greedy."

"Since you won't take the easy way out, let's do this the hard way."

I struggled furiously, but against several trained brutes, I was completely powerless.

Julian's face morphed into a sadistic grin.

"Beat him. Break both of his legs first!"