Chapter 55
Teresa left Joyacre Villa and had just gotten into her car when, out of nowhere, someone opened the passenger door from outside,
Lost in thought, Teresa was startled and jumped as a person quickly slid into the seat next to her.
But when she saw who it was, she finally let out a breath she didn’t know she’d been holding.
Troy sat in the passenger seat and deliberately leaned in, closing the distance between them.
He gazed up at Teresa, searching her face for any sign of emotion. Then, he gave her a dazzling smile and teased, “What’s wrong? Am I really so scary that you don’t even dare look at me? Or is it that you’re just too shy to meet my eyes?”
Teresa wasn’t in the mood for Troy’s teasing. She said, “I’ve got things to do. Mr. Hamilton, would you mind getting out of the car?”
Troy just shrugged it off. He leaned back in his seat, hands behind his head, and turned to look at her. “What’s this? Back in Riverdale, and you’re pretending you don’t know me now?”
Teresa was starting to get anxious. “Troy, I mean it. I really have something to take care of.”
Troy could hear the hurt in Teresa’s voice, and his usual playful attitude vanished. He sat up straight and, almost without thinking, reached out to ruffle her hair.
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He didn’t even know why he did it, but he couldn’t help himself as he asked softly, “What’s wrong?”
If one paid attention, one could easily catch the worry in Troy’s voice.
Teresa’s thoughts were all tangled up. She felt let down and hurt by her husband and daughter.
Hearing Troy’s concern, Teresa suddenly felt so wronged that she couldn’t help but let her tears fall.
She tried to hold back, but the harder she fought it, the more her emotions surged, and the more she wanted to cry.
Troy panicked when he saw her crying. “Teresa, come on, don’t cry. I’m really terrible at this comforting stuff. If something’s bothering you, just tell me. I’ll help you out, okay? Just please, don’t cry.”
Almost without thinking, Teresa sobbed as she spoke, “I–I just wanted to ask him two things, but he just refuses to see me, and he’s going out of his way to avoid me.”
Troy took hold of Teresa’s arms and asked, “You want to see Charles?”
Teresa’s eyes were red and puffy, and she nodded. “Yes.”
Troy let out a laugh. “Come on, that’s all? I thought it was something serious. If you want to see him, just say the word. I’ll take you right
now.”
Teresa blinked away her tears at his words, her voice trembling with hope. “Really?”
Troy grinned, “As long as you stop crying, I’ll take you to see him.”
Teresa nodded hard, almost fiercely. “Okay, I won’t cry anymore.”
Troy
y coaxed her softly, “Come on, let me see you smile, okay?”
Teresa managed to force a smile, but honestly, it looked even sadder than if she were crying.
Troy pulled out his phone and made a quick call. It didn’t take long before he got a response.
Once he had Charles’s address. Troy got out of the car, scooped Teresa up in his armis, and placed her in the passenger seat
He leaned over to buckle her seatbelt and said with a teasing grin, “Sweetheart, I’m being really generous here, taking you to see my rival. When you’re finally my girl, you better reward me for this”
Teresa didn’t say a word. Her eyes were still a little red, but all he could see in them was pure stubbornness,
Seeing her like that, Troy couldn’t help but think she actually looked kind of cute. He gave a quiet laugh, then heasted straight for where Charles was
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1:08 PM P P ·
Chapter 55
It was a bar–easily the flashiest spot around, the kind of place where only the rich guys could get through the door.
Troy was clearly a regular here. As soon as they walked in, a waiter hurried over with a fawning smile. “Mr. Hamilton, which room would you like tonight?
“That sweet little thing you liked last time just happens to be free–should I call her over for you to have some fun?”
“No, thanks. I’m just here to find someone,” Troy replied, his tone crisp and decisive.
“Alright, Mr. Hamilton. If you change your mind, those girls you called sexy, cute, and sweet are all available tonight. Just give me a shout if you want anything,” the waiter said, still grinning.
Afraid Teresa wouldn’t buy it, Troy hurried to explain, “Sweetheart, don’t pay attention to what people say about me. If you really got to know me, you’d see I’m the most loyal guy you’ll ever meet.”
They stopped in front of room 999, and Troy kicked the door open without a second thought.
That’s when Teresa finally saw Charles, seated at the center of the group, surrounded by several people, with Jason and Finn sitting
closest to him.
Next to Jason and Finn were two women with curves to die for, wearing barely anything–leaving little to the imagination as they lounged beside them.
Under everyone’s shocked stares, Troy swaggered in with Teresa, his arm still around her like he owned the place. He strode right up to the coffee table and, with a bold, taunting sweep, sent all the bottles and glasses crashing to the floor.
Bottles shattered and booze splattered everywhere, glass and liquor hitting the ground with a loud crash.
The sound of the bottles breaking made everyone’s skin crawl.
Without missing a beat, Troy whipped out a silk scarf from who–knows–where and spread it over the table. Then he dragged the coffee table forward, pressed down on Teresa’s shoulders, and sat her right on top of it.
Teresa sat facing Charles and the others, and she could clearly see that Charles’s face didn’t show a single ripple of emotion; he looked completely unfazed, as if nothing in the world could shake him.
Jason, on the other hand, looked like he wanted to tear someone apart, his face twisted in a fierce scowl. Finn just frowned, his brows knitting together.
The two women sitting beside Jason and Finn looked pretty startled, quickly pulling up their collars as they shot wary glances at Troy.
His sinister gaze swept over the group sitting across the couch, his powerful aura pressing down on everyone in the room
Charles didn’t react at all. He simply lifted his face to look up at Troy, unruffled and composed, yet somehow his presence felt utterly untouchable
Teresa glanced at hun, a little surprised that he didn’t have anyone hanging off his arm. Then she thought to herself, Figures–h probably keeping himself puts for Naqui
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Chapter 55
Jason shot to his feet, his voice full of anger. “Troy, who the hell do you think you are, barging in here and making a scene?”
Troy just raised an eyebrow, his eyes sharp as knives as he stared Jason down. “Yeah, I’m making trouble. So what? What are you going to
do about it?”
Jason was left speechless, his face flushing with rage as he rolled up his sleeves, ready to throw down. But Finn quickly grabbed his arm. “Jason, don’t be rash.”
Jason wanted to call Finn a coward, but before he could say anything, Charles spoke up. “You two, leave.”
Finn led Jason out of the room, leaving just Teresa, Charles, and Troy behind.
Teresa turned to Troy and gave him a look, tilting her head to signal that he should leave too.
Troy didn’t want to budge. He sat down close beside her, saying, “No way. I don’t feel right leaving you here by yourself.”
Teresa’s eyes were full of stubborn resolve, and Troy knew he couldn’t win this one. With a sigh, he stood up. “Alright, I’ll be right outside. If you need anything, just call me.”
“Thanks,” Teresa said softly.
Troy bent down, his long, clean fingers twirling a stray lock of hair by her cheek. His tone was half–joking, half–serious. “Soon enough, we’ll be family. Why act all polite with me? If I had to risk my life for you, I’d do it in a heartbeat.”
She was so used to Troy’s nonsense that his words barely registered.
Once Troy stepped out, the room instantly went quiet.
Teresa glanced over at Charles, but he just ignored her, sitting there in silence like she didn’t even exist.
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