Chapter 12
Julian’s grip was strong—so strong that a sharp pain shot through Estelle’s wrist. She swallowed the pain and looked at Julian. Then, she spat out her words coldly. “I heard you. And?”
Zachary, failing to catch her meaning, barked, “And? You should apologize to Susan!”
Luther let out a quiet sigh. If Estelle had any intention of apologizing, she wouldn’t have asked. Her meaning was clear—she heard Julain just fine. She just refused to comply.
Julian’s icy gaze locked on her face. “This is the last time I’ll say it—apologize to Susan.”
Estelle looked up at him, studying his delicate eyebrows. “Julian, do you realize that the line you’ve said to me the most is telling me to apologize to Susan? You might not be sick of saying it, but I’m sick of hearing it.
“If you and Susan love hearing people apologize so much, why don’t I hire a few people to kneel and apologize to you both on repeat?”
Zachary nearly exploded. “Estelle, you’re the one in the wrong, and you still refuse to apologize? Have you no shame?”
Estelle remained unfazed. “If you really think I did something wrong, feel free to call the police and have me arrested.”
Zachary pointed a trembling finger at her, so furious he was speechless. “You…”
Suddenly, Estelle’s wrist was gripped even tighter. The pain surged as if her bones were on the verge of cracking. A frown creased her brows, and her face paled slightly. Yet Julian showed no sign of loosening his hold. He simply stared at her, his piercing gaze locked on her.
“Mr. Grant, you’re about to break my wrist.”
Estelle would not compete with him on such matters. She would suffer in the end anyway.
But Julian still didn’t let go. “So, you still refuse to apologize?”
Zachary sneered from the sidelines, adding fuel to the fire. “That’s the way, Jules! This woman needs to be put in her place. Let her learn the hard way!”
Sweat beaded on Estelle’s forehead. The pain was excruciating, making her complexion as pale as a sheet. Her lashes trembled slightly, but her voice remained steady. “If you break my wrist, I’ll have no choice but to report you for intentional assault. Oh, wait…”
Her lips curled into a razor-sharp smirk.
“Given the circumstances, this wouldn’t just be assault; it could very well be domestic abuse… And I have to say, the headlines about the Grant Group’s CEO being a domestic abuser? Now, that would be something the media and the public would love to sink their teeth into…”
The pressure on her wrist disappeared instantly. Estelle raised her hand, glancing at her wrist. A ring of dark bruises had already started to form against her fair skin.
Something flickered in Julian’s eyes. It was too brief to catch, gone before she could read it.
Zachary, however, was livid.
“Jules, are you seriously letting her threaten you? Listen to what she just said! This woman is completely out of control. What if this is just another one of her manipulative tricks to get your attention—”
He was about to continue ranting, but before he could, Luther reached over and clamped a hand over his mouth.
Luther said smoothly, “Zach, this is between husband and wife. We should probably stay out of it.”
He glanced over at Susan. “Ms. Lynch, maybe we should give them some space.”
Susan hesitated. She then cast a worried look at Julian, her voice soft and gentle. “Jules, maybe Ms. Summer is just feeling a little suffocated from staying at home all the time. She might be in a bad mood lately… Let’s not take her words too seriously. She probably just needs some time to unwind.”
Zachary let out a derisive snort. “What’s there to be stressed about? She’s just a spoiled housewife, living in luxury without lifting a damn finger. And this is how she chooses to unwind? By running off to some shady place to look for a wild night?”
Luther tugged Zachary back. “Alright, Zach. Let’s head back to the private room and wait for Jules.”
