Chapter 88
Chapter 88:
“I heard Dr. Vance is very protective of June,” she whispered, her voice soaked with manufactured pity. “It looks like she’s already found her next meal ticket. She moves on so fast p>
Cole’s breathing stopped. The muscle in his jaw ticked violently.
He slammed the whiskey glass down on the table, yanked out his phone, and dialed the resort manager’s private number. “This is Cole Compton,” he growled. “I want the fireworks. All of them. Now p>
Ten minutes later, the quiet night shattered with a deafening boom.
Massive streaks of fire shot up from the private beach. The dark sky exploded into blinding waves of gold, red, and purple — giant glowing peonies and cascading willows illuminating the entire coastline. A million-dollar, custom pyrotechnic show.
The resort’s outdoor speakers crackled to life.
“Ladies and gentlemen, please enjoy this spectacular display, specially arranged by Mr. Cole Compton for Ms. Alycia Beasley p>
On the terrace, Silas frowned as the deafening explosions made conversation impossible. He looked at June with concern.
June tilted her head back and watched the million dollars burn in the sky. A cold, cynical smile touched the corners of her mouth. She didn’t feel sad. She didn’t feel heartbroken. She felt only a profound, bone-deep exhaustion. Cole’s attempt to make her jealous was so childish it was almost funny.
“I’m going to my room,” she said to Silas, raising her voice over the explosions. “Goodnight, Silas p>
𝗠о𝘴𝘵 𝗿𝘦а𝘥 𝗍𝗁𝘪𝗌 𝘸е𝖾𝗸 𝗼𝗇
She stepped off the terrace and into the long, quiet indoor corridor leading to the east wing. The thick walls muffled the fireworks to a distant thud.
As she turned the corner, a figure stepped out of the shadows and blocked her path.
Alycia. Her face was flushed with victory, the manufactured sweetness entirely gone and replaced by a vicious, ugly sneer.
“Did you like the show, June?” Alycia taunted, crossing her arms. “A million dollars, just to make me smile. You are nothing to him. Pack your cheap bags and get out of the Compton family p>
June looked at her with dead eyes and tried to step around her.
Alycia moved sideways, blocking her again. She leaned in close.
“You know why he hates you, right?” she whispered, her voice like a blade. “It’s because of that dead baby. He knew you were too low-class to breed a Compton heir. He’s glad it died p>
The air in the hallway went still.
The mention of her dead child was the absolute, unforgivable limit.
A dark, terrifying storm erupted in June’s eyes. The numbness vanished, replaced by pure, concentrated rage.
She didn’t argue. She didn’t yell.
She planted her feet, twisted her waist, and swung her right hand with everything she had.
SMACK.
The sound of the slap rang through the empty corridor like a gunshot.
The force snapped Alycia’s head violently to the side. She stumbled backward, her heels catching on the thick carpet, and crashed hard against the silk-lined wall. She didn’t fall, but she clutched her rapidly swelling cheek, eyes wide with absolute, paralyzing shock, and looked up at June in terror.
June stood over her like an executioner.