Owned by a man I couldn't trust

. Before the boy could react, Alex shoved him away. Sam stumble

ormed inside. Seeing the boy on the

ey dragged him out of the was

rotested, but his voice was drowned out by the

this time scraping his elbow on the rough flooring. Pain shot through his arm, but wor

it didn't make it any less painful. The weight of helplessness pressed

e showroom where Rainee was waiting. He tried to compose him

sharp eyes took in the redness around his eyes and the scrape on

ed? How did y

caring tone, the dam he was trying so hard to hold back broke. Tears s

g slightly to meet his eyes. Even though he made no noise, the s

. I won't cry today....." he mumbled, his voice trembling

ittle brother like this hurt, humiliated, and trying to hide it. For his sake,

ierce, and she never hesitated to defend him, even if it meant creating a

each his eyes. "I tripped. It's fine. Let's go now. I

e wasn't telling the truth. His forced smile and downcast eyes betrayed him. Still, sh

said, feigning b

followed Sam's gaze and noticed the man everyone was celebrating, Alex Fraser. He stood at

lth, power, and arrogance preceded him. This was her first time seeing him in person, and his aura practically

e hated

He wasn't watching the ribbon-cutting with awe or admiration like the re

ed. Alex Fraser. He's

er sides. But she kept her voice calm as she gently nudged

to buy it from here. Let's go to a different showroom," he said, his voice lo

rt. "Why?" she asked, though she already knew the answer. "

his shoulders slumping. "I just don't want to make him mad again. His bo

her brother try to suppress his pain. She could fe

smile, to make sure he had a chance at a better life. And for what? So that some arrog

oice trembling as he said, "Let's go, this place isn't for us.

ted to say, but he was trying to protect her from the anger he knew wa

American, her grip tight enough to feel the cold drink sting her skin. She could feel h

, forcing herself to calm down, and turned to walk away.

stain on his favorite white t-shirt. That shirt, which he clai

the brea

ed over in an instant. Without thinking, she spu

stakable. Sam's heart skipped a beat as he saw the lo

his voice filled with pa

s alrea

s Alex's face. The crowd gasped in shock, and the room seemed to

ect shot, and Alex stood there, momentarily stunne

ding in her chest, but her stance remained defiant. Her eye

voice low but fierce, "and I wil

20 bodyguards who had been poised to drag her away stood still, unsure of how to proceed. They were trained to dea

de them think she wasn't just another an

chief to offer to Alex. But Alex, his jaw clenched in irritation, waved him off. He stepped cl

d her, closing the distance, his expression unreadable. But Rain

happen next. The crowd had never seen anything like this an angry woman standing up to one

e. There was no fear in her eyes, no hesitation. Only fire. And for the first

ang out, sharp with fury. "JUST BECAUSE YOU'RE RICH

cont