"Brice, you've got some audacity! How dare you lay a hand on me? Don't you fear my husband's wrath crashing down on you?" Tilda snapped, struggling to keep her rising terror in check.

Brice froze for a second, then let out a derisive chuckle. "Seriously? You think Lyndon would go to war for you? I'm not so sure about that! Word is, your son isn't even his by blood. He only took you, a single mom with a messy history, because you were useful to him, right? He brought you along today just to sweeten the business deal, didn't he? Mr. Rayne trusts my judgment, so if you play nice with me, I could whisper a few kind words in his ear for your husband's sake."

Tilda's lips pressed into a thin line at his words. Why did Brice view her marriage to Lyndon this way?

Had he stumbled onto something, or had someone fed him a twisted tale?

Her thoughts darted to Ellis. She speculated that Ellis had secretly had a word with Brice.

"Who's been filling your head with lies about my son not being Lyndon's? Was it Ellis?" she demanded.

Brice's smirk widened, but he said nothing. Abruptly, he hoisted her up and flung her onto the bed.

Tilda's face drained of color as she stared up at the man towering over her. "Brice, don't be so quick to swallow rumors—they could land you in hot water."

He hesitated. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Ellis fed you that story, didn't he? Probably claimed Lyndon doesn't care about me too," Tilda pressed.

Brice stayed quiet, arching a brow as if silently confirming her guess.

She let out a cold laugh. "You're a fool, Brice, dancing to someone else's tune without even realizing it! My son is Lyndon's flesh and blood. There was a mix-up years ago. He didn't know the truth at first, but now he does, and he cherishes me more than ever!"

Brice scoffed, unconvinced. "Oh, really?"

"Absolutely! Just look at them-my son's the spitting image of my husband. Can't you see the resemblance?" Tilda insisted, her voice unwavering. "They're like two peas in a pod."

Brice fell silent, his mind flickering to their faces.

Tilda pushed on. "Lyndon adores me. You probably don't know this, but Ellis has a sister. At her engagement party, her fiancé tried to force himself on me. When Lyndon found out, that guy's life was shredded—he's impotent now. If you go through with this, I promise you'll meet the same fate!"

Brice flinched, his eyes darting downward as his brow creased in unease. "You're not making this up?"

"Go ask Ellis yourself if you don't believe me!" Tilda shot back, seizing on his hesitation.

Brice stared at her, saying nothing as if calculating his next move.

Tilda pressed, "You're Xavier's right-hand man, with a promising career ahead. But if you assault me today, Lyndon won't let it slide, and Xavier won't protect you. Why torch your future over some puppet master's lies and wreck your own life?"

Brice narrowed his eyes, his gaze tracing over Tilda's delicate, Luminous skin.

After a beat, he said, "You spin a good story. I almost bought it!"

Tilda's stomach knotted as she caught the glint of lust creeping back into his expression. "What I'm saying is true."

He studied her, the light catching the glow of her skin, desire flickering in his eyes.