Chapter 125
“Anthony, what brings you here in person?!”
There were plenty of people in the Blair family. No one expected Anthony himself to show up because of a school fight. Henry Dean suddenly felt like the ground had been pulled out from under him. All that bravado he’d been showing seconds before just vanished.
Anthony didn’t even glance at Henry. His cold eyes were locked on Steven, his presence towering and unyielding. He had a way of making everyone else in the room feel small, like he could crush them with a look.
When he finally spoke, his voice was low and smooth, with a warmth that was oddly out of place. “Of course I’m here. I’m here to stand up for my girl.”
Stand up for Andrew?
Steven felt a jolt of panic run through him. He’d never dealt with Anthony face to face before, but everyone in Cabinda, and even all of Astoria, knew his name. Anthony was ruthless, sharp, and impossible to cross without consequences. No one who had ever gone up against him had come out on top.
Steven forced himself to meet Anthony’s gaze. The man’s eyes were dark and unreadable, and Steven felt cold sweat break out down his back.
After a couple of tense seconds, Steven managed to pull together a shaky smile and tried to play nice. “Anthony, it’s an honor to finally meet you. I’m Steven, president of The Main Group.”
“I was just trying to discipline my rebellious daughter. Sorry for the scene.”
He started to pull his hand back, but Anthony didn’t let go. Instead, a dangerous little smirk flickered across Anthony’s lips, and his grip only tightened.
Steven inhaled sharply. His wrist, which had only just begun to recover after Charlotte had fractured it a few days ago, suddenly felt like it was being crushed all over again.
The pain was blinding. Steven’s face twisted, but he didn’t dare make a sound or let any hint of anger show. Anthony was clearly furious.
Steven’s heart thudded in his chest.
“This is all because I failed as a father. I promise, I’ll teach Charlotte a lesson. She won’t-”
A loud, sickening crack cut him off. Steven’s right wrist gave way.
“Ah-!”
He couldn’t stop himself from crying out. The pain was so sharp it drained all the color from his face.
Everyone in the room turned to stare at Anthony and Steven, stunned and confused.
Before anyone could react, Anthony
let go, taking the tissue Hans
handed him to casually wipe bis
hands. He had a small, almost playful smile, but there was something dangerous under it.
“Steven, is your hand alright? Next time, maybe don’t raise it so high. You might end up with a broken bone.”
Steven doubled over, sweating from the pain. He forced out a weak, trembling smile. “I’m… fine. Thank you for asking.”
Even if he wasn’t, he had no choice but to pretend.
Anthony’s lips quirked just a bit. He turned his attention to Charlotte, who stood off
to the side, head lowered, looking like she didn’t have a care in the world.
He looked her over from head to toe, taking in every detail, making sure she was unharmed.
Good. She was fine.
Charlotte felt his gaze and looked up, her eyes meeting his. There was something cool and clear in her expression, but also a stubbornness that matched his own. She stood a little straighter, blinked once but didn’t say a word.
Anthony couldn’t help the mix of frustration and fondness that crossed his face. She’d just been in
a fight but she didn’t seem scared at all. Where on earth did she get that fearless streak?
“So, what exactly did my girl do?”