She's Too Busy Winning to Watch Him Cry novel Chapter 454

"Why?" Lyra demanded. "Why would you interfere in someone else's life? Is this how you treat your friends?"

"Why else?" He leaned back in his chair, his dark, predatory gaze fixed on her. "Shouldn't we be happy for him? I introduced Zane to quite a few women, and he finally found one he actually liked."

"Sylvia's younger sister. Lena... something. I didn't bother remembering her name."

"When the time comes, we can happily attend their wedding together. We'll even give a joint gift since we're a family. What do you think?"

Lyra wished nothing more than to slap that smug look right off his face.

"I heard this Lena Wynter has quite the charm. Every time she visits Zane, she brings him home-baked cakes. Zane even complimented her on them."

"Are you trying to get back at Zane? I can help with that. Why don't we get married before they do? We can enact revenge on him together. How does that sound?"

Every time Rowan spoke, Lyra felt as though a suffocating weight was crushing her chest. Unwanted tears of frustration threatened to spill over.

"Crying for him? I'm begging you, Lyra, you really know how to push every single one of my buttons." Rowan finally stood, his dress shoes crunching over the shattered glass as he reached out to wipe the tears from her cheeks.

Lyra stumbled backward, evading his touch. "It's you. It's all your fault."

Rowan chuckled dryly. "Are you really going to blame me just because he couldn't control himself and fell in love with someone else?"

Lyra had always been mild-tempered, a rule-abiding 'good girl' her entire life, but right now, she wanted to murder him.

Taking in her murderous glare, Rowan's voice turned ice-cold. "Don't be so selfish. You've only seen Zane a handful of times. You've slept with me more times than you've even spoken to him. So drop the tragic romance act. I have no patience for it."

"Now that he's found true love, we should give him our blessing."

"Also..."

"I want to take responsibility for you."

Lyra involuntarily shrank away from him. "I don't need you to take responsibility."

Rowan suddenly yanked her against his chest, his fingers tightening in her hair. "You let me take what I want, and then tell me not to take responsibility? You think you get off that easy? Clearly, I haven't taken enough from you yet."

With that, he lowered his head, pressing his lips hungrily against the crook of her neck.

Lyra froze for a split second before Thrashing wildly. She was beyond furious, her panic spiking as she yanked his hair and clawed at his wandering hands.

Lyra's hair clung to her damp forehead, and all she could manage were broken, muffled sobs.

Right then, the phone on the nightstand began to ring.

He ignored it entirely.

An hour later, the scent of their passion hung heavy in the air.

His phone began ringing once more.

This time, it rang relentlessly, dragging on until it completely ruined his mood.

Rowan snatched the phone and answered. It was Victoria. His voice was dark and raspy. "Didn't I make myself clear? I'm not doing an arranged marriage."

"You said the exact same thing about Lyra last time," Victoria shot back. "Just what kind of woman are you actually looking for?"

Rowan cast a secretive glance down at the trembling woman pinned beneath his muscular frame. His sharp jawline clenched as he lowered his gaze, masking the turbulent emotions swirling in his eyes.