âYouâre well aware if Iâm spouting nonsense or not! Do you actually believe your misdeeds are hidden?â Raeganâs smile was thin.
âJust remember, payback isnât absent.
Itâs just not time yet.
â
Still shaking with rage as Raegan moved past her with poise, Katieâs temper flared.
Her frustration boiling over, she grabbed a nearby potted plant and hoisted it overhead.
But as Katie was poised to hurl it at Raegan, someone seized her wrist firmly.
âRelease me!â Accustomed to throwing tantrums at Ardlens with no repercussions, Katie mistook the interference as another person she could intimidate.
She snapped, âDo you have any idea who I am? Trying to stop me.
.
â
Her threat cut off mid-sentence as her gaze fell on the limited edition diamond watch clasping her wrist.
âMitchel⦠In a fluster, Katie stammered, âI was just⦠The plant looked off.
I was just about to fix it.
â
Mitchel remained silent, his grip on her wrist unyielding.
The pressure from his fingers increased until a soft crack echoed.
âAh!â Katieâs cry of pain filled the air.
The potted plant tumbled from Katieâs grip, crashing onto her foot with a resounding thud.
Instantly, a sharp pain surged up Katieâs leg, causing her to break into a sweat and nearly scream in torment.
Yet, Mitchelâs icy stare silenced Katie mid-cry.
She even pressed her lips together to stifle any sounds that might draw unwanted attention.
With his attire a stark black, Mitchel loomed above her, his expression impassive and imposing.
Overcome with fear, Katie shivered, her words faltering.
âMitch⦠Mitchel⦠It was an accident.
.
â
Mitchel descended the steps with an unhurried grace, his fingers delicately holding her hand aloft.
âKatie, you have such soft hands.
â
His tone was gentle, but his eyes conveyed a stern warning.
He was capable of snapping her wrist without effort.
Teeth clacking in terror, Katie hurriedly said, âMitchel, I was trying to help you.
â
With a slight lift of his eyebrows, Mitchel kept his silence.
Gathering courage, Katie asserted, âYouâre planning to distance yourself from that woman, arenât you? I could double your efforts, couldnât I?â
Mitchelâs lips twitched into a subtle smile.
âIs that stew you sent her part of your strategy to assist me?â
Katie pressed her lips together, her face the picture of distress.
âYes, Mitchel, sheâs beyond shameless.
Iâm the only one who can really help youâ¦â
She was cut off by the soft sound of his laughter.
âKatie, you had a choice and you chose.
Itâs on you.
â
Close enough to see her own anxious face mirrored in Mitchelâs eyes, Katie took in his increasingly frosty demeanor.