Dumped My Cheating Ex. Now I'm Sleeping Next to a Billionaire CEO novel Chapter 1058

James flexed his wrists like he’d just finished taking out the trash, his knuckles cracking with a quiet pop.

He lifted his eyes, still sharp and dangerous, and swept a cold look over the crowd whispering nearby.

That was all it took.

Everyone who’d been gossiping fell silent in an instant.

A beat later, people scrambled back to their private rooms, slamming doors behind them, terrified of catching his attention.

On the floor, a few spoiled rich kids were still groaning, some stubborn enough to try calling for backup. But when they heard someone say James’s name, their hands froze midair, phones forgotten.

Despair clouded their faces.

They’d all heard the stories about James. Messing with him was basically asking for a death wish.

Their moans faded to quiet, choked sobs. No one dared make another sound.

James turned around. The wild, dangerous energy that clung to him seemed to melt away the moment he faced Emmy.

He walked over to her with easy confidence.

“They learned their lesson. They won’t be running their mouths again.”

“Don’t let what they said get to you.”

His voice was rough, his breathing still a little heavy from the fight.

Emmy looked up at him and smiled.

“Honestly, I’m kind of curious what they’re saying about me these days.”

“It won’t matter for long. Soon, nobody will have the guts to talk behind your back.”

Once her charity donation was public, all those rumors would melt away, quick as snow in sunlight.

People might still talk when they thought she wasn’t listening, but nobody would dare insult her to her face again.

That was enough.

Emmy’s eyes dropped to James’s hands at his sides. His knuckles were scraped and bruised, blood beading in a few spots from how hard he’d hit those guys.

She frowned a little and grabbed his wrist, pulling his injured hand up for a closer look.

“You went all out. Doesn’t it hurt?”

James glanced down at her, her lashes casting shadows on her cheeks. A small, crooked smile tugged at his lips as he answered in a low, rough voice.

“Doesn’t hurt. I’m used to it.”

The crowd of battered men on the floor watched the scene, feeling even worse than before.

There they were, sweating and aching, forced to watch this couple act all sweet together. Was their misery really just part of James and Emmy’s flirting routine?

If they’d known James spoiled her like this, they would have done their homework. Now all they had left was regret, bitter and deep.

Emmy tugged James toward the private room.

“Come on, let me clean you up.”

Back inside, Emmy asked for a first-aid kit.

She took his hand, dipped a cotton swab in antiseptic, and carefully cleaned his wounds.

Steve watched the whole thing, his lip twitching.

He rolled his eyes and scoffed. “Seriously. Pathetic.”

Emmy finished with the last bandage and glanced up at Steve, lingering on his expression. She couldn’t help but find it funny.

James stood up suddenly.

He looked at Will, busy with the song list, then at Steve, fiddling with a lighter.

“You two. Come outside for a second.”

He patted Emmy’s shoulder and leaned in, voice low. “You guys have fun. I’ll be right back.”

Emmy nodded. “Go ahead.”

She watched the three men head out to the balcony, then turned back, picked up a microphone, and jumped into karaoke with Abriella and the others.

Once the balcony door slid shut, the noise and music from inside faded away.

The night air was cool, carrying the city’s familiar edge.

Steve pulled out a pack of cigarettes, tapped one out, and held it in his mouth. He handed another to James.

He paused, remembering, and pulled it back. “Oh, that’s right. You quit.”

He offered it to Will instead.

Will shook his head. “I quit too. We’re trying for a baby.”