He Lost Me to His Best Friend novel Chapter 268

"Exactly!"

Talia shoved her way forward, breaking Yardley's grip on Scarlett and shielding her friend. "Have you completely lost your mind, Yardley?! Your psychotic family commits actual crimes, and you have the audacity to call Scarlett ruthless? Is this your grand apology? Shielding your toxic relatives while expecting Scarlett to just swallow the abuse?"

Yardley shot Talia a look sharp enough to draw blood.

"What happens between Scarlett and me is none of your business."

He sneered. "I used to think you just had a loud mouth, Talia, but now I see you actively thrive on chaos. If Scarlett wasn't being manipulated by 'besties' like you, she wouldn't be acting this irrational."

"You—" Talia choked on her rage, her face flushed with anger.

Ignoring her entirely, Yardley shifted his suffocating focus back to Scarlett. His tone allowed zero room for negotiation.

"Dawn is perfectly safe inside. And she is staying with me tonight. That is my right as her father."

"If you want to argue custody, have your lawyer, Chatwin, contact me. Until a judge rules otherwise, you cannot unilaterally strip me of my visitation rights."

With that, Yardley clapped his hands sharply.

*Clack. Clack. Clack.*

The side doors of the foyer slammed open. Two dozen estate security guards, dressed in full tactical uniforms and wielding batons, flooded the entryway, forming an impenetrable wall behind Yardley. It was a blatant show of force. He wasn't giving up an inch.

Scarlett stared at the wall of armed men. She let out a bitter, breathy laugh, though her eyes were shining with unshed tears.

"You want to play hardball, Yardley? Try me. I will have this entire estate leveled to the ground tonight."

Yardley stepped forward, his towering frame casting a dark shadow over her.

"Do it. Tear it down. If you don't mind terrifying our daughter in the process, be my guest."

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