The Unshackled King (by David Wu) novel Chapter 126

Megan's mature, supple figure and innate seductive charm were the stuff of men's dreams. She appealed to nearly everyone.

What really threw the guests for a loop was that Megan not only greeted Stefan but plopped herself down right next to him.

They were starting to question everything.

Wasn't Stefan supposed to be fresh out of prison?

How did he know another stunning beauty like this?

No sooner had Megan sat down than she felt a slightly hostile stare fixed on her. She turned and found herself looking at Nina's exquisite, flawless face. A smile spread across her own.

"Well, well, if it isn't Nina. You're interested in tonight's auction too?"

Nina's opening shot was loaded with hostility.

"Seriously, Megan, do you ever give it a rest? I can't go anywhere without running into you."

As she spoke, she glanced at Megan, then at Janet sitting beside her. A flicker of annoyance crossed her mind—she should have had Janet sit on Stefan's right. Then Megan wouldn't have been able to plant herself next to him.

Megan let out a soft, teasing laugh. The neckline of her dress hinted at movements beneath that could drown a man's thoughts.

Megan asked, utterly unruffled, "What's with the attitude, Nina? Bristling like that? Is it a crime for me to show up at an auction?"

"Humph!" Nina snorted, then turned to Stefan. "Stefan, you'd better keep your distance from her. Wouldn't want any gossip floating around."

At that, Megan's expression cooled, an invisible pressure radiating from her. "Nina, what exactly are you implying? What are you getting at?"

Nina wasn't intimidated in the slightest. She met Megan's gaze without flinching. "You know what they say about widows and whispers. Do I really need to spell it out?"

Stefan blinked. So Megan is a widow. Well, this is...

Interesting.

Widow? Great. A widow with spirit? Even better.

Stefan's thoughts took a wayward turn, and once they wandered, they didn't stop. The Solar Energy within him stirred like a slumbering beast—and it made him hard.

Stefan caught himself and quickly reined in his thoughts, focusing his mind before things got out of hand.

Marcus was no exception. He and Zoey were seated in the third row. Seeing Stefan planted so prominently in the first row had already sent his blood pressure spiking.

Now another breathtaking beauty, equal to Nina in looks and presence, had not only sat beside him but was actively courting his friendship.

He was consumed with rage, drowning in envy.

In his mind, all this glory rightfully belonged to him—the heir of the Winter family.

Instead, it was being stolen by some ex-con he considered beneath him.

Marcus raged inwardly, unable to accept what he was witnessing.

Why? He's a loser. A convict with a tainted record. What gives him the right?

Even Zoey, sitting nearby, wore a complicated expression. She genuinely looked down on Stefan, found him utterly embarrassing.

But now the man she despised was seated in the front row. And he had not one, but two important women—Nina and Megan—vying for his attention.