Steven’s face turned dark and dangerous. He seized the man’s wrist in one swift motion and barked, “Let go!”
“Tell Finn to get out here!” the man in the suit growled, veins bulging across his forehead.
But instead of backing down, he deliberately tightened his hold on Tess in defiance. “Come on. Let’s see who breaks first–me, or this bitch-”
“Argh!”
A fist materialized out of thin air, sending him sprawling before anyone could blink.
The man crumpled to the floor, clutching his face as stars spun wildly overhead.
A stunned silence fell over the room as all eyes snapped to the newcomer.
Abel stood there, jaw clenched tight, his features carved in fury. He poised like a panther mid- pounce, the residual tension in his frame making even his elegant features seem secondary to the raw, predatory energy rolling off him.
“Uncle Finn can’t even keep his damn company in check now? Since when does just anybody get to barge in and throw shit around?”
His tone could’ve frozen hell.
Tess stumbled back, finally freed from the man’s grip. She stared at Abel as if seeing him for the first time.
She’d never seen him like this before.
Abel now carried a kind of deadly sharpness that unmistakably echoed Finn. It was hard to reconcile this version of him with the cheerful, easygoing boy she remembered.
Nadine’s expression curdled.
Not him again!
The man on the floor blinked rapidly, trying to steady himself, still reeling from the blow.
“You…
He lifted his head, ready to spit venom, only to choke on it as Abel’s fierce gaze locked onto his.
Who the hell is this guy?
Then the word “Uncle Finn” registered. His eyes flew wide in disbelief.
He’s Finn’s nephew?
But… that couldn’t be right. No one had ever mentioned Finn even had a nephew.
His gaze darted to Nadine, her stony confirmation sinking his stomach.
It was true. Fuck.
“Are you alright?”
He turned to Tess, the fury in his eyes melting into concern–a transformation so stark it left her momentarily speechless.
Steven observed the exchange from the sidelines, his gaze lingering on Abel with quiet assessment before looking away.
Tess gave a slight shake of her head, and Abel’s shoulders relaxed visibly.
The reaction was instantaneous. Onlookers–whether they were passersby, the man’s accomplices, or Lock Group’s employees–stared at Tess, their expressions shifting to something uncomfortably judgmental.
So Tess was that kind of woman?
Tess lifted her eyes, locking onto Nadine with icy precision.
“Even if I am, do you really think taking me would make Finn come running? You’ve made the wrong bet. In a city as vast as Aetheris, I’m nothing more than a speck in his eyes.”
She made no effort to explain or defend herself. Instead, a razor–edged smile curled her lips. “See that woman over there? She’s the one who holds Finn’s heart. Nadine, my dear sister, I’ve cleared the path for you. Don’t waste it.”
The implication was razor–sharp. Dozens of eyes swiveled to Nadine, their gazes ricocheting between the two women as if watching a riveting stage play.
Nadine’s ears rang. For once, her silver tongue failed her.
She watched Tess, confusion flickering behind narrowed eyes.
The Tess she remembered was decisive at work but always muted, almost submissive when it came to Finn. When had she grown such fangs?
Nadine clenched her teeth, her mind a blur.
“Make way!”
Zane’s commanding voice boomed through the crowd.
Everyone turned toward the sound as he shouldered through the gathering, flanked by two squads of black–suited bodyguards. Within seconds, they’d encircled the man in the suit and his accomplices.

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Hi when are we going to get to read more chapters of this wonderful Novel ? Please release more chapters 🙏🏼...