Not Without You

oice shaking as he nursed his bruises. "I won't touc

ancis again. "Still barking orders

laring at the bodyguards.

rd, observing the scene with a cold, calculating gaze. "Enough,"

-kick, glancing at Richa

son that won't stick." His sharp gaze turned to

te the tension. "I should ask you the same thi

First day here, and you're already tangled up

toward Jack. "I just saw my ex-classmate, Jack M

about how Jack has no right to t

is backup to 'silence us.'" She jabbed a finger to

, who stood silently, his posture calm despite the heated atmosph

ice steady. "That's

the name clearly striking a cho

r. "Yes, it is. Why? What's the big deal a

d gestured to the bo

ble to his feet. Francis's face was swollen, tears st

is voice thick with humili

"It's Jack you should be

pointing a trembling finger at Jack. "It's Jack, not Maso

ice cutting through Francis's ra

He fumbled to answer it, his trembling hands hol

hrough the speaker. "Francis! What's going on? Did y

lancing nervously at Richard. "But

on the phone!

phone to Richard, who shook his hea

," Richard

ven't you broken that impostor's legs yet? Drag him to me,

he said calmly, "consider my contract with

e?" she

d. We can destroy you just as easily! I'm se

ng the phone onto a nearby table. Francis stared at him,

d, "please, I didn't mean it. I jus

gaze swept the room. "Francis,

from Richard made him comply. He quic

med in with her lead bodyguard, Bossy, and six other guards. Her sharp

ed. "He's the impost

icy glare to Jack. "Yo

ute. Victoria stepped closer to him, her voice ste

d. "And who are y

your son started this mess. Jack and Victoria are under my pr

ping with disdain. "You think you can shie

nsion. "You want answers? Ask me directly. But let m

in Jack's features. He resembled someone she hadn't seen in

arning. "Madam Clara, tread carefully. You'r

Jack. "Who are you?" she demanded, her voice trembling, though she trie

steadily, his voice calm. "I'm Jack

"You think you can just walk around using our name without

he replied firmly. "That's my n

s rubbing his swollen cheek. "This is the boy you're talking abo

Mum. He's a fraud, and he's been

t, Francis!" she snapped, stepping forward. "Jack didn't '

barked, pointing at her. "

iend, and I've known him longer than any of you. He does

ommanding. He turned to Clara, his expression unreadable. "Y

ne venomous. "Stay out of this, Ric

, his tone turning icy. "Last I checked, you married into it. You're

"How dare you speak to me like that? Yo

or the record, I don't work for hypocrites

forward, towering over the group. "Madam, do you want us to dea

into a humorless smile

rd's words hanging in the air. Bossy hesi

d, pointing at Jack. "Take t

ion unwavering. "No need to drag me anywhere. I'm right her

something hauntingly familiar about him-his features, his presence. It stirre

jaw tightening. "I d

. "Let me guess-you've crafted this whole sob story to m

stepping in front of Jack.

oria. "And who are you to defend him? Do

toria shot back. "And t

" Clara sneered. She turned to Fr

you can't just leave it like this! He's bee

apped, cutting him

efore she exited, Clara stopped, glancing back at Jack one last time. "This isn't over," she s

s expression unreadable

nsion in the room seemed to lift. Victoria let

muttered. "That wo

his voice measured. "Tha

"You held your own. That's more than most people

"What's her pr

life on the Mason name, and the thought of someone else

k trailed off, his thoughts ra

t he didn't elaborate. "She'll be back. P

r tone defiant. "Let her com

n like a true Zach. But don't unde

ia, then back at Richa

't let her intimidate you. And if she tries

ker of gratitude in

smirk. "Don't thank me yet. Something

rancis? Victoria spoke on behalf of Jack, feeling Francis c

urmured, he turned to face Jack. You

odded

you have any friend or relative you can stay

ly, the only friends I have for now a

g to be a little difficult''. While de

an I suggest

ahe

ots of spare rooms that are vacant at the moment'' she star

ey were never close while he dated her best friend Lucy. Was he wrong, assumi

Jack again, '' Would that be okay with you? I wouldn't mind you st

f, although he had been acting all tough, he w

to your place, Jack replie

rd whispered softly as they