Fake Mate Beta Rises to Alpha Heiress (Natalie) novel Chapter 197

Chapter 197 Are You Being Punished?

Chloe’s POV:

B

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Liam pulled me all the way out of the Marshall villa. Just as he opened the car door to shove me inside, I pushed him away roughly.

“Liam, what’s wrong with you?” I snapped. “You clearly can’t stand me, so why bother with my problems? And don’t you get it? Amelia will file a complaint against me! Since we’re practically strangers now, let’s not drag cach other down, okay?”

I tried to go back inside, but Liam loosened his tie, closed the distance in a few quick strides, and forcibly threw me over his shoulder into the car. He buckled my seatbelt, locked the doors, and ignored my struggles.

“You think going back in there will make her forgive you?” he demanded. “Since when do you willingly swallow that much humiliation? Did some guy break your heart again? Is that why you’re asking for punishment?”

His words stung-he was right that breakups hit me hard, and he’d been the one to see me through them every time. He’d witnessed all my pathetic, heartbroken moments.

But my pain wasn’t about those men. He really had always thought this little of me. A lovesick, ungrateful player? Was that really how he saw me?

“Liam, I hate you.” The words spilled out uncontrollably, a childish lashing out, but the hurt and helplessness behind them were real.

Who did he think he was? Why did he always show up during my worst moments, playing the savior, messing everything up, and leaving behind an even bigger mess? He should be standing with his elegant, high-class fiancée and keeping a notorious mixed-blood adopted daughter like me completely out of his life.

Liam ignored my outburst and said, “I’m taking you home. I’ll explain what happened today to Mr. Kelly. You won’t get a complaint.”

Hearing that, my expression softened slightly.

I watched him drive, noticing him occasionally rubbing his arm. I remembered the dull thud when he blocked the cabinet for me. I knew it must have hurt. His shirt sleeve probably hid a nasty bruise already.

He was such a meddlesome Alpha. I kept silent, my nails nearly digging into my palms. For a split second, I almost asked him if it hurt, but I viciously crushed the impulse.

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18:17 Mon, Jan 5

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Chapter 197 Are You Being Punished?

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I couldn’t soften. I couldn’t afford to feel even a hint of softness for him. We could never be together. Not after he chose to accept his family’s arrangement. Not after I made that irreversible decision back then. All that remained between us was this impossible divide.

I didn’t answer him. I just turned and buried my face deeper against the window.

Liam pulled up near a 24-hour pharmacy. I grew tense watching him get out to buy something. Was his injury that bad?

He returned and handed me a small bag from the pharmacy. “Here.”

I was stunned. It wasn’t painkillers or ointment. It was a bottle of hangover relief.

“I’m fine,” I said, my voice softening. My heart felt heavy. He was actually worried about me.

“You threw most of it up, but just in case,” he said.

His words made me glance at his stained shirt. I didn’t argue further. I muttered a thanks and took the medicine.

“I’ll pay for your shirt,” I told him. “And if there’s any fallout with Ms. Marshall…”

“Did you not hear me say I ended things with her?” Liam’s voice was cold. He didn’t look at me, his face completely blank.

I took a deep breath. “Well, you can’t blame me for this one. Ms. Marshall seems tough. If even you can’t handle her. Maybe it’s better to quit early.”

“Who I’m matched with is none of your concern,” said Liam.

I shrank back, feeling like I’d deserved that for speaking out of turn.

Liam drove near the Kelly Villa but didn’t go right to the gate. He stopped the car on a quiet, tree-lined street nearby and cut the engine. Sudden silence fell, broken only by our unsteady breathing.

My nerves tightened. It seemed he had something to say.

“Why are you working at the club?” he asked, his tone unreadable.

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