A Vow of Deception, A Vow of Revenge novel Chapter 172

He pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead, then carefully slid his arms beneath her and lifted her with ease, cradling her against his chest as he carried her back to her bedroom.

As he laid her down softly on the bed, careful not to wake her, he heard her murmur in a sleepy whisper, "Elvis…"

"Yes?" he replied instinctively.

Thinking she might be waking up, he leaned closer, waiting to hear what she would say. But she simply turned over and slipped deeper into sleep, showing no sign of awareness.

So she was just talking in her dreams.

Was she dreaming about him?

A warmth spread through Elvis's chest, melting any last trace of restraint.

"Goodnight," he whispered, brushing a stray strand of hair from her cheek.

…

The day of the business seminar arrived. Tyson sat in the backseat of a sleek stretch limousine parked at the venue entrance. Across from him lounged Jude, completely absorbed in a noisy mobile game.

The game's sound effects were obnoxiously loud, but Tyson couldn't be bothered to tell him off. His gaze was fixed, sharp and unyielding, on the world outside the tinted window.

"Oh, come on, Mr. Goodwin," Jude drawled, barely glancing up from his phone. "You're going to see Winona sooner or later. Why the nerves?"

Tyson ignored him.

Jude's tone cooled a few degrees. "Getting you into this business seminar wasn't about playing matchmaker, you know. I pulled strings with my brother for this."

He really had—though he hadn't exactly humbled himself, he'd still had to plead his case, and after a long and tedious discussion, his brother had finally relented.

There was no way Tyson could have gotten in on his own.

"Don't worry, Jude," Tyson finally replied, his voice steady. "I won't squander this opportunity. I know what's at stake."

He was determined to prove himself—to become stronger, to be someone worthy of the name Elvis.

"Nona, I'm here for the seminar as well. I thought maybe we could—"

"Mr. Goodwin, are you planning to attend with my fiancée?" interrupted a cold voice.

Tyson froze, shoulders tensing as he turned to face the newcomer. His gaze darkened instantly.

Elvis.

Of course he was here. Of course he was at Winona's side.

Elvis stepped up beside Winona, close enough that the connection between them was unmistakable. They didn't touch, but the ease and familiarity in their posture spoke volumes.

Tyson's envy burned, hot and sharp. Not long ago, it was him who stood beside Winona. Him who shared in her world.

For a wild second, he wanted to throw a punch, to settle things right there. But common sense won out—this was the entrance to the seminar, with industry leaders from around the world arriving by the minute. He couldn't risk making a scene.

He forced himself to calm down, biting back the words he wanted to say, just as Elvis and Winona exchanged a knowing glance and headed inside together—leaving Tyson standing there, completely ignored.