Shattered Rose He Held On Tight novel Chapter 121

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Finished

And he knew his memory wasn’t wrong–she had never once told him that painting was so important. Otherwise, no matter how strapped for cash he’d been lately, he would never have tossed it out so casually.

A trap.

One word summed it all up, echoing in his mind.

Someone who knew about his secret relationship with Queena. Someone who could bait Ms. Hart herself. Someone who’d never shown his face at events like this before, yet tonight swaggered in with a woman at his side–Sterling. And on top of that, the little stunt Blaine had pulled at the Jensen Residence just days ago …

The details snapped together into a chain.

Sterling was aiming for him.

What Blaine couldn’t understand was that Alice hadn’t even succeeded in anything. Did Sterling really need to go this far for revenge?

And what good did his humiliation do the Romero family?

He forgot one thing: everyone knew Sterling’s relationship with his family was fractured beyond repair. In the public eyes, Sterling and the Romeros were practically cut clean apart.

And just now, Sterling Romero had handled things with total class.

Sure, most of that grace had been cut straight from Blaine’s own flesh.

But still–Sterling had given both courtesy and compensation. No one could pick it apart.

And nothing Blaine did could touch Sterling personally.

Claudia’s impression of Blaine was still stuck on that moment at Romero Residence, when he’d called Sterling a “lover boy” with a smirk–handsome, polished, carrying himself well. But right now? Blaine looked every bit the enraged, powerless mad dog.

“Why’s he acting like he’s lost his mind?”

Sterling poured her a cup of tea. “He thinks the trouble with his company was my doing.”

Pathetic. His business was crumbling, and instead of finding a way to turn it around, Blaine wasted his energy scheming through women–worse, daring to use Sterling’s own people in his

games.

19:15 Thu, Oct 9 J

Chapter 121 Trap

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Finished

“Was it you?”

Sterling took a sip, his voice flat. “That tiny patch of his? Not worth my time.”

“But Queena–that was your setup, wasn’t it?” Her eyes lit up, sparkling with mischief.

She shot him a thumbs–up. “You’ve got good taste.”

Sterling lowered his gaze. Her smile was dazzling, almost too bright. His tone was unreadable. “You like her?”

Claudia tilted her head, certain. “She’s got charm.”

She knew exactly when to cut ties. Head clear, sharp judgment.

And honestly, Blaine really didn’t measure up to her.

Not that Queena had ever been that invested in Blaine.

Sure, he was good–looking, charming, decent family background, not entirely incompetent- an acceptable marriage prospect.

But if the Harts could work directly with Sterling, who would waste another thought on Blaine?

A boyfriend was never worth more than real profit.

If one didn’t work out, swap him for another.

She should’ve thanked Blaine for being dumb enough to hand her the opportunity on a silver platter.

Seeing Claudia’s admiring expression, Sterling’s fingers tapped lightly against his teacup. “Queena’s clever enough. But she’s power–hungry, profit–driven, and ambitious to the bone. There’s barely half an ounce of sincerity in her dealings.”

Claudia shot him a look.

Why badmouth her out of nowhere?

Besides, if Queena had half a drop of sincerity, Sterling had none at all. He’s got a heart made

of stone.

But Claudia was smart enough not to say it aloud.

Instead, she suddenly remembered Blaine’s ex, the one he’d been caught in bed with. “That whole thing with Victoria–that was your doing too, wasn’t it?”

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