Chapter 2 2

Cassius's long legs crossed the bathroom threshold. His leather shoes hit the thick Persian rug in the living room, the muffled thuds signaling the end of the pathetic game.

Corrine stared at his broad back. The bitter taste of failure flooded her mouth. She grabbed a white hotel towel from the rack and wrapped it tightly around her wet body.

She ran barefoot out of the bathroom. Her wet soles left dark stains on the expensive rug. She had to stop him before he put his coat on.

Cassius had already crossed the living room, heading straight for the leather sofa where his belongings lay. The glittering Manhattan skyline stretched out beyond the windows, completely ignored. He didn't even turn around when he heard her rushing footsteps. He simply picked up his black cashmere overcoat, his movements sharp and impatient.

Corrine stopped right behind him. She reached out to grab his sleeve.

"Don't."

His voice was colder than the marble floor beneath them. He could sense her desperate proximity without even needing to look, treating her presence like an unwanted draft of air.

Corrine clenched her jaw. She deliberately let the edge of the towel slip an inch, exposing more of her pale shoulder.

"He left me there," she said, her voice cracking. "He humiliated me in front of everyone. I just want..."

Cassius finally turned around. His deep blue eyes held zero temperature. He looked her up and down, assessing her like a toxic asset on a balance sheet.

"The Mayer family does not tolerate scandals," he said flatly. "Your amateur extortion tactics will not work here."

The harsh words drained the blood from Corrine's face. She took a step forward, trying to use her physical proximity to break his defense.

Cassius instantly stepped back. He established a strict, impenetrable social distance. His eyes screamed defense and contempt.

He pulled his phone from his inner jacket pocket. His thumb swiped across the screen. He was going to call security to drag her out.

Corrine lunged at him. She slammed both of her hands over his hand, pinning the phone against his chest.

The moment her skin touched his, the tendons in the back of Cassius's hand snapped taut. He looked down at her small, white-knuckled hands gripping him.

Corrine tilted her head up. Her eyes were red-rimmed. She looked at him with a mix of begging and defiance. She was betting he wouldn't actually call security and make a public mess.

Cassius stared at her face for two full seconds. He seemed to be calculating the cost. Then, he let out a short, mocking laugh. He twisted his wrist and easily ripped his hand out of her grip.

He slid the phone back into his pocket.

"I have zero interest in playing with my son's used property," he said.

The words stabbed directly into Corrine's lungs. Her body trembled from the sheer degradation. But she forced her spine straight. She refused to crumble completely in front of him.

Cassius turned and walked to the entryway. He slid his arms into his black cashmere overcoat. His movements were elegant, radiating untouchable authority.

Corrine followed him. She couldn't let it end like this.

"Are you just afraid?" she taunted, her voice shaking. "Afraid to admit you actually want this?"

Cassius paused as he adjusted the collar of the coat. He turned his head slightly. He looked at her like she was an insect on his shoe.

He picked up his car keys and a heavy antique gold pocket watch from the valet tray. He dropped them into his coat pocket.

Corrine realized he was really leaving. She sprinted to the entryway and threw her arms out, pressing her back against the heavy walnut door.

Cassius stopped. His massive frame cast a dark shadow under the dim entryway lights, swallowing her completely.

"Move," he commanded. His patience was entirely gone.

Corrine pressed harder against the wood. Her chest heaved. The towel threatened to fall, but she didn't budge an inch.

Cassius closed his eyes and took a deep breath. When he opened them, there was nothing left but absolute cruelty. He reached out and clamped his hand over her bare shoulder.

He ripped her away from the door. He used so much force that Corrine lost her footing entirely. She crashed hard onto the carpet.

Cassius grabbed the brass doorknob. He didn't look down at her. He pulled the door open, stepped into the hallway, and left.