Goodbye My Arrogant Ex (Marguerite and Leonard) novel Chapter 16

Benjamin instinctively stepped in front of Fiona, shielding her the way a mother hen would protect her chick.

Fiona clung to the back of his jacket, her head bowed low, trembling uncontrollably—she was clearly terrified.

Benjamin’s face darkened, his eyes stormy with frustration. He forced out a stiff apology, trying to defuse the tension. “Mr. Howell, I admit we were in the wrong, but I swear there was never any ill intent.”

He glanced at Fiona, his tone softening. “Fiona’s just a kid—she doesn’t know any better. Please, let me apologize to Ms. Howell on her behalf.” There was a pleading note in his voice, a desperate attempt to calm Matthew’s anger.

A cold, mocking smile played at the corner of Matthew’s lips as he looked at them with undisguised contempt. His voice was almost lazy: “If an apology was all it took, what would be the point of the police?”

He paused, his eyes flicking briefly to Fiona. “But I’m not going to make a big fuss over something so trivial. No need to bother the police with this nonsense.”

Benjamin’s jaw tightened, veins standing out on his forehead. He clenched his fists and met Matthew’s gaze with steely determination. “Mr. Howell, just tell me what you want. Name your terms—as long as it’s within my power, I’ll do it.”

But to Matthew, Benjamin’s words were worthless—empty promises with no weight at all.

Matthew’s expression turned ice-cold. With his back to his bodyguards, he slowly raised his arm and sliced it forward like a blade, issuing a chilly command: “Throw her out.”

The two bodyguards immediately closed in, faces hard and menacing.

Benjamin shot them a warning glare and gripped Fiona’s hand tightly, pulling her behind him as he backed away. He shouted, voice trembling with both anger and fear, “Don’t come any closer! I mean it—don’t make me fight you!”

He tried to reason with Matthew, voice pitched with urgency. “Mr. Howell, there are so many people here tonight. If this gets out, it won’t look good for you or your family business. Isn’t there a better way to handle this?”

The bodyguard who’d been kicked grimaced in pain but quickly scrambled to his feet, ready to give chase.

But Matthew raised a hand, his voice low and authoritative. “Let them go.”

After all, this was the Howell family’s event; causing an even bigger scene would only bring ridicule from their guests. There was no need to rush—he was confident he’d deal with the pair in due time.

He turned to Marguerite, his brow furrowing. “Apologies for what happened tonight, Ms. Taylor. My sister is about your size. I’ll have someone take you upstairs to change if you’d like.”

Marguerite shook her head. “That won’t be necessary. I’m here on behalf of the Taylor Corporation to deliver a gift.”

She glanced at Laura, who pulled a small box from her purse.