THE SPITEFUL BRIDE: Marry To Rival's Son novel Chapter 25

Chapter 25

Mia held his gaze, chin slightly lifted.

“You can’t hurt me,” she said, her voice calm and steady.

He raised a brow, intrigue flickered in his eyes.

“You’ve been in the business world too long to be impulsive,” she added. “You won’t ruin everything over a little girl walking into your office. Especially one people know came here.”

Jeremiah didn’t move, he waited for her to spill whatever she wanted to.

“If anything happens to me, anything, it won’t end quietly. You know how fast stories travel online, and how quick one headline can collapse stocks.”

That made his jaw twitch, barely. He gave a chilly smile.

“Is that a threat?”

“No,” she said, voice calm. “I’m just informing you.”

He stared at her for a beat too long. Then laughed, a dry, hollow sound.

“You really are your father’s daughter.”

But his next words were a jab, razor-sharp. “It’s a shame you won’t be the one ruling Meyer’s empire.”

Mia smiled, slow and steady. “I didn’t know you and Stefan were so alike. Always joking.”

His face didn’t twitch, but his eyes darkened.

“You know what I think shame is?” she asked, tilting her head, “it’s how someone so calculating, is so blind that he can’t see the gem he has for a son.” His jaw tightened, that hit where she wanted it to. She knows he wouldn’t hurt her, even if he denies it, she knows he’s scared of his son.

Jeremiah stormed forward, fast and dangerous. Like he wanted to strangle her right there. But Mia didn’t move, not even an inch. Her heart was pounding so hard it echoed in her ears, but she stayed still. Her hand clenched the chair she sat on, tight, hidden and invisible to the man that looks like he wanted to strangle her.

“What do you want?” he asked, voice low and sharp. “Don’t let me ask again.”

She stood, so calmly. “I came to give you this.” She pulled out the invitation and held it out. “Tomorrow is our engagement party. And you’re invited, Father-in-law.” She made sure to draw the ‘father in-law’.

With that, she turned and walked away.

His laughter followed her, dark and twisted. But Mia didn’t stop, she didn’t even dare to look back. Down the hallway, she exhaled deeply for the first time. Her legs were steady, but her fingers trembled slightly.

She’d just stared down the most feared man in the business world, and lived. Jeremiah Sterling really was the devil in human form.

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She asked around and was led to Sienna’s office. When she stepped in, her brows lifted in surprise. Elena was laughing. Actually laughing, with Sienna. Mia blinked.

Sienna caught sight of her and grinned. “You survived.”

Mia chuckled softly, pulling out another invitation. “This is for you.”

Sienna accepted it with a warm smile, fingers brushing the edge of the envelope. “Thanks. Wouldn’t miss it.”

As they were about to leave, Sienna asked, “Where are you off to?”

“Shopping, “Mia responded.

“Can I tag along?”

“Of course you can” Elena replied before Mia could.

“Traitor,” Mia muttered playfully under her breath, but she nodded. She couldn’t hate her, Sienna didn’t act like the others. And she needed to get along with her, for Stefan’s sake.

The three ladies sat, tucked into a quiet corner of the restaurant Sienna had picked. It was stylish but not loud, exactly the kind of place that offered privacy with good food.

Their shopping bags had been packed away, Mia’s in her car, Sienna’s in hers.

Menus lay open in front of them, but they were more focused on their conversation than food. Mia, distracted, glanced at her phone. She had sent Stefan a message earlier, inviting him to join them. But he hadn’t response.

She frowned slightly, then typed again. “We need to be seen together, remember?.”

A single word came back: “Location?” Mia smiled and sent it.

Elena caught the change in her expression. “Who’s making you smile like that?”

Before Mia could answer, Sienna smirked. “It’s my brother, isn’t it?”

Mia looked away, cheeks warming. The two women exchanged knowing glances and started teasing her.

About twenty minutes later, the soft hum of conversation in the restaurant shifted. A few heads turned, that was when the girls noticed the whispers and subtle stares.

They looked up, to see Stefan walked in, tall and composed, with Mose right behind him.

Mia’s eyes went straight to Stefan. Elena and Sienna, though trying not to show it, couldn’t help watching Mose. Each woman had her own thoughts, quietly annoyed at the attention the men were getting from other women nearby.

Stefan’s gaze landed on Sienna, and hardened. He hadn’t known she would be there. Why would Mia bring her to their lunch?.

Without a word, he sat beside Mia, while Mose slid in next to Elena.

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Elena tried to lighten the mood, throwing in random stories and teasing remarks, but Stefan and Mose weren’t making it easy. Their curt responses and blank expressions kept dragging the energy down.

Mia gave Stefan a sharp look, the kind that clearly said we’re outside, play along. But he didn’t even blink, he sat

there like he hadn’t noticed her at all.

Sienna picked up on the tension. With a soft sigh, she stood up. “I’ll get going,” she said, forcing a smile.

“Don’t forget tomorrow” Mia replied, standing to hug her briefly.

“I won’t” Sienna glanced at Stefan. “Bye, brother,” she said lightly.

He didn’t respond, didn’t even look her way.

Sienna’s smile faltered for a split second, then she turned and walked out.

After a while, Elena looked between Stefan and Mia, then huffed. “It’s like the both of you forgot why you’re even together. Everyone’s watching.” She flashed an exaggerated grin. “Try this.”

Mose winced. “That looks cringe as hell.”

“But at least people would believe it,” Elena snapped. “And you….” she turned to him, “aren’t you supposed to be advising him? Do your job.”

That shut Mose up.

Mia stepped inside Stefans penthouse first, her heels clicking against the marble floor like warning shots. Stefan trailed behind, expression carved from stone. Mose and Elena followed, their glances wary.

By the time the door shut, Mia couldn’t hold it in anymore. Why was he annoyed because she invited his sister, she didn’t do anything wrong.

Whipping around, she snapped, “I asked you if it was okay to invite your father. You told me, and I quote, ‘Do whatever you want.’ So why the hell are you acting like some sulky child who had his toy stolen?”

Mose froze mid-step. Elena stopped beside him, her eyes wide like she’d just been splashed with ice water.

Stefan didn’t even flinch. He took one slow, lethal step forward, his eyes dark and unreadable. “What did you just say?” His voice was low, and dangerous. It sent shivers down her spine, her chest rose and fell quickly.

Her heart had begun to pound, but she lifted her chin anyway. “You heard me.”

Elena suddenly grabbed Mose’s sleeve and whispered, “Out.”

“What? Why?”

“”Do you want to stay in the room when married couples are having issue? They both need to find a way to work whatever is going on out alone.” She said dragging him out.

The door clicked shut behind them, but Mia barely noticed. Her gaze was locked on Stefan’s, and his on hers.

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