Chapter 4

At her words.

I froze for a second, then a moment later I laughed, though the laugh never reached my eyes.

"Sure. Let's say that's what it is."

The old me would already be at Selena's side, gripping her hand, spilling out an explanation as fast as I could, terrified she might misunderstand me by even a fraction.

But now.

I didn't even have the urge to defend myself to her anymore.

I glanced coolly at my mother a little way off, and in the end I couldn't hold back the mockery.

"If Dad were still alive, he'd be so proud, wouldn't he? After all... you've been such a wonderful mother."

Before my father passed, the one thing he couldn't stop worrying about was me.

Back then.

My mother had held his hand and made the same promise, over and over.

"Don't worry. I'll carry your share of love and cherish Bryce for both of us."

The instant Jayden's fist landed on my face, I froze, and once it registered, my eyes went red and I moved to hit back.

But the next second.

Selena's slap landed on my face first.

"You disrespected your elder first. Jayden just couldn't stand you bullying your mother!"

"Bryce Gilbert, apologize!"

Beside her, my mother's eyes reddened, and the look she gave me was full of disappointment.

"Bryce, how did you become like this?"

Looking at the three of them, all in it together, I gave a faint twist of my mouth, lifted my eyes to Selena, and spoke evenly.

"Selena, let's talk."

But before I could even get another word out, Selena's phone rang.

When she hung up and looked back at me, her expression was tense.

"Business first."

"Something important's come up. Come with me for now."

With that.

Selena grabbed hold of me, turned, and hurried off.

I wanted to break free, but the next second my own phone rang.

A message from my assistant.

"Mr. Gilbert, there's a serious problem with the project Jayden's running."

As if something had just occurred to me, I let the tension drain out of my arm and followed quietly behind Selena.

On the way.

I leaned back against the car seat, watching the world outside with a calm face, not sparing Selena so much as a single extra glance.

But her eyes stayed fixed on me the whole time, her expression dark.

Finally.

Selena was the one who broke the silence.

"You... since you came back, you've been strange. Did something happen?"

But before I could answer, the driver spoke up first.

"Ms. Locke, we're here."

At that.

Selena instinctively looked at me, but my face stayed flat, without even a flicker of extra expression.

She pushed down the doubt inside her, reached out and took my hand, her voice turning serious.

"Whatever happens in a minute, don't say a word."

"Once we're back, I'll explain everything to you."

With that.

Selena pulled me up and out of the car.

In an instant.

We were surrounded on every side by a crowd of people.

"They're here!"

"You crooked company, give us an answer!"

By the time it registered, Selena had already shoved me forward without a moment's hesitation.

"Everyone, please, rest assured. The Locke Group will absolutely give you all an answer. It's him, Bryce Gilbert. He's the one in charge of this project."

"Whatever your problem is, take it up with him!"

With that.

Selena had already turned and stepped aside, planting herself in front of Jayden as he hurried up.

And in that moment.

The crowd closed around me, curses and accusations pouring in from every direction.

"A menace like this deserves to be torn apart!"

"Give us an answer!"

Some had already gone further, hurling rocks in my direction.

"Bryce!"

Selena instinctively started to step forward, but the next second Jayden let out a cry at her side.

"My hand!"

Selena, without a backward glance, shielded Jayden.

And blood was already running down my forehead.

I stood there in the crowd.

I raised my phone, my voice cold to the bone.

"Take a look at this."