Chapter 3 The Person Who Needs To Leave Is You

Caylee drove straight to the Walsh estate, brushing aside the thoughts still buzzing in her head from that strange encounter at the traffic light. Whatever it was, she didn't have the luxury of sorting it out now. She had somewhere important to be.

As soon as she walked into the house, she stopped in her tracks. Brett and Stacey were sitting there, and the cheer on their faces disappeared the second their eyes landed on her.

Brett stormed forward, voice sharp with fury. "Caylee, what the hell are you doing here?"

Before Caylee had the chance to reply, the butler stepped in. "This young woman is the healer Mr. Walsh personally invited. Zephyr."

The air in the room dropped a few degrees. Stacey shot up from her seat, her voice shrill with outrage. "Caylee, you expect us to believe you're Zephyr? This is a scam! When Matthew comes back and finds out you're bluffing, you won't walk away so easily!"

Brett's glare only darkened. "Caylee, enough. Whatever stunt this is, stop it now. We're divorced. Stop hanging onto me. And let me be crystal clear. Walsh Group's partnership has nothing to do with you anymore. So, leave."

Caylee didn't even bother with a retort. She rolled her eyes, walked over, and dropped onto the sofa like they weren't even worth her time.

Stacey's restraint cracked. "You've got to be kidding me! Don't tell me you still haven't gotten over the divorce, and now you're trying to ruin Brett's deal just for revenge? How could you be this cruel? He looked after you for three whole years and gave you everything, and this is what he gets in return? No wonder Matthew hasn't been answering Brett's calls. Did you poison his ear against him?"

Her accusation poured fuel on Brett's temper. He snatched Caylee's wrist, barking, "Answer me! What exactly did you tell Mr. Walsh?"

Caylee pulled her arm back and stood tall. "Brett, I owe you no explanations. But if you keep pushing me, I'll make sure your deal with the Walsh Group falls apart."

Her defiance stunned him for a beat, then his anger surged higher. He snatched her wrist again and dragged her toward the door. "Fine. If you won't leave, I'll throw you out myself."

"Let go!" she shouted, yanking against his hold, but his grip only tightened.

Caylee wasn't strong enough to break free, and just as he was hauling her toward the doorway, a tall man blocked the entrance, and then, a deep, commanding voice cut through the tension. "Mr. Griffiths, what do you think you're doing?"

Brett froze. The air in the room turned heavy, and he quickly released Caylee, lowering his head. "Mr. Walsh."

Matthew stood framed by the light spilling in behind him, the weight of authority clinging to him. After all, as head of the Walsh family, his very presence demanded deference.

In high society, the Griffiths were seen as influential, but compared to the Walsh family, who had ruled at the top for almost a hundred years, the difference was clear as day.

In front of Matthew, Brett had no choice but to act respectfully.

Yet Matthew didn't even spare him a glance. His eyes went directly to Caylee instead. "Are you hurt?"

Caylee opened her mouth, but Brett jumped in first with an awkward laugh. "It's just a misunderstanding, Mr. Walsh. She's my ex-wife. She followed me here and started causing trouble. I'll take her away right now." His eyes cut to Caylee in a sharp warning.

But Matthew blocked his way, his face giving nothing away. "You're wrong, Mr. Griffiths. Miss Jenkins is my guest today. The person who needs to leave is you," he said, his eyes piercing, putting Brett in his place effortlessly.