Dumping The Ice King His Mini-Tyrant novel Chapter 376

Harrison’s face contorted at Adrian’s words, agony flickering across his features with every breath. His chest and ribs throbbed with a dull, persistent ache.

This man—who just minutes ago had practically draped himself over Selene, desperate for her attention—had tried to snap Harrison’s fingers in half. And now, Adrian was cradling the ruined brooch, milking Selene’s sympathy for all it was worth.

Unbelievable.

“Selene! Don’t let him fool you!” Harrison barked, his mouth thick with the metallic taste of blood.

He pressed a trembling hand to his abdomen, fighting through pain that felt like a thousand ants gnawing under his skin.

Selene’s gaze dropped to the shards of glass on the floor. Any warmth in her eyes had long since vanished. “You’re the one who threw the wine on Adrian, weren’t you?” she said—not a question, but a flat accusation.

Harrison clamped his lips shut, swallowed down the blood in his throat, and forced himself to speak. “It was an accident.”

Adrian nodded, looking so fragile and innocent he could have been a wounded dove. “Yes, Mr. Vaughn didn’t mean it. Selene, please don’t be angry at him, not on my account.”

Watching Adrian’s little act, Harrison could barely keep from grinding his teeth to dust. This guy was a master manipulator—had he been sneaking away for acting lessons behind everyone’s back?

“Selene, he’s just pretending to be the victim! Didn’t you see him hit me? He tried to break my ribs, my fingers—” Harrison broke off, coughing violently. Each spasm shook his battered frame, pain ricocheting through his bones.

What a manipulative, two-faced bastard.

Harrison’s hand went to the hem of his shirt, ready to rip it off and show everyone the bruises. But he froze. Behind Selene stood at least a dozen people, including a few reporters. If he stripped down and paraded his injuries for the world to see, how could he ever show his face in the city’s elite circles again?

Scowling, Harrison pulled his shirt back down. He wasn’t about to let everyone think he was completely helpless against Adrian. But for Selene, he was willing to let his guard down.

His voice dropped, rough and low. “Selene, I can’t show you here. Let’s go to the other room, and I’ll show you exactly what Adrian did to me.”

He’d barely finished the sentence when Adrian gave him a mock smile, eyes cold. “Wow, Harrison, really? Right in front of me—her boyfriend—you’re going to try and seduce my girlfriend with your battle scars? Pathetic.”