Chapter 1009:
She shrugged off Frank’s attempt to restrain her, her voice sharp and biting. “Frank! I am the heiress of Ares Global. When have I ever been treated with such disgrace? Humiliated in front of those worthless officers and their companions! Not only did you fail to defend me, but you actually blamed me?”
Frank hesitated, his tone defensive yet uneasy. “It’s not that I’m refusing to defend you. But it was just a game! Rylie didn’t even mind, so why should you? We need to concentrate on the bigger picture.”
“Rylie, Rylie! It is always Rylie with you!” Kristen shouted, her long-suppressed anger bursting free. “You keep telling me to tolerate things, to think about the bigger picture. What else are you even capable of? You cannot even bring yourself to join me for a simple water volleyball game! You useless addict! You are nowhere near Brad’s level. No wonder my father never trusted you with the family business or allowed our wedding to happen!”
Her accusations struck Frank in his most vulnerable spot. Nothing wounded him more than being compared to Brad and coming up short, especially when Kristen was the one saying it.
J𝗼𝗂n 𝘵𝗵𝘦 𝖼𝘰𝘮𝗆𝘂ոі𝘵𝗒 а𝘁 𝗀𝘢𝗹nоvе𝘭𝗌.cо𝘮
Acting on raw instinct, Frank lifted his hand and struck Kristen across the face.
Both of them went still, stunned by what had just happened. When the reality of his action sank in, fear flashed in Frank’s eyes. “I’m sorry, Kristen. I did not intend to do that.”
It was the first time he had ever laid a hand on her, and Kristen’s expression turned bitterly cold. “Not even my father ever raised a hand against me.”
Yanking herself free from his grip, fueled by fury and hurt, she shoved him hard and turned to storm away.
“I can take care of my father’s assignments on my own, without endlessly having to join forces with you to grab the Morgans’ assets!”
Without sparing Frank a single glance, she slipped across the wet floor, her steps unsteady yet resolute as she left the celebration behind.
Frank stood there watching her disappear down the corridor, his expression shifting through frustration, regret, and simmering anger. In the end, he chose not to chase after her. Instead, he turned toward the wall and drove his fist into it with a hard, echoing blow, releasing a low curse under his breath.
To be honest, he was exhausted by Kristen’s constant outbursts, especially now, when they needed to act with precision and restraint. Her impulsive behavior had the potential to destroy everything he had carefully arranged. He needed to steady himself, and Kristen needed a harsh dose of reality to knock some sense into her.
Meanwhile, Kristen, still clad in her swimsuit, felt the cold night wind bite into her damp skin, yet the chill only fueled the storm in her chest.
Why should she stomach such humiliation? She was the heiress of Ares Global, someone who should have been admired and revered, not belittled like some ordinary nobody.
Her anger and wounded pride surged as she approached a row of decorative string lights. They were meant to cast a warm, cheerful glow for the Christmas celebration, but through her tear-stung eyes, they warped into a mocking crown above her head.
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