Chapter 596
Lyman’s gaze grew sharper. Without another word, he strode toward the entrance.
Calling it an engagement celebration for two people would have been misleading. It looked more like one person putting on a show while the other simply went along with it.
Kyson was in the lounge area, leaning back against the couch with his legs stretched out, casually turning his phone over in his hand. His eyes were distant, as though his thoughts were somewhere else entirely. A man who appeared to be his bodyguard stood behind him.
Not far away, Candice was greeting guests. Her smile was bright, and every word she spoke carried excitement.
When she saw Lyman step inside, her expression froze for a brief second. Then she quickly walked toward him. “Mr. Vasquez, you should have told me you were coming. I would have waited at the entrance to welcome you.”
Her eyes flicked past him, searching. She noticed only his assistant. No one else had followed. For a moment, she couldn’t tell whether she felt relieved or disappointed.
Lyman saw through her immediately. His voice was cold and direct. “You have five minutes to clear this place.”
“What do you mean?” Candice’s smile stiffened. “Are you joking?”
“Do you think you’re in a position for that?” His gaze turned even colder.
She went still.
Lyman glanced at the faint tremor at the corner of her lips, then looked at his watch. “Four minutes and fifty seconds.” He walked past her without waiting for a reply and headed deeper inside.
Candice turned to watch him go. Her breathing grew uneven, but she knew he wasn’t bluffing. If she ignored him, she had no idea what he would do next.
Clenching her teeth, she called her assistant over and spoke firmly. “Tell everyone to leave. The engagement is canceled.”
The assistant stared at her in disbelief. “Miss Lawson…”
“Now.”
“Yes.”
He couldn’t hide his confusion — some guests were still eating. Were they really going to rush everyone out like this? But Candice had spoken, and he had no choice but to follow her orders.
Inside the lounge, Lyman’s eyes locked onto the man lounging on the couch. He walked straight toward him, his presence heavy and commanding, and glanced at the bodyguard standing behind Kyson. “Leave.”
The bodyguard stiffened, sensing something wasn’t right. After a brief hesitation, he turned and went to find Candice.
Kyson didn’t move. His gaze stayed on Lyman, waiting.
Lyman didn’t waste time explaining. He lifted his foot and kicked the coffee table aside.
“Your wife is missing. Get up,” he said sharply.
Kyson’s hand froze mid-motion. The phone stopped spinning between his fingers. Something dark flashed across his eyes.
He stood up at once and headed out, his steps fast and heavy.
Candice was speaking in a low voice with the bodyguard when someone suddenly yanked her backward. A hand clamped tightly around her throat. Kyson’s eyes were red as he stared at her, his voice coming out rough. “What did you do?”