The One He Dismissed Became The One He Died For novel Chapter 180

"Who I befriend and who I date is none of your business, Victor."

"As long as Claire is with me, Yvonne needs to show her absolute respect. Throwing wine on my partner is the real disgrace to the Zimmerman family. Pouring a bottle over her head was just a mild warning."

Those two effortless, brutal sentences completely choked Victor. He spun toward Alistair, his tone panicked.

"Dad! You can't let Miles run wild at an event like this! Someone like Claire can absolutely never join the Zimmerman family..."

"Enough," Alistair cut his eldest son off.

He wanted to defend Miles, but looking at Claire and the tangled mess of their relationships, he genuinely didn't know what to say. He just let out a heavy sigh.

Miles lifted his icy gaze, slowly sweeping over the assembled guests.

He offered a slow, terrifyingly polite smile.

"I'll allow everyone to gossip about what just happened, but only for today, and strictly within the walls of the Royal Imperial Hotel."

"But after today, the second you step out of this hotel... if I hear a single word against Claire, or a single rumor regarding Luna Atelier, I don't care which board of directors you sit on or how much money you have. I will personally destroy you."

Silence reigned supreme.

Not a single person was willing to risk their entire empire over a piece of gossip by offending the future heir of the Zimmerman Group.

The very same guests who had been mocking Claire a minute ago now actively averted their eyes in sheer terror.

The Zimmerman heir was fiercely protective, and he was an absolute lunatic.

Miles gave a curt nod.

"We are done here. Enjoy the rest of your evening."

Without another word, he grabbed Claire's wrist and dragged her out of the banquet hall.

His grip was punishingly tight, leaving a red ring around her skin.

Claire stumbled and scrambled to keep up with his rapid, furious strides.

She jogged alongside him, nervously glancing up at his face.

His jaw was clenched tight, his lips pressed into a harsh line, and he didn't look at her once.

"Miles..." she whispered, but he ignored her. He yanked the passenger door open, shielded her head with one hand, and forcefully shoved her inside.

He leaned in, his imposing frame dominating the confined space, and snapped her seatbelt into place.

Without giving her a chance to speak, he slammed the door shut, rounded the hood, threw himself into the driver's seat, and slammed on the gas.

Miles slowly turned to look at her.

The sea breeze rushed through the open windows, blowing the stray hairs back from his forehead. His dark, obsidian eyes were churning with a violent, devastating storm.

"You dated Jefferson for ten years in college."

Claire remained silent, and nodded.

"So you didn't just approach me for your mother's kidney transplant."

"Because of my connection to Yvonne? You used me to get back at him, didn't you?"

Claire's heart violently seized in her chest.

She opened her mouth, but no sound came out. She gave a slow, agonizing nod.

From the very beginning, this entire game of seduction was born out of impure motives and ugly manipulation.

Watching her slowly nod her head, the very last thread of Miles's sanity snapped completely.

He had known she had an ulterior motive from the second she walked into his life, and he had willingly let himself be used. He had willingly drowned in her.

But he couldn't accept that she loved someone else.