Chapter 19%
The street outside the elite bar gleamed with gold signage and black marble–an establishment whispered about among the wealthiest circles. Owned by Roscoe Smith himself, it was reserved for the few powerful enough to know its name &
Jared and Jackson stormed past the hostess.M
“We’re here to see Roscoe,” Jared said, voice sharp. The staff stiffened. “Do you have an appointment?” “I’m not leaving without seeing him,” Jared snapped.
No one moved.
No answer.
Just cold, professional silence.N
Jared’s fists clenched. “So that’s it? You’re just going to pretend you don’t know who owns this place? If that coward won’t come out fine. I’ll make a scene.“N
And he did. He flipped a glass from the counter M
It shattered on the floor, earning gasps and panicked murmurs.
Jackson tried to hold him back. “Jared, this isn’t the way-”
“No!” Jared shouted, now red–faced. “I want him out here. Now!“M
The tension stretched until footsteps echoed down the private stairway.
Everyone turned. Roscoe appeared, calm in a charcoal suit, not a single crease on him.
He looked at the mess, then at the man responsible.
When his eyes landed on Jared, he didn’t even flinch.44
“What are you doing here?” he asked coldly.
Jared blinked, realization dawning fast. “You…”
Roscoe didn’t move.
“You’re the man at the hospital,” Jared said, “The one who paid for her… who stayed with her.”#
Roscoe’s jaw flexed. “Correct.”
Jared’s hands curled into fists. “So you’re the one she was cheating on me with.”
“She didn’t cheat,” Roscoe said sharply, “You did.”
That was it. Jared lunged.
Roscoe met him head–on. Their fists collided with fury—anger sharpened by years of betrayal, jealousy, and love that had curdled into hatred.
Jackson tried to pull them apart but soon got dragged into it. Chairs toppled. A bottle shattered Glass flew. Blood smeared on collars and knuckles. Someone shouted for security.M
Roscoe landed a punch straight to Jared’s jaw, but Jared grabbed a broken glass and swung it clumsily. It cut across Roscoe’s forearm deep, sharp.
More yelling.
More chaos.
Security finally burst in.
Roscoe collapsed to one knee, clutching his bleeding arm. Jared’s lip was busted, his shirt tom: Jackson was gasping, bruised, one hand pressing to his temple.
All three were rushed to the hospital. Maureen was at Roscoe’s estate, flipping through fabric swatches for her wedding vell when her phone rang.
The moment she answered, the world shifted.
“Ma’am, this is Saint Lucien General. Your fiancé–Roscoe Smith–has been admitted. He’s in the emergency room. ” Her world tilted.
She was in the car within minutes.#
No hesitation. No breath. Just fear.!!
When she arrived at the hospital, the receptionist pointed her to the ERB
“He’s still inside,” the nurse whispered. “There was a fight.”
Maureen’s heels echoed loudly as she entered the hallway–only to freeze at the sight of the two men sitting outside Jared Jackson
They were bruised but conscious, seated like they belonged there.St
The second they saw her, both stood.
“Maureen,” Jared breathed, his voice thick with emotion.
She didn’t stop walking. He reached for her arm
2:14 PM
She slapped him.
Hard. Then she turned and slapped Jackson across the face.
The sound cracked through the sterile air like a gunshot.
Neither of them spoke.
Maureen looked at them both, eyes burning–not with tears, but with rage.
“You don’t get to be here.”
“Maureen, we just wanted-” Jackson started.
“To apologize?” she cut in. “After everything?”
“We didn’t know it would go that far,” Jared said, voice trembling. “I was angry. I thought he-“N
“You thought wrong,” she snapped. “You always thought wrong.”
They didn’t speak.
She stepped forward, her voice lower but deadlier.
“You showed up at our estate. At my fiancé’s business. You started a fight, and now he’s lying in that room while you sit here looking for redemption.“2
“I’m sorry,” Jared whispered. “I never meant to hurt you.”
“But you did,” she said coldly. “You all did.”
She turned, her heels clicking as she headed to the ER doors–without another glance back.
