BookToReadChapter 400 "Do you know why I'm here?" McNeil's voice was hard. "I want to know where Victoria is." Stein sat ramrod-straight on the leather sofa, his expression unreadable, eyes cold and distant.
"What are you two now? Why should I tell you anything?" McNeil's retort caught in his throat. He couldn't say a word. The truth was, he and Victoria had nothing to do with each other anymore. After the court hearings, they'd torn off any pretense of civility. Years of affection had been whittled away, divided up along with the assets.
"When did you two get together?" McNeil's voice was brittle. He couldn't help but wonder if Victoria had been unfaithful to him.
Stein's reply was icy. "I don't owe you any explanation. Now that you're divorced, it's even less any of your business." McNeil bristled at Stein's dismissive attitude. No one had ever dared speak to him this way. But Stein's background and status were unlike anyone McNeil had dealt with before; here, he had to tread carefully.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtHe drew a deep breath, trying to steady himself. "You're decorated, your future is set. Surely you could find a wife of your own. Why take someone else's?" Stein's eyes narrowed. "Did I steal anyone? With my position, I don't need to fight over a woman. If someone truly belongs with you, you should cherish her while she's yours. Don't wait until she's gone to regret it. People aren't possessions; they have their own minds." Every word hit McNeil square in the chest.
"I had my reasons. I can't tell you everything now. But whatever happened between Victoria and me, it's no one else's place to interfere. Or is it, Mr. Langford, that you have no sense of decency? If that's the case, I'd say you're unworthy of your rank." Stein's gaze was piercing. "Don't you know why she left you?" McNeil dodged the question. "Whatever the case, it's between husband and wife. We'll sort out our own problems. You have no right playing the third wheel." If the man in front of him hadn't been Stein, McNeil would have made sure he disappeared without a trace. He wouldn't have bothered with polite conversation.
"Oh, so I can't be the third party, but it was fine when you kept a mistress?" Stein's tone was razor-sharp. "Don't be so selfish—especially not as a man.” McNeil fell silent.
"In the end, you shouldn't be askinganything. If you want answers, go to Victoria. Ask her if she still wants you." Stein glanced at his watch. "It's late. I have to go. Mr. Langford, I suggest you think things through. It doesn't matter who you marry-love is always selfish. If you can't accept the idea of someone else coming between you, don't expect your partner to let you do whatever you want in a marriage. No one in this world owes anyone anything. Women don't need men to live well. If you can't respect women, then perhaps marriage isn't for you." Stein's voice was calm but every word landed heavily, echoing in McNeil's mind.
"Coming towon't help. I'm sure Vicky reached out to you once, hoping you'd cback, hoping you'd take your marriage seriously. But you didn't. So she chose to walk away. It's only natural. No one will wait in the sspot forever- especially not for someone who never truly valued her. Vicky's remarkable. If you can't appreciate her, let her find someone who can." No sooner had Stein finished than McNeil's fist crashed into his jaw.
Enough was enough.
Stein, a soldier through and through, was caught off guard only for a second-he wouldn't make that mistake twice. He struck back, and soon the two of them were trading blows, tearing the suite apart in the process.
But McNeil was no match for Stein. Outside, the security team heard the commotion and burst in, guns drawn.
"Freeze!"
Several pistols were aimed straight at McNeil, but Stein held them back with a look. Both men bore the marks with of the fight, but even battered, their bearing was unmistakably commanding. Disheveled but still dignified, McNeil straightened his suit as Stein's lips curled into a mocking smile.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm"Mr. Langford, you're not as impressive as I thought. If Victoria chooses me, you ought to accept it." He gestured for his team to lower their weapons.
McNeil watched Stein walk out, jaw tight. It was a while before the hotelmanager dared to exter, surveying the Wreckage in stunned silence before approaching with a discreet, professional concern. "Mr. Langford, is there anything I can help you with?" McNeil ignored him, straightened his jacket, and strode out the door.
His phone buzzed a moment later. An unfamiliar number flashed across the screen.
"I've set up a call with Vicky. She's удут agreed to video chat with you m tomorrow at 3 RM. She won't meet in yat person. Say what you need to say then."
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