âDo you really think so? Do you honestly believe you could have pulled off what I did if were in my shoes?â
Balfourâs words came without a filter, his success built on a foundation of sweat and sacrifice that dwarfed that of the average Joe.
When he first started carving out his empire, he ditched the name âHowardâ like last seasonâs fashion.
Few knew of this moniker, let alone that he could ride on the coattails of the Howard family.
After his own venture took off, he returned to the Howards to lead the family business, propelling their stock through the roof with his own company in tow.
This wasnât the kind of feat any trust fund kid could just stumble into.
Standing there with confidence, he knew he had earned every bit of it.
Nowadays, a single stomp of his foot in the social circle would send tremors like an earthquake â a status he fought tooth and nail to achieve.
The man before him, a bully who found his courage against weak women, didnât even register on Balfourâs radar.
If it wasnât for getting to the bottom of who had laid hands on Ivy, Balfour wouldnât be caught dead chatting with this type of guy.
He had zero respect for such men.
âBullshit. Give me that kind of dough, and Iâd rack up the same kind of wins, easy. Donât kid yourself,â
Kael spat out, his words as crude as they come.
Any other day, faced with a big shot like Balfour, Kael would be bowing and scraping, stealing glances of his retreating figure from a respectful distance.
But not today.
With Thalia in his clutches, he held a trump card, and he reveled in his newfound arrogance.
Margot, always on edge as long as Thalia was in jeopardy, tried to play peacemaker. âHey, big guy, donât listen to him. Weâre all on different life paths; not everyone gets to shine like that.â
However, Kaelâs disdain was palpable, and he spat on the ground as he recalled Dianaâs lifelong disregard for him due to his lack of power and status.
In his eyes, all women were alike. Margotâs sweet nothings were just a front, all because she was with Balfour!
âWhatâs your game, huh? You think I donât know you actors are all after the rich and powerful? Youâd think they fart gold or something!â
Margot had never faced such insult since stepping into the limelight. In the cover of night, she felt her cheeks burning with humiliation.
âIâm not like that, you canât just lump all women together!â
But Kael was beyond listening, dragging Thalia away with him.
Balfourâs voice dropped an octave, âDonât you want a shot at the big time? Because Iâm laying that chance right at your feet.â
Kael paused, his disdain for the wealthy clear as day, yet the allure of cash was an undeniable temptation.
âWhat are you saying? Trying to buy me out?â
Balfour nodded, âExactly. Iâm offering you a way out- anything you want, itâs yours. My only condition is for you to release the woman youâre holding.â
An irresistible choice was dangling before Kael.
The words that Balfour had spoken earlier echoed in his head- painting a world where he wielded enough clout to turn tables, would Diana look down on him then?
The answer was obvious.