Ann’s heart raced wildly. She was praying in her heart that Kayden wouldn’t reveal her bluff right now.
She stole a quick glance in his direction, and seeing the same cold, detached look on his face, she breathed a little easier. At least like this, he didn’t bother to blame her, and certainly wouldn’t ruin her lie.
But Eddie was so shocked that it looked like his eyes were about to pop out of his head. He stared incredulously at Kayden and blurted, “This… this guy… is your boyfriend? You must be joking!”
Seeing Kayden play along gave Ann even more courage. She leaned her head on his shoulder and rolled her eyes at Eddie, “Why would I joke? Haven’t I told you all along I have a boyfriend? Well, now you’ve met him. I didn’t lie to you. So maybe it’s time for you to stop messing with my life!”
Behind them, Orson couldn’t help but burst into laughter. “Hey guys, did you see that? Eddie got rejected. He can’t even compete with this… hick!”
He made a dramatic gesture toward Kayden, sarcasm lacing his every word.
Of course, he didn’t mean that. He actually intended to mock Eddie!
The girls behind couldn’t hold back either, casting appraising glances at Kayden before turning to Eddie with smirks. “Eddie, you actually got beat by this guy? Oh my… really can’t believe that.”
“Hey, didn’t you just say you could win that girl over in two days, tops? What happened? Looks like she has a boyfriend now-and they seem pretty close, too!”
“Yeah, it seems like she is not the pure and innocent type like you said. Maybe we should leave them alone. They clearly wanna spice up their night.”
“Eddie, you weren’t just blowing smoke, right? Didn’t you say that given your wealth and status, you could have any girl you wanted? Starting to look a little questionable here.”
The girls kept chiming in, their taunts pouring fuel on Eddie’s simmering fury until he was nearly beside himself.
Losing face before girls was something Eddie could never stand. Hearing their jabs, he finally snapped.
“Damn it!” he growled, turning sharply to Ann. “You’re too much! I never thought you’d pull this on me! You two even booked a room together-don’t tell me you actually…”
“Actually what?” Ann blinked, caught off guard by his rage.
“Actually slept with him! Did he already fuck you?” Eddie’s eyes turned red with rage. He was now like a wild beast on the verge of losing all control.
Eddie felt as if his heart was being ripped to shreds. After all the time he’d spent chasing after Ann, she’d barely even glanced his way. And now? She was here at a hotel with a hick, and everyone saw it! If this wasn’t an insult, then what was?
His pride!
His pride was on the line!
Just moments ago, right before these girls, he boasted that he’d have Ann in his arms within three days. And now, all of this happening right before his eyes was like a slap to his face.
The boasts he once made have now become fuel for others to mock him. It was humiliating beyond words.
Ann’s face flushed instantly at his words, and she glared at him, “What nonsense you’re talking about!”
“Nonsense!” Eddie’s face turned a deep shade of red, and he shot back, “You’re calling this nonsense? You’re already at the hotel! Are you going to suck his dick later?”
Ann’s face turned even redder, all the way down to her neck. She had never heard anything so rude. She pressed her lips together and said, “What does it matter to you?”
She took Kayden’s arm and said, “Kayden, don’t pay them any mind. Let’s go.”
She was worried that if they provoked Kayden, he might snap and actually hurt them. The last thing she wanted was for him to cause a scene right here.
Just as they tried to pass, Eddie blocked their way. “Oh, you can go. But he…” he let out a snort.
Eddie jabbed a finger at Kayden and said in a fierce tone, “He needs to stay!”
With a contemptuous snort, he added, “I won’t make things difficult for women. If you’re a real man, then stay.”
In Eddie’s mind, he’d just been shamed. The girl he liked waltzed in here with another guy. And now, behind him, other girls were starting to snicker, clearly making fun of him. He had to teach this hick a good lesson and set an example, to show them all who he was, and to command some respect.
He needed to make them know the consequence of offending him!
If he didn’t make his point now, they’d all think his family’s “influence” was just his big talk.
More than anything, though, this was about pride. To lose face in front of the girl he liked cut deeper than any insult. His gaze narrowed on Kayden. He swore secretly in his heart that no way was he letting this guy walk out unscathed.
Kayden’s gaze focused on Eddie’s finger that pointing at him. He paused, and then, said in a menacing tone, “You’re digging your own grave!”
Those words were icy, lethal, and filled with a deadly chill.
It wasn’t some idle joke; it was a warning, plain and real!
The words landed like a punch. Eddie blinked in shock. Behind him, Orson and the others looked equally rattled, their faces wide-eyed with astonishment. They stared at Kayden, caught off guard by his unexpected threat.
As they snapped out of the shock, Orson couldn’t help but let out a hearty laugh. He strode over and slapped Eddie on the shoulder. “Eddie, did you hear that? This bumpkin is trying to intimidate you, speaking all serious and cold! My goodness!”
Orson was positively gleeful. Seeing the arrogant Eddie threatened by a mere bumpkin was sheer satisfaction.
Not missing his chance to rub it in, he added, “Eddie, don’t tell me you’ve been bluffing this whole time. You’re always going on about being the grandson of Langston Trenton, but we’ve never seen your family show up here, not even once. If you’re really from the Trenton family, you should have bodyguards around, right?”
The girls behind them exchanged glances, suspicion now creeping into their expressions as they eyed Eddie. They’re even wondering if Eddie was a liar.
“I don’t need bodyguards!” Eddie snapped, jaw clenched, trying to hide his irritation.
Orson laughed even louder, practically taunting him. “Please! If a nobody tried to take my girl, I’d make him kneel and beg for mercy, then hand her over himself. But Eddie, you’re all big talk but doing nothing, aren’t you? Because you’re a coward, a loser!”