Chapter 291
Chapter 291:
June stopped walking. She looked at Alycia with the same expression she reserved for a stain on a lab counter.
Alycia halted two feet away, clinging to Cole’s arm like a parasite. She looked June up and down, her lips curving into a toxic, pitying smile.
“I was so worried when I heard about the incident at the restaurant last night,” Alycia said, her voice soaked in counterfeit concern. “But I’m glad I found you. I know Cole cut off your trust fund access. It must be so difficult to maintain appearances now that you are on your own. Who exactly is paying for your room p>
The implication was loud and filthy. Alycia was calling her a beggar in front of a room full of Boston’s elite.
Cole’s face turned the color of ash. He tried to rip his arm free, but Alycia dug her nails into his jacket.
June did not say a single word. She did not need to.
Crawford stepped forward. He did not rush. He moved with the slow, terrifying grace of an apex predator, placing his large body directly between June and Alycia, shielding June from view entirely.
He looked down at Alycia. His dark eyes were completely dead.
“Ms. Beasley, your ignorance is showing,” Crawford said. His voice was not loud, but the freezing authority in his tone brought the entire dining room to a dead silence.
Crawford let his gaze travel slowly around the room, ensuring every executive and socialite present was listening.
р𝘰𝘱𝘂𝗅a𝗋 s𝗍𝗈𝗋𝘪eѕ 𝗈n
“Ms. Erickson is the highest-tier VIP guest of the Love Group,” he announced, his words carrying cleanly off the marble walls. “Every expense she incurs in this city is paid directly from my personal accounts — because her intellectual capital alone holds a potential value that could dwarf half of your group’s total holdings p>
The words landed on Alycia like a physical slap.
A collective, audible intake of breath rippled through the dining room. The wealthy patrons stared at Alycia with open, freezing contempt.
Alycia’s face flushed a violent, mottled red. Her Chanel suit suddenly looked like cheap plastic. She cast about desperately for any foothold of dignity.
“I see,” Alycia stammered, forcing a sickeningly bright smile. “Well, June, I am having high tea with some of the local board wives this afternoon. You should join us p>
It was a pathetic attempt to drag June back into a social hierarchy she controlled.
June finally moved. She stepped around Crawford’s broad shoulder without a glance at Alycia, her eyes going directly to Crawford.
“We are going to be late for the FBI briefing,” June said, her voice completely flat.
She walked past Alycia as though the woman were invisible.
Crawford looked at Cole. A slow, mocking smirk touched the corner of his mouth — a look that said, plainly and without words: Control your garbage.
He leaned slightly toward his head of security, his voice dropping to an imperceptible murmur. “Let the word spread. The more untouchable she appears, the safer she will be from petty threats. The real syndicate won’t be deterred by this anyway p>