Everyone in the room halted their actions, turning their gaze toward the entrance where Ronan stood, a chilling aura surrounding him.
"Ask them," Ronan's voice cut through the air, cold and unwavering.
Kieran's brows furrowed slightly at this.
Silas glanced at the two guys Ronan had pushed forward, recognizing them instantly as the troublemakers hanging around with Hanley.
"Got yourselves in trouble with Mr. Beckett, huh? Spit it out!" Silas demanded.
The two shared a look before one shrugged offensively. "It's Hanley. Freya crossed Mr. Sutton today, and Hanley thought he'd teach her a lesson!"
Everyone in their circle knew that Kieran and Ronan were arch-enemies. These two, siding with Hanley, supported Kieran.
Seeing Kieran presiding over the room, they seemed less intimidated by Ronan. "Hanley says he's got Mr. Sutton's blessing to pursue Freya. After she pissed Mr. Sutton off, it's only natural for Hanley to want to knock her down a peg! Ronan, since when do you get to meddle in Mr. Sutton's affairs?"
At this, Kieran's expression darkened significantly.
Everyone's eyes turned toward him. Who didn't know about Hanley's reputation in their circles? Forcing himself on women he liked and then throwing money at the problem was his modus operandi.
Until then, he had restrained himself since Freya was Kieran's fiancée-to-be. But Hanley saw his chance with her engagement to Kieran off the table.
The fact that Kieran seemed to approve of Hanley pursuing Freya only confirmed she had seriously offended Kieran. And in Hanley's hands, Freya's fate was all but sealed.
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