Jamie spoke with leisurely composure.
“The Walton family is a partner of the Kalens. How could we possibly be absent from such an important occasion?
His gaze flicked toward Thomas, seated quietly nearby. He was certain this was the man who had infiltrated the hospital that night.
But what he couldn’t understand was why Thomas had chosen to help Sharon. Judging from her expression, she didn’t seem to know his true identity.
Jamie, of course, had no intention of enlightening her. Once a woman as calculating as Sharon discovered who Thomas really was, she would cling to him as though he were her greatest shield.
Sharon’s expression darkened, her silence heavy as her eyes locked on him.
Jamie moved closer, leaning down until only she could hear his voice.
“Sharon, so what if I destroyed your hand? Do you think the Kalen family would ever hold me accountable? On the contrary, they would welcome me as an honored guest. No one will fight for your justice. No one will even treat it as worth mentioning. No matter how far I go, nothing will happen to me. In their eyes…” His lips curled cruelly. “…perhaps they even think you deserved it.”
His tone was soft, but every word was a blade, sinking straight into her chest.
Then he smiled.
.
“I never imagined you’d still dare to show your face before me. Seems the last lesson wasn’t enough. Tell me, what game shall we play next?”
His gaze roamed her face, voice lowering to a chilling murmur.
“How about the game of disfigurement? What do you think?”
Before his words even faded, a resounding slap cracked across his cheek.
Smack!
The sharp sound drew the attention of everyone nearby, cutting through the hum of conversation. (2)
Sharon’s voice was cool as water.
“Looks like the brush with death you barely survived taught you nothing, Jamie. You truly are eager to throw your life away.”
Jamie froze, stunned. Of all outcomes, he hadn’t expected this that Sharon, instead of cowering or
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Chapter 070
fleeing, would dare strike him.
Gasps rippled through the hall.
+25 BONUS
Sharon had slapped the head of the Walton family! Had she completely lost her mind?
Jamie quickly recovered, his eyes flashing with lethal frost as he started forward.
But Thomas stepped smoothly between them.
“Mr. Walton, closing in on a lady like that is exceedingly discourteous.”
Jamie’s gaze narrowed, a flicker of wariness betraying his composure.
And then–before he could react–a glass of wine splashed across his face.
Wine streaked down his hair, dripped along his cheek, soaked into his clothes. In an instant, the proud master of the Walton family was reduced to a sodden, humiliated mess.
The entire room fell into stunned silence.
Then a startled voice pierced the stillness.
“Jamie! What happened?”
Johanna rushed forward, offering a handkerchief to him. Hot on her heels were Victoria, Scott, and
Silas.
The three siblings froze at the sight before them.
Silas’s brows drew tight, his face hardening as he strode straight to Sharon. His voice was ice.
“Sharon. Did you do this?”
Sharon set her glass down with languid grace, her red lips curving as she answered evenly.
“Yes.”
Silas’s eyes blazed.
“Apologize! You will apologize to Jamie right now.”
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Chapter 980