Chapter 17
“I’m only talking to her. Stay out of it p>
Lexi shoved Lauren aside.
Lauren reacted instantly, slapping her hard.
“Don’t push your luck, Lexi. One word from me and you won’t leave here alive p>
Lexi laughed bitterly.
“Then today, I gamble my life. I won’t let either of you walk away p>
She yanked the woman hiding behind Lauren into the open.
Isabella stumbled forward, panic flashing.
“What do you want from me? I’ve never wronged you p>
Lexi’s gaze sharpened.
“Then why did you drug my drink at graduation p>
“I didn’t!” Isabella snapped, turning away.
“Stop slandering me p>
“She must be mistaken,” Lauren added quickly.
Lexi laughed, short and humorless.
“One last time—why?
What were you trying to do p>
“I’m done arguing with a lunatic,” Isabella said, bending for her bag.
“Lauren, let’s go p>
Lexi moved instantly.
Lauren tried to block her but was shoved to the floor.
She didn’t care anymore.
She needed the truth.
At the door, Isabella barked at the guard.
“Don’t let her follow me p>
Sebastian wasn’t at the hotel tonight.
Connor had let Lexi in, unaware things would explode.
Lexi pressed a pair of scissors against her wrist.
“Don’t come closer. This is between us p>
Connor froze, signaling the guards back.
Then he quietly called Sebastian.
Isabella bolted, smashing the wrong elevator button, sprinting up to the rooftop.
Lexi chased her.
The wind whipped her hair and dress.
“You drugged me,” Lexi said calmly.
“That drink came from your hand.
Why p>
“You act innocent,” Isabella hissed.
“Clinging to Julian.
Now he finally sees you—a dirty, shameless whore p>
“Shut up!” Lexi shouted.
“You loved Julian too,” Lexi said bitterly.
“That’s why you did it.” Memories surged back, humiliating and vivid.
She forced herself to breathe.
“You’re cruel,” she said slowly.
“If you can’t have something, you destroy it. That’s not love—that’s madness p>
Isabella panicked, tried to run.
They struggled.
Isabella shoved her.
The rooftop railing, rusted and broken, gave way.
Lexi tipped backward, suspended over nothing.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing p>
Sebastian’s voice cut through the storm.
He crossed the rooftop in three strides, shoved Isabella aside, and hauled Lexi back to safety.
“It’s over,” he murmured, holding her.
“You’re safe. I’ve got you p>
Isabella sobbed.
“It wasn’t me! She fell—she p>
Sebastian’s cold glance silenced her completely.
Lauren arrived moments later, fingers curling into a fist.
Lexi had become a curse—a fox who ensnared men without trying.
Sebastian ordered Connor to escort Lexi home, but she showed up on set anyway.
She needed to grow stronger.
There, Julian stood at the wardrobe area.
Before she could greet him, several men in black approached.
“Sir. The Boss requests your presence p>
Whispers followed.
“So Julian’s the heir to the Reed Family p>
“Yeah—look at what he wears. All custom. Limited editions p>
Lexi crouched alone in a corner.
Julian hid his power, never flaunted it.
That’s why she had never known him fully, and why she had once believed she could stand beside him.