Chapter 5
The bodyguard beside Xander stepped forward. “Mr. Zane isn’t someone you can afford to mess with.”
Steven laughed like it was a joke. “Mr. Zane? Don’t tell me you’re actually trying to say HE’S Xander Zane.”
Xander didn’t flinch. “I am Xander Zane.”
The entire hallway–and the livestream—froze.
Everyone knew the story. Xander Zane had been in a coma for years. No way he could be standing here, looking like a whole damn storm.
Peggy scoffed. “You’re not scared the real Zane family’s gonna come after you for impersonating him? You won’t even see it coming when they take you out.”
Xander shot her a glance sharp enough to slice. “You think you’re even worth that trouble?”
Peggy flushed bright red, choking on her own rage.
Then someone in the stream piped up: [Wait, that is Xander Zane! I saw him at an auction years ago!]
Steven laughed even louder. “If he’s really Xander, I’ll eat shit on livestream. Swear to God!”
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Xander scoffed. “You’re laughing too soon. You won’t be able to in a minute.”
Steven still looked smug. “Xander Zane’s in a coma! There’s no way he’s standing here. And even if he did marry Cecilia, how the hell would I not know? You think I’m that dumb?”
Xander stared at him like he was nothing. “Who do you think you are? You think I need your permission to get married?”
Steven snapped. “I’ve had enough of this fake-”
He didn’t get to finish.
Xander lunged, gripped him by the throat, and slammed him straight to the ground.
Then he pressed his black leather shoe into Steven’s face, like he was about to grind him into the floor.
Peggy shrieked. “What are you doing?! Let him go!“‘.
I turned and slapped her so hard her head snapped to the side. “Shut up! Peggy Shane, what did I ever do to deserve this from you?”
She fumbled to raise her phone and pointed it at me. “Everyone, look! She’s the one who cheated, and now she’s playing the
victim!”
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I narrowed my eyes and raised my hand again.
“Cecilia, you-”
Smack!
Peggy staggered back, clutching her face, eyes full of hate.
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Right then, Steven’s parents, Theodore and Jennifer, rushed in. They froze the second they saw Xander, faces going pale.
“M–Mr. Zane,” Theodore stammered. “It’s… wonderful you’re awake. There must be a misunderstanding. Steven wouldn’t hurt
Cecilia without a reason.”
Xander let out a cold laugh. “Misunderstanding? Your son beat my wife until she lost our baby. And you call that a MISUNDERSTANDING?”
Theodore’s head snapped to me. “Cecilia is your wife… and she was pregnant?”
The realization hit him like a truck. Cold sweat beaded on his
forehead.
The Garretts were rich–but next to the Zanes? They were dust. And now that I was officially Mrs. Zane, he knew Xander wasn’t going to let this slide.
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Theodore scrambled to fix it. “We didn’t know Cecilia was married to you. Steven didn’t know either. If he had, he never would’ve dared touch her. Please, I’ll make sure he’s punished.”
Steven gaped. “Dad… he’s really Xander Zane?”
Theodore turned on him. “You idiot! Apologize to Mr. Zane-
now!”
Steven wobbled in place, stunned. “M–Mr. Zane, I—I didn’t know. Please, I’ll take whatever punishment you give me!”
Xander’s smile was ice. “Damn right you will.”
Steven started shaking, turning to me with wide, panicked eyes. “Cecilia, please. We were married… doesn’t that count for something? Just ask him to let me off. I swear, I’ll never lay a hand on you again.”
It was pathetic. I’d never seen him grovel like this. Honestly? It was hilarious.
I walked right up, raised my hand, and slapped him. Hard. Then again. And again.
“You beat me. You kicked me. You made me lose my baby. Did you ever think about sparing ME? Did you think about MY CHILD?”
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