Chapter 627
In a corner unseen by Andrew, Tessa’s lips curled into a smug grin.
The car pulled up in front of the Harmony Haven Hotel, and as Tessa got out and steadied herself on her feet, she noticed another vehicle parked nearby. The door swung open, and out stepped Brielle. That had to be Max’s car, judging by the vanity plate with its string of identical numbers and the unmistakable silhouette of a Bentley.
Tessa caught sight of her and was about to strut over and have a good go at her, but remembering Andrew was still around, she figured she had to play it cool for a bit longer. So, without a word, she simply flaunted the necklace around her throat, arching an eyebrow at Brielle in a silent challenge.
The provocation was clear.
What Tessa hadn’t expected was for Brielle to stride forward, grab the necklace, and yank it off with such force that Tessa felt like her neck might snap. Her face registered utter disbelief. “Brielle?! What the hell are you doing?”
Before the words had fully left her mouth, Brielle’s hand was in the air and then came the sharp crack of a slap.
“Smack!”
Tessa’s cheek instantly swelled, the force of the slap nearly sending her to the ground, the taste of iron flooding her mouth.
The necklace now dangled from Brielle’s fingers, wrapped in a tissue. Her expression was dark as a storm cloud. “Tessa, did you ever think you were worthy of wearing this?” Brielle snapped.
Tessa clutched her cheek, her heart pounding. Onlookers were gathering around them. The Harmony Haven Hotel wasn’t your average star–rated establishment. Much like the exclusive Tequila Sunset club, it was members–only and accessible with a card, so journalists were strictly off–limits. The Rowland and Clements families had chosen this place for their dinner, as much a statement of status as anything else.
Tessa had sent that message to Brielle just to rile her up, to knock her down a peg. She hadn’t anticipated Brielle to actually show up, corner her, and slap her without a second thought.
How dare she?
That bitch, how dare she?!
However, Tessa was too frail to retaliate. Her eyes were red with rage, but she could not utter a single word.
Brielle tucked the necklace into her purse and, watching Tessa’s weakened face, pulled her close for another slap, this time not stopping until ten more had landed. With full force, Tessa’s face was so swollen it was unrecognizable, blood trickling from her mouth.
Chapter 627
Andrew parked and approached the scene, his scalp tingling with anger at the sight.
“Brielle!” He strode forward, grabbing her arm, his brow knotted with fury. “Brielle, have you lost your mind?!”
But Brielle bitched free and, with a swift motion, slapped him across the face as well. “Get lost!” Andrew’s head snapped to the side, and as he felt the sting on his cheek, he wondered if this was some sick dream. Once the shock passed, a vicious light crossed his eyes, and he raised his hand to grab Brielle’s throat.
No one, except for the cheeky Aubree, had ever dared to lay a hand on him like that. Was Brielle high tonight to have the audacity to do this to him?
However, before his hand could reach her throat, another intercepted him. Max pulled Brielle into his arms, shielding her and blocking Andrew’s hand with his own, his gaze as calm as it was commanding.
Andrew’s eyes narrowed, the din of Tessa’s hysterical crying and the gasps of the onlookers only intensifying the moment.
Everything pointed to a point of no return.
With a cold laugh, Andrew’s eyes gleamed with malice. “Max, step aside.” Tonight, he would end Brielle, that treacherous bitch.
