Chapter 282
For a second, everything freezes. My hand tightens around the car door handle, my feet rooted to the ground.
“Mr. Wood?” Blaze’s voice pulls me out of the paralysis.
“Are you sure?” I ask.
“Yes,” he replies. “I ran through security footage. They’ve been meeting at least twice a week p>
I inhale slowly. “How long p>
“From what I’ve gathered so far, about two months, but I can dig deeper p>
“Do that,” I say, my jaw tightening. “I want to know exactly how far this goes back and how involved she is p>
“On it.” he says, and then the line goes dead.
I stand there for a moment longer, then wrench the car door open and slide inside. I breathe through the rage as I start the engine. The tires screech as I slam my foot on the gas.
I had planned to go home, but now, I have a different destination.
My jaw locks so tight it hurts. My hands clamp around the steering wheel as anger clouds my vision.
I warned her. I told her not to come after Sierra and she did exactly what I warned her against.
I’m certain her sudden friendship with Jocelyn isn’t a coincidence and I’d bet my entire empire they didn’t even know each other before this.
When I sent her away, I was still clinging to the promise I made to Chloe before she died. I thought distance would change her. That she would reflect. That she would repent. I never imagined she was just biding her fucking time.
I’ve given her everything. She doesn’t even have to work. So, what the hell does she want? Why is she so obsessed with going after Sierra? Did I spoil her so much that she thinks she’s untouchable?
The more I think about it, the angrier I get because none of it makes sense. She used to be sweet and kind, so how the hell did she become someone hellbent on destroying another person?
Yes, Sierra wasn’t always kind growing up but that doesn’t justify this. It doesn’t justify how she keeps targeting her. It doesn’t justify her obsession and need to sabotage her at every turn.
By the time I pull into the apartment complex, my anger hasn’t cooled. If anything, it’s combustible.
I take the private elevator straight to the penthouse. When the doors slide open and I step out, I find Brook lounging on the sofa, scrolling through her phone.
She jumps to her feet the second she sees me.
“Noah… what are you doing here p>
I step take in the room and for a second, I can’t believe what I’m seeing
Clothes are strewn across the couch. Dirty plates and loose papers clutter the coffee table. Shoes are scattered across the floor. The whole living room is a mess and I don’t even want to imagine what the kitchen looks like.
Despite the amount of wealth both my parents had, one thing they did right was discipline. Even with housemaids, we were taught to clean up after ourselves and that’s the same exact thing I’m trying to teach Nova and Nolan.
“Can’t I come see you?” I ask, deliberately ignoring the state of the place. It’s not why I’m here.
“Y-yes, of course,” she stammers. “It’s just… if I’d known you were coming p>
I raise a brow. “You would’ve cleaned up p>
She looks away, embarrassed.
I walk further inside only to step on an empty plastic bottle. I watch as it crunches under my shoe, before stepping away.
“Sorry,” she mutters quickly, rushing to pick it up.
I watch her, wondering when she became this untidy, given she wasn’t like this before… Then I remember when she lived with us, the staff handled everything.
“Sit,” she says, hurriedly pushing clothes aside on the sofa. “Tell me how the twins are p>
I don’t sit. I didn’t come here for small talk.
“Do I look like a joke to you?” I ask slowly.
Her expression falters. “I don’t understand p>
“I warned you,” I say, stepping closer. “When I kicked you out, I warned you about targeting Sierras and you still had the balls to do it again p>