The Phantom Heiress Rising From The Shadows

Once His Wife, Now His Rival 232 Chapter 232 Stóp Questioning Her Jade's nails dug into her palms as Ethan's address of Brenna as "my woman" slipped through the air with deliberate provocations. Every endearment between them landed like a slap against her very public affections.

Was this his way of refusing her? Jade's gaze turned to Brenna, sharp as daggers. The intent behind her narrowed eyes was unmistakable. She wanted her gone.

A subtle flick of Jade's eyes sent Viper drifting closer. He caught the murderous implication at once. Her order was clear. However, with Ethan and Ernst near Brenna, any move would have to wait. He needed to take action when Brenna was alone.

Brenna was oblivious to the coiled threat and only had her mind on Braeden's promise. Were his people sent to protect her close? If not, had they done something else to protect her safety? Her thoughts shattered as Jayceon appeared across the grill, with Fay clinging to his arm.

Brenna couldn't help noticing Jayceon's skill at the grill. His movements were smooth and precise. Also, the skewers coff perfectly cooked and seasoned just right. It was obvious he had done this plenty of times before, probably alongside Ethan and Ernst.

However, there was something Brenna couldn't understand. Why flaunt Fay when everyone knew he was supposedly courting Ellie? Before Brenna could say anything, Jayceon said, "Ellie has been ghosting me. Even Patrick is keeping his distance. Any idea why?" The meaning in his words was not so subtle. He must be scared his playboy habits had reached Ellie's ears. He wanted to know if Brenna had told Ellie anything about it.

Brenna snapped, "You already have a woman by your side now, Mr. Russell. How could you still think about another woman? Don't you think Fay might be displeased hearing that?" Right on cue, Fay pursed her lips and tightened her grip on Jayceon's arm. "Jayceon, I'm right here. How could you ask about another woman? Am I not enough for you?" The sweet display turned Brenna's stomach.

Ethan cast a brief glance at Brenna, then leveled a cold warning stare at Jayceon. Brenna was his woman. any disrespect toward her would not be tolerated.

The unspoken message in his gaze was crystal clear.

...d Jayceon stiffened, irritation flickering behind his eyes. He had long suspected Brenna was the one who had 18:16 < Chapter 282 Stop Questioning iter exposed his womanizing to Ellie, and that was why Ellie had refused to get back together with him.

He just hadn't found the tto ask Brenna about the matter before.

Fay tugged insistently at Jayceon's arm, demanding his attention One sharp glare from Jayceon shut her up instantly. She knew full well that she wasn't his first choice. She was only here because she had begged him to bring her.

Jayceon's original plan had been to invite Ellie and Patrick. But after countless ignored calls, Ellie finally picked up, only to reject him outright.

No amount of sweet-talking could sway Ellie's refusal.

That was why Jayceon had brought Fay here, Catching Ethan's warning glare, Jayceon reined in his temper. "Miss Harper, my feelings for Ellie are real. I'd appreciate it if you stopped turning her against me. Your words have caused misunderstandings between us." Brenna saw straight through it. His calm facade couldn't hide the anger simmering beneath the surface. She wasn't in the mood to play nice. And Fay's presence only stoked her frustration.

She said, "Stop pretending you care about Ellie. You don't bring a side piece to an important gathering if you're serious about her. Do you even realize what it means to introduce Fay to your friends and business partners like this?" Fay smiled smugly, knowing exactly what it meant. Jayceon was sending a message. She was his girlfriend, possibly even his future wife.

"Jayceon's face darkened. "It means nothing. Fay and I are just friends."

Brenna's eyes flashed with renewed anger. "Is that so? Because from where I'm standing, you're making it very clear that Fay is the woman you've chosen to stand beside you." Jayceon's temper flared. "But Ellie is my son's mother! If she really wanted nothing to do with me, why keep the child?"

Brenna let out a sharp, humorless laugh before saying, "Your confidence is unbelievable. Ellie's decision to keep the child is her own; it has nothing to do with you. Don't flatter yourself. She could just get her son a stepfather. You're hardly indispensable. You can forget about getting back together with her." Ethan couldn't stand watching his friend argue with Brenna. From his perspective, Jayceon wasn't just arguing with her. He was confronting her.

He had stood by Jayceon through countless missteps. However, losing Ellie's love was the consequence of Jayceon's poor choices; it had nothing to do with Brenna.

"Enough," Ethan interjected sharply. "What Brenna said is right. Stop questioning her."

Meanwhile, Ernst slowly shook his head. His disapproval of Jayceon echoed everyone's sentiment. Briny here had been a mistake. He believed Jayceon deserved Brenna's harsh NO words. ay 18:16