It was his way of pretending he was still the man on top, that he hadn’t needed a woman to get where he was.
But deep down, he knew the truth...
He, and the entire Keller family, had only made it this far because of Brianna.
That's why he always felt so insecure and sensitive around Brianna.
It was only with Lauren, a girl from some forgotten small town, that he could feel like a man again and salvage his pride.
And so, one bad decision had spiraled into another.
Brandon stared at Brianna's cold, indifferent face.
After having tasted the sweetness of power.
Now, Brianna wanted to take it all back.
Without the Blackwoods' support, the Keller family… would inevitably face financial ruin!
No!
He absolutely could not lose all of this!
He couldn't lose the Blackwood family as his backer!
Without Brianna, the Keller family was finished!
Brandon's expression suddenly turned sinister, his whole face twisting.
He grinned, a nearly pathological smile spreading across his lips, and abruptly grabbed Brianna's arm, pulling her into his embrace.
“Brianna, you've always liked me, haven't you? And it just so happens you've come of age today… It's time something happened between us! Even if something does happen, it'll just be because we're both into each other, right?”
Brandon stared at the sweet, pretty girl before him, at her young, soft, and delicate body.
Her hands gripped the curtains tightly. She could feel Brandon's nauseating presence closing in, and her voice trembled. “Brandon, don't be crazy! If you really touch me… you, and the entire Keller family, will be finished!”
“No! You're the little princess of the Blackwood family!” Brandon laughed menacingly. “The day you come of age, you fall head over heels for me, unable to resist your passion. After that, what man in all of Vaelion City would still want you? You'll have no choice but to marry me, right?”
“Don't worry, Brianna… My previous promises to you still stand. From now on, I'll be devoted only to you. I'll only love you…”
“Brandon! You wouldn't dare!” Brianna's fingers trembled as she dialed a number.
She had no idea who she was calling.
But the very instant the call connected.
Brandon, with lightning-fast reflexes, lunged forward, grabbed her arm, and slapped the phone from her hand, sending it crashing to the floor.
Brianna's heart sank with it. Overwhelming fear made her whole body tremble as she let out a piercing scream.

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