Chapter 309

Ethan Blackwood clenched his fists, struggling to contain the fury boiling inside him. His piercing gaze locked onto Vivian Lockhart. "You knew exactly what kind of man he is," he bit out. "So why get close to him? Are you out of your damn mind?"

Vivian met his glare head-on, a mocking smirk playing on her lips. "What kind of man? A hacker, sure. People pay him for his skills. What’s unreasonable about that?"

Ethan’s jaw tightened. "You’d go to any lengths to protect your little hacker boyfriend, wouldn’t you? Even destroying evidence behind my back. If anyone’s shady here, it’s you. Maybe I should be the one staying away."

Silence.

Vivian had a point.

In terms of deception, Ethan had done far worse than Julian Blackthorn. What right did he have to judge?

Julian checked his watch, lips curling into a smug smile. "Apologies, Mr. Blackwood, but our flight is boarding. Move aside. This is Vivian’s first meeting with my parents. We wouldn’t want to be late."

A deliberate twist of the knife.

Ethan’s control snapped.

Jealousy and rage surged through him. He seized Vivian’s wrist, yanking her toward him. "She’s not going anywhere with you."

Vivian recoiled, struggling against his grip. "Let go of me!"

Ethan only tightened his hold, pulling her flush against his chest. "No. You’re not leaving with him."

"Who the hell do you think you are?"

Was he insane?

Her life was none of his business anymore.

Vivian snarled, "We’re divorced. I’m single. You have no right!"

Ethan’s voice turned icy. "Divorced, yes. But I made a promise to your grandfather—to keep you safe for life. That hacker has no power, no wealth. He can’t give you what you deserve. I won’t let you throw yourself away."

Vivian blinked.

Her grandfather had never said any such thing.

Ethan’s arrogance was staggering. "I’ll consider stepping back if you find a man who measures up to me. Until then? You’re not going anywhere."

Vivian gaped.

The audacity.

Did he really believe no one could match him?

"Ethan, you’re delusional," she spat. "Hackers aren’t penniless. For all you know, Julian’s worth could eclipse yours. And he’s just as capable."

Ethan scoffed, pride stung. Like a petulant child, he couldn’t resist the challenge. "Then let’s compare. Right here, right now."

Vivian rolled her eyes. "That’s unfair. Your fortune was built by generations. His? He earned it himself."