Better Late, But Never His Again novel Chapter 15

Hazel was suspended in the air by the two bodyguards, her toes barely brushing the carpet. The massive disparity in physical strength was horrifyingly clear—especially against two highly trained professionals.

Marcus stood before her, looking down at her with eyes stripped of all warmth.

Though it was the exact same face, he was a completely different entity from the man in the faded shirt back in Sycamore Lane. He spoke in a flat, dead tone.

"Take her away."

The bodyguards immediately pivoted, dragging Hazel toward the door.

Hazel's heart threatened to explode out of her chest.

She knew Marcus wasn't bluffing. For a man with his power, making someone vanish in the capital was as effortless as crushing an ant. She couldn't let them take her out of this room.

"Wait!"

Hazel screamed with every ounce of strength she had, her voice trembling with raw panic.

"Mr. Thornton! I have more to say!"

Marcus raised a hand, and the bodyguards instantly halted.

Hazel hung there, gasping for air, her legs so weak they felt like jelly. She suddenly realized her dress was soaked with cold sweat.

Marcus turned around, raising an eyebrow at her. His innate, crushing aura filled the room as he dropped a single, freezing word.

"Speak."

Hazel took a deep, shuddering breath, forcing herself to calm down.

"Mr. Thornton, can you tell them to let me go first? I have something to show you."

Marcus stared at her for two agonizing seconds before flicking his wrist.

The bodyguards released her. Hazel stumbled, nearly collapsing, but she caught the edge of the table to steady herself. With trembling hands, she pulled her phone from her purse, brought up a photo, and held it out to him.

"Look."

Marcus glanced down at the screen.

The photo showed a man in a washed-out shirt, sitting on a battered scooter. His eyes were cold, his demeanor distant, framed against the moss-covered walls of a rundown slum alleyway.

Marcus leaned back in his chair, his fingers rhythmically tapping the armrest.

"Ms. Garrison, I am a businessman. Businessmen chase profit. I don't see any immediate return on investment here. Why should I trust you?"

Hazel bit her lip. "What do you want?"

Marcus's gaze slowly slid down her face, dragging over her body before returning to her eyes. The corners of his eyes crinkled in dark amusement.

Hazel immediately understood the implication. She took a defensive step back.

"Mr. Thornton, I'm married."

Marcus's eyebrow shot up, his smirk widening. "To the guy at the door?"

Hazel froze, pressing her lips together. Honestly, parading Julian in front of a man like Marcus felt outright embarrassing now.

Marcus let out a scoffing laugh, leaning deeper into his chair, his tone dripping with mockery.

"Ms. Garrison, considering your pathetic taste in men, how could I possibly trust your business acumen?"