Chapter 261 An Unwelcome Advance Thwarted\u00a0<\/p>\n
Instead of letting go, Caleb tightened his grip and tried to pull her closer, his other hand moving to encircle her waist.\u00a0<\/p>\n
(66),\u00a0<\/p>\n
Finished\u00a0<\/p>\n
Seeing his intentions turn physical, Scarlett shouted, \u201cCaleb, what the hell do you think you\u2019re doing?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Caleb shed any pretense of civility, his expression turning ugly. \u201cWhat does it matter? Vincent doesn\u2019t want you. That body of yours is going to waste. Why not let me have a little fun? I\u2019ll even marry you once you\u2019re divorced. How\u2019s that for a deal?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He yanked her against him, leaning down to hiss the disgusting proposal directly into her ear.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlett jerked her head back, glaring at him with pure venom. \u201cYou sick bastard, let me go!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Caleb wasn\u2019t offended; he actually chuckled. \u201cAnd what are you going to do about it?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Without a second thought, Scarlett drove her knee upward toward his groin. He reacted quickly, blocking the strike with his thigh, and her attempt to incapacitate him failed.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The fact that she fought back seemed to extinguish the last of his amusement. His eyes turned cold. \u201cScarlett, have I been too gentle with you?\u201d he snarled, his hand moving to claw at the neckline of her blouse.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Just then, a furious shout cut through the night. \u201cCaleb! You\u2019ve got some nerve putting your hands on a woman under Damian\u2019s protection. You looking to get buried?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
It was Zachary\u2019s voice.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Before the words had fully faded, Zachary was already striding over from behind Scarlett. He didn\u2019t waste time on conversation.\u00a0<\/p>\n
As soon as he was within reach, his fist shot out, connecting solidly with Caleb\u2019s jaw.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The impact snapped Caleb\u2019s head to the side. A trickle of blood immediately seeped from the corner of his mouth.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Caleb clutched his bleeding lip, shooting a murderous glare at Zachary. \u201cI\u2019ll touch whoever I want. Who are you to stop me?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Zachary moved swiftly, placing himself squarely between Caleb and Scarlett. He stared the other man down. \u201cGo ahead. Try touching her again, Don\u2019t think that just because your pathetic little company is cozy with Vincent and that prick Daniel, you\u2019re untouchable. Damian could crush your business like a bug without breaking a sweat. You think you\u2019re in her league?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
173\u00a0<\/p>\n
20:01 Wed, Jan 14\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 261 An Unwelcome Advance Thwarted\u00a0<\/p>\n
:\u00a0<\/p>\n
Aa66\u00a0<\/p>\n
Finished\u00a0<\/p>\n
The words sent a visible chill through Caleb. In this city, the business world was essentially divided between two spheres of influence\u2013one centered around Vincent, the other around Damian.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Caleb had managed to ingratiate himself with Vincent\u2019s circle, but that didn\u2019t grant him immunity from the other side. Crossing Damian was a completely different game.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Zachary\u2019s threat hit home, and fear flickered behind Caleb\u2019s bravado.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Still, he tried to salvage some pride. \u201cWe\u2019ll see about that, Zachary. Maybe one day you\u2019ll be the one coming to me for a favor.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Zachary scoffed, his disdain palpable. \u201cCome to you? Don\u2019t make me laugh.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Knowing he was outmatched and out\u2013powered, Caleb had no choice but to retreat. He shot them one last hateful look before slinking away into the shadows, nursing his injured pride along with his bleeding mouth. In this world, without real power, you learned to swallow your anger and disappear.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Once Caleb was gone, Zachary turned to Scarlett, his demeanor shifting instantly to one of concern. \u201cScarlett, are you alright?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlett shook her head, though she was still visibly shaken. \u201cI\u2019m fine,\u201d she managed to say.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Zachary noticed her red\u2013rimmed eyes. He didn\u2019t know the source of her earlier distress and didn\u2019t feel it was his place to pry. Instead, he offered, \u201cLet me drive you home.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlett gave him a grateful look. \u201cThank you, but I drove myself. I can get back.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Zachary clearly wasn\u2019t satisfied with that. \u201cThen I\u2019ll follow you in my car. I\u2019ll leave once I see you\u2019re safely inside.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlett started to protest, but Zachary cut her off gently. \u201cCome on, don\u2019t argue with me on this.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
She finally nodded in weary acceptance.\u00a0<\/p>\n
*****\u00a0<\/p>\n
After tailing Scarlett\u2019s car all the way to Theron Manor and watching her front door close behind her, Zachary\u2019s phone rang. It was Damian.\u00a0<\/p>\n
An impatient voice came through the line. \u201cWhere are you? You\u2019re late.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cGot held up,\u201d Zachary replied vaguely.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cBy what?\u201d Damian pressed.\u00a0<\/p>\n
2\/3\u00a0<\/p>\n
20:01 Wed, Jan 14\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 261 An Unwelcome Advance Thwarted\u00a0<\/p>\n
66\u00a0<\/p>\n
Finished\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll tell you when I get there,\u201d Zachary said, a hint of drama in his tone.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Ten minutes later, Zachary walked into the private room of the upscale lounge. Damian and Felix were already there, the only occupants in the softly lit space.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Zachary dropped onto the plush sofa, plucked a few grapes from the fruit platter on the table, and popped one into his mouth. He chewed slowly, his eyes settling on Damian, who sat across from him looking sullen.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI just saw Scarlett,\u201d Zachary said casually.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Damian, who had been studying the ice in his glass, looked up sharply. \u201cWhere?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIn a park near Ravenshade Villa,\u201d Zachary answered.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cOh,\u201d Damian said, trying to sound nonchalant and looking away again.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Seeing right through the act, Zachary continued, \u201cShe didn\u2019t look too good. Pretty upset, actually.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Damian\u2019s hand tightened subtly around his glass. He shrugged, aiming for indifference. \u201cShe\u2019s not upset because of me. Don\u2019t bring me her problems.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Zachary knew Damian was all talk. He swallowed the last grape. \u201cCaleb was bothering her. Got a bit handsy. Looked like she\u2019d been crying, too.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The effect was immediate. Damian was on his feet in an instant, his expression turning to ice. Without a single word, he strode out of the room, the door swinging shut behind him.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Watching him go, Zachary couldn\u2019t help but laugh softly and shake his head. He called out to the empty space Damian had just vacated, \u201cYeah, I knew it. Tough exterior, soft heart. That\u2019s gotta sting, doesn\u2019t it?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
a\u00a0<\/p>\n
Editorial Board: Our editorial team works behind the scenes to refine each chapter, maintain consistency, and deliver the best reading experience.<\/p>\n
Silent Dreams Never Die \u2014 Author: John Miller 261 Chapter 261 An Unwelcome Advance Thwarted\u00a0 Instead of letting go, Caleb […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[81],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-27625","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-the-impossible-condition-novel"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27625","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=27625"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27625\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27625"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27625"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27625"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}