Chapter 4

Jonny's stare grew heavier, his silence darker than words.

"Why so cold, gorgeous? Maybe a kiss will warm you up," the blond man teased, circling Eleanor like a predator who smelled blood.

Eleanor's brow creased with disgust. "Leave me alone."

"Oh, I like my women with fight in them. The feistier,the better. Come on, let me show you a good time."His hand lunged brazenly toward her chest.

A cold laugh slipped from Eleanor's lips as she snatched up an expensive bottle of red wine and smashed it hard against his head.

The bottle shattered on impact, drenching the blond man's face in wine. "Are you fucking kidding me!" he yelled, smearing the liquid off his skin. "You crazy bitch! Do you have any idea who I am? I'm from the Murphy family.Tonight you'll be begging beneath me, I swear!"

The entire club froze, eyes snapping toward the chaos, eager to see how it would end.

Up on the third floor, behind a wide glass window,Ryland Brooks leaned back with narrowed eyes,amusement flickering across his face."Look at that-Brice Murphy really loves hearing himself talk,throwing around his family name like it means something."

Within Elepdon's upper circles, Brice was a nobody compared to the man seated across from Ryland-Nolan Stewart, heir to the Stewart family and head of Stewart Group.

"Nolan, you've been staring at that woman for a long time. Don't tell me she caught your interest?" Ryland continued.

Lazily swirling the wine in his glass, Nolan let his gaze linger on the woman draped in bright red."Yeah, she's really... interesting." Ryland's brow arched in surprise. "That's unexpected. No woman has ever managed to draw your attention before."

He recalled faintly that the woman might even be a friend of his sister's.

Meanwhile, Brice, the blond man downstairs, had lost all composure, his rage threatening to ignite the room.

Jonny's face darkened as he sat brooding, then he suddenly rose to his feet.

Lainey's eyes widened in shock. "Wait, Jonny, are you actually going to step in for Eleanor?"

"Have you lost your mind, Jonny? That woman brought this on herself by flirting with Brice.Why would you stick your neck out?" Emma said.

"She was my wife for three years. I won't stand here and pretend I don't know her," Jonny retorted, seizing a convenient justification for his actions.

"But-" Emma started, but she faltered as two imposing figures descended the staircase.

All eyes immediately shifted toward them, and the noise in the club died in an instant when people realized it was Nolan and Ryland.

Brice caught sight of them, and all arrogance drained from his face. He scrambled forward, practically bowing. "Mr. Stewart, Mr. Brooks, I had no idea you'd be here tonight!"

His tone fawned as he continued, plastering on a fake smile, "Allow me to cover the bill this evening.Please, enjoy yourselves."

Nolan dismissed him without so much as a glance,his gaze cutting past the crowd to settle firmly on Eleanor.