Chapter 84 The Steele Obsession
Brian froze, his gaze locked on the man who was meant to be his father.
Liam wore a perfectly tailored black suit and a crisp white shirt. The sharp lines of his face mirrored his own, a constant reminder of their blood ties.
Ever since his mother’s death, Liam had worn nothing but black and white. It was as if all other colors had
been erased from the world.
“What’s the matter? Surprised to see me?” Liam asked, walking forward slowly. As he did, a smile tugged
at his lips.
To anyone else, his smile might have looked elegant and gentle. But in Brian’s eyes, it was the flick of a viper’s tongue, and it sent shivers down his spine.
Liam might have looked sane on the surface, but Brian knew all too well. He had gone mad after Emily’s
death.
“What are you doing here?” Brian asked coldly.
“My son has found a woman he loves. Of course, I had to come and show my concern,” Liam said, smiling.
Brian pressed his lips into a thin line. He had already had the trending news pulled that morning, but not before some eyes had seen it. And clearly, Liam was among them.
As for a woman he loved… well, Brian wasn’t even sure what kind of feeling deserved to be called love.
But he knew one thing. He wanted to be by Chloe’s side.
Seeing Brian silent, Liam suddenly asked, “What now, do you think you’re not in love with her?”
“Whether I love her or not has nothing to do with you,” Brian snapped, glaring at him coldly. “But if you ever lay a hand on her, I won’t let you off so easily.”
Liam burst out laughing upon hearing that. “I won’t harm her, I definitely won’t. I just want to see what
becomes of the son she and I raised.”
He meant Emily, of course.
Then he patted Brian’s shoulder lightly. “Don’t worry. Even if you don’t love her yet, the day will come when you do. And once you do, you’ll finally understand what I felt.
“You’ll crave her presence. If her eyes aren’t fixed on you, you’ll want to destroy everyone around her. You’ll want to lock her away so she sees no one but you.”
Liam’s voice slithered into Brian’s ears, each word dripping with venom.
“I’m not you. I’ll never become like you,” Brian shot back, his face taut with disgust.
Chapter 84 The Steele Obsession
But Liam smirked mockingly and said, “You’re my son. The Steele obsession is in your blood, carved into your very bones. In the end, you’ll be just like me. Desperate, unfulfilled, and finally, a madman!”
“That’s enough!” Brian shouted. “If that’s all you came to say, then get out.”
Not offended in the least, Liam continued, “Though judging from those photos online, it seems like she doesn’t love you. Winning her won’t be so easy, but…”
He suddenly brushed his fingers against Brian’s cheek. “This face of yours carries the best of me and your mother. Especially your eyes, they’re hers. If you use this face and your body well, surely you can make that woman lose herself in you.”
The next second, Liam’s expression faltered. Brian’s hand was wrapped tightly around his wrist. If he pressed hard enough, then Liam’s wrist would be broken.
“I was only giving you a fatherly reminder not to waste what you have. Now, you’d break my wrist for it?” Liam asked, raising an eyebrow.
“I’m not that child you used to twist and crush at will,” Brian coldly said. “If you don’t leave now, I’ll break
your wrist.”
“Fine, fine. I’ll go,” Liam relented, smiling. But before he turned away, he left one last remark.
“My dear son, I’ll be waiting for you.”
Liam would be waiting for him in the same hell of longing and despair. For every Steele suffers the torment of desiring what they cannot have.
At that, Brian said nothing. He stood rigid, his eyes locked on Liam’s retreating figure.
Even after Liam disappeared from view, his body stayed tense. His hands clenched so tightly at his sides that his nails dug into his palm.
When Chloe was heading to the villa, it had started raining. The gray, heavy clouds and the steady drizzle
cast a dreary and unsettling pall over everything.
Ethan was leaving for Corvessia. She, on the other hand, still had no idea how long she would remain in
Yarfdale,
Her parents‘ estate was mostly settled, except for the old family home, which still required some
paperwork.
As for how the inheritance would be split, she had decided to wait until she found Daniel so they could deal with it together.
As for her parents‘ belongings, Chloe had them stashed in her old apartment. When she returned to that house and saw the familiar furnishings from her youth, it felt like stepping back in time.
Her parents and Daniel were still alive. The four of them were together, happy and whole.
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Her eyes stung at the scene. She knew better than anyone that peace and quiet always came at a cost, as someone always had to shoulder the burden and sacrifice for that beauty.
Her parents had never regretted their sacrifice. It was their conviction. And Chloe would also keep walking the same path of belief without regret.
At that moment, Ethan’s car pulled up outside Brian’s villa.
“Alright, you can stop here,” Chloe said.
He studied her for a long moment, then handed her an umbrella. “Okay, go on inside. I’ll see you in
Corvessia.”
“The rain isn’t that heavy,” she said, trying to give it back. “I can just run in. It’ll be troublesome for me to
return this to you later.”
But all Ethan had to say to that was, “Then, you should return it to me when we meet again in Corvessia. For now, keep it safe for me.”
“Alright then,” Chloe agreed.
At that, a smile tugged at his lips. She stepped out, umbrella in hand.
After she watched Ethan’s car disappear into the distance, she finally turned and walked toward the villa.
But just as Chloe was about to head inside, she froze. A tall figure stood beneath the big tree in the yard, letting the rain pour over him.
The figure’s head was tilted back slightly as the water streamed down his face, neck, and body.
His black hair clung wetly to his skin, and the white shirt he wore was soaked through. It was plastered tightly against him.
“Brian? Why are you standing here?” Chloe asked in surprise.
Brian slowly turned his head, his eyes locking on her. His pale lips parted as he whispered, “You’re back.”
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