Chapter 157: The provocation

Words : 1050 Updated : Sep 29th, 2025

Nathaniel’s glare locked on the man standing far too close to Zara, his arm still draped over her shoulders. Fury burned in Nathaniel’s eyes as he looked at the man’s hand, his expression hard. Feeling the weight of his stare, Zara quickly shifted away. "I—" Before she could say anything further, Nathaniel seized her arm and yanked her to him, firmly holding her in his arms. The sharp tang of alcohol hit his senses, tightening his jaw. "You are drunk," he bit out, his gaze cutting into her. "I-I just had dinner with my friends," she stammered. "There was wine..." "You didn’t tell me you were going out," Nathaniel interrupted, his irritation spiking. Eugen’s words from earlier resurfaced—Liam had been throwing a party tonight. Had Zara been there? Why hadn’t she said a word? The image of that kind of party—alcohol, loud music, women—seared into him, stoking his anger further. When had Zara started finding such parties entertaining? And worse, why had Liam invited her but kept silent with him? His eyes slashed toward Liam, heavy with resentment and suspicion. The urge to demand answers boiled inside him, but not in front of Zara. He didn’t want to argue with Liam when she was around. Pointing sharply at Liam, he said coldly, "You, stay here. We need to talk." He guided Zara into the bedroom, shutting the door behind them. Once they were inside, his gaze softened a bit as he looked at her disoriented form. ’Why are you like this?’ he wondered bitterly in his mind. ’Are you still angry with me?’ Zara, however, was more concerned about him lashing out at Shay. "I went to dinner with Bree and her boyfriend," she explained quickly before he could start asking questions. "Running into Mr. Walsh was just a coincidence—I met him outside the restroom. He was kind enough to drop me off at home." "Mr. Walsh?" Nathaniel’s eyes narrowed in disbelief. Since when did Liam become Mr. Walsh? Had she mistaken him for someone else? "Yes, he is Shay Walsh, the famous designer," Zara said with a tipsy grin. "I’ve always admired his work." Nathaniel exhaled sharply in frustration. So that was it. She was too drunk to realize she had confused Liam with someone else. Relief mingled with fury—at least she hadn’t mistaken another man for him. If she had, she might have gone off with that stranger, and who knew what could have happened then. The very idea unsettled him, stoking his anger even more. "You need to sober up. Go take a bath." Dropping those cold words, he strode out and went to the hall. Liam lounged casually on the sofa, his nonchalance sparking Nathaniel’s temper all over again. "What the hell were you doing with Zara?" Nathaniel snapped. "She mistook you for Shay Walsh, and you just went along with it. What exactly are you after? Don’t forget—she is my wife, not one of your casual flings." Liam smirked, a glint of amusement in his eyes. Only a handful from his inner circle knew he had stepped into the fashion world a long time ago under another name, concealing his real identity. But he was surprised to know that Zara had managed to recognize him in her drunken state. She had even noticed he had cut his hair short. The realization filled his heart with something new. He rose slowly, locking eyes with Nathaniel. "Good to know you actually care about your wife," he said coolly. "She is a sweet woman. You should treasure her." He stepped forward and tapped Nathaniel’s shoulder lightly. "Because if you don’t, someone else might." Nathaniel’s mouth twisted at the provocation. "Don’t cross the line, Liam. She belongs to me. She is my woman." Liam lifted his hands in mock surrender, stepping back with a faint smile. "Relax. I know my limits. I’d never covet my friend’s wife. But here is some advice—if you don’t treat her right, she’ll walk away. There are plenty of men who’d gladly give her the love she deserves." That was enough to shatter Nathaniel’s restraint. He seized Liam by the collar, his face contorting into a scowl. "You have always competed with me—in studies, sports, everything. I never considered you a rival. But if you dare set your sights on my woman, I won’t forgive you." Liam’s smile dimmed at the edges, though he kept his composure. "Easy," he said calmly, knocking Nathaniel’s hand away. "I heard you have been running a fever and suffering headaches. Don’t overexert yourself. Go rest. Take care of your health and your wife." With that, he slipped his hands into his pockets and walked out with unhurried grace. "You bastard," Nathaniel muttered under his breath as Liam’s figure disappeared, seething in the silence. Nathaniel and Liam had once been inseparable—best friends who studied, played, and shared everything. But over time, their bond began to sour as Liam’s competitiveness grew. After high school, Liam had gone abroad to pursue further studies, while Nathaniel stayed behind, forced by his father’s accident to shoulder the family business at a young age while still in college. Years had passed, yet Liam hadn’t changed. He had returned now, stepping into his father’s company, carrying the same air of rivalry. Nathaniel couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling that Liam’s return would only bring him trouble. What disturbed him most of all was Liam’s apparent interest in Zara. ’What is he after? Why approach her? Does he mean to take her from me?’ The thought burned through him, fraying what little control he still had. He stormed into the bedroom. The moment he stepped inside, he froze. Zara emerged from the bathroom, draped in nothing but a towel. Their eyes locked. For a heartbeat, Nathaniel forgot to breathe. His gaze slid down the length of her body, lingering on the curves. Droplets of water shimmered on her shoulders like scattered jewels beneath the light. His throat went dry. The only thought pounding through his head was to drag her into his arms, to kiss her until she remembered who she belonged to. Then, Liam’s hand on her shoulder flashed in his mind. Rage surged through him like fire. "Why didn’t you answer my calls?" he demanded with fury etched in his voice.

Chapter 157: The provocation

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