Chapter 49
“He got beat up by some street punks p>
Lennox blocked Grace and cut her off, “She’s always been like that, full of herself. No point explaining anything to her p>
Lisette: Huh p>
Full of herself? Was he serious right now? Pretty sure he was describing himself.
But whatever, all that aside – there was something juicier.
Wide-eyed, Lisette asked, “Wait, you got beat up p>
She hadn’t looked closely before, but now that she paid attention, there was a dark bruise at the corner of his mouth, half-covered in concealer. You’d miss it if you weren’t looking.
Lennox blinked. Getting jumped wasn’t exactly something he was proud of. So he neither confirmed nor denied it.
Lisette burst out laughing, “Oh man, they went straight for your face? They must’ve found you extra annoying p>
Lennox’s expression soured immediately. “Don’t you think that’s a bit much p>
“Really?” Lisette lightly ran her fingers across the corner of her mouth, looking like she was trying to check herself.
Two seconds later, she nodded seriously. “Yeah, guess it was kinda harsh. But p>
She smirked and leaned in, ” – so what? I live to push your buttons! I could go way harder if you want p>
Her grin reached her eyes, curving them into little crescent moons. “Finally found someone who gets me. I should pop a bottle of champagne p>
Right under the sunlight, her like-minded billionaire husband Tobias cracked a faint smile.
Too busy joking at Lennox’s expense, Lisette didn’t notice Tobias’s chuckle – but Grace sure did. She caught every bit of that.
He looked gorgeous. Like he’d stepped straight out of a high-end fashion mag. Perfectly sculpted features, more dazzling than most A-listers, and that tiny smile just softened all the sharp edges around him, making it impossible to look away.
Seriously? This was the so-called D-list actor folks gossiped about online? And Lisette – the one everyone had trashed beyond repair – she had a man like that at her side?
Grace couldn’t swallow it. Back in school, she was the beloved girl basking in admiration. Boys loved her, and suitors lined up from class one to class six. But ever since college, her spotlight dimmed.
Lisette overshadowed her like some massive mountain she just couldn’t climb over. Constantly reminding her: Grace, you’re not good enough.
She waited p>
Waited for Lisette to drop out.
Waited for all of Lisette’s stories to fade from Veridia University.
Waited until she finally got crowned campus queen.
And just when she thought life was back on track, Lisette reappeared – effortlessly snatching away the lead role Grace fought tooth and nail to land.
Grace always had her pride. She didn’t want to be jealous of Lisette. Jealousy meant accepting defeat. And she didn’t lose. She was director Patrick’s top pick – a breakout star in the making. A golden girl. Winners don’t lose.
Swallowing every bit of bitterness, Grace plastered on a smile. “Lisette, you two used to be so close… you really shouldn’t say things like that. You’ll make Lennox feel bad p>
Lisette and Lennox didn’t exactly have some epic love-hate drama. The only thing she couldn’t stand about him was how desperately he tried to make her notice him – as if he had something to prove.
Lisette dealt with him however she felt in the moment – sometimes with a sharp clapback, other times by simply walking away.
But Grace?
Grace was the type to smile to your face while roasting you behind your back – spreading rumors, stirring up mess. Lisette had zero patience for that.
“Oh wow? You knew we were close, huh, Grace?” Lisette sneered, her voice laced with dry amusement. “Then remind me why you were trying so hard to cozy up to him back then?
“Or maybe Grace, you’ve always had that habit of aiming low and stealing what’s not yours p>
The second Lisette said that, she sensed something was off.
She turned her head, gave Tobias a confused side glance, and raised her brow as if to say: ’dude, what’s up with you p>
Tobias’s jaw was tight, but without a word, he reached over and gently hooked his fingers with hers, locking their hands together.
Lisette blinked. What the heck? What was with the sudden hand-holding vibe? Did he think she was about to throw down? Jeez, give her some credit for self-control!
She patted the back of his hand lightly and said, “Relax. I’m not someone who solves things with fists p>
Tobias paused. Was she throwing shade at him for setting his people on her ex? But hadn’t she looked pretty pleased earlier when Lennox got roughed up?
He couldn’t quite tell when she was kidding and when she was dead serious. Right now, only the warmth of her hand reassured him she was real. And since she wasn’t pulling away, he held on. After all, this wasn’t the first time they’d walked around holding hands.
“Lisette, that’s enough!” Lennox snapped, struggling to swallow his bruised pride. He was the kind of guy who couldn’t stand seeing his girl being insulted and staying quiet.
Trying to protect Grace – and his ego – he turned nastier, saying, “We were never official. So when I started seeing Grace, how is that your business?
“And really, look at yourself before pointing fingers. You think you’re in any position to judge her p>
Grace gently tugged at his hand and whispered, “Lennox, let it go p>
That soft tone – like she was being oh-so-generous – only fueled Lennox’s dislike toward Lisette even more.
He patted Grace’s hand, trying to be the hero, the good boyfriend. “Grace, I told you, dating me means no one gets to hurt you p>
Then he raised his voice, loud enough for the whole park to hear:
“Lisette! Let me say this one more time – I never liked you! It was always you imagining things! What Grace and I have is real. She’s not some side chick! Get that through your head p>
He was basically shouting through a megaphone now, drawing the attention of everyone nearby. Tourists began to slow down, tuning in.
Lisette squinted at Lennox, her gaze sharp and amused. If she’d thought he was just a clueless jerk earlier, now it was clear – this man was a top-tier idiot with ego problems.
The tension in the air spiked. Lisette’s attention snapped upward.
Tobias, tall and composed, looked down at Lennox with a cool kind of contempt. His lips barely curled, but the mockery was clear in his tone: “I’ve seen shameless people before. But you? You take the crown p>
Lisette was stunned. Woah, did the cold CEO just roast someone?
For a guy who barely talks unless necessary, this was huge. For him to waste words like this – Lennox must’ve really set him off.
Worried that Mr. CEO might get pulled into this ridiculous drama and lose his usual aloof chill, Lisette tugged his hand gently.
“Didn’t that vendor back there say there was a Shrine ahead? Wanna check it out p>
Tobias reined in his aura and answered, calm as ever, “Sure p>
They didn’t bother responding to Lennox or Grace anymore and simply walked ahead together. The way they carried themselves – indifferent, confident – only made Lennox more furious.
He couldn’t stop replaying that night when two random bodyguards beat him down. Mouth covered, not even able to yell, completely powerless. That kind of shame – it carved something ugly into his pride. His chest heaved.
Eyes burning with resentment, Lennox locked onto the back of Lisette and Tobias walking off hand in hand… and with a clenched jaw, dragged Grace along behind them.