Chapter 111: Raymond’s claim
Lena stood still for a while, her feet rooted to the ground as though they had forgotten how to move. She neither denied nor accepted the endearment Raymond had just used on her, the word echoing faintly in her mind, stirring emotions she wasn’t ready to confront.
"I think I can find my own way home with my friends," Lena finally said, her voice steady despite the tension tightening in her chest. She tried to step past him, but Raymond shifted slightly, his tall frame effortlessly blocking her path.
"Find your way home with who? This man beside you?" Raymond asked, his tone low and dangerous. He didn’t even spare David a glance, as though he wasn’t worth the effort.
"Mr. Black, I don’t think this is right. You cannot just block our path for no reason," David said, irritation slipping into his voice. That, finally, earned him Raymond’s attention.
Raymond turned his head slowly, his gaze settling on David with a chilling calm. "So you do know who I am, yet you openly covet my woman. I wonder... is it audacity you possess, or do you simply not know me after all?" His voice was devoid of emotion, which somehow made it even more threatening.
Lena’s eyes darted around, and she realized people were beginning to notice. The soft hum of conversations nearby was shifting, curiosity drawing attention toward them. The last thing she wanted was a public scene.
"Stop trying to cause a problem," she snapped, her frustration rising. "David is just a friend, and you know it. And even if I were with another man, you have no right to interfere. You and I have no business together anymore, so get out of my way and let me pass."
Sylvia, who had been watching the entire exchange unfold, felt the situation slipping out of her control.
At first, she had been amused and curious to see Raymond’s reaction, but now, the tension was palpable, and she knew better than anyone what Raymond was capable of when pushed too far.
"I think we can settle this outside... calmly," Sylvia stepped in, forcing a small smile. "There’s no need for raised voices or threats. We can talk this through."
"Shut up, Sylvia."
The sharpness of Raymond’s voice stunned her into silence. Her lips parted, ready to retort, but he cut her off before she could speak.
"Don’t you dare say another word. And let this be the first and last time you and Mother help her pull a stunt like this," he continued coldly. "Did you think I wouldn’t see through your little charade? Just because I chose to play along doesn’t mean I’m a fool."
Sylvia stiffened, shock written all over her face. Of course... it was Raymond. Nothing ever slipped past him.
"Stop shouting at her!" Lena snapped, stepping forward, anger blazing in her eyes. "She did nothing wrong. If you have a problem, then take it up with me. I’m the one who doesn’t want you anymore, not them. So why are you yelling at Sylvia?"
A chill ran down Sylvia’s spine as she looked at Raymond. The moment Lena finished speaking, something in his expression shifted.
Then he chuckled, low, dark, and unsettling.
"I have told you before," Raymond said slowly, his gaze locking onto Lena, "you belong to me until I say otherwise. I can sue you for cheating, you know. We are technically married... in a way. I have signed documents, documents bearing both our names, to prove it. And yet, here you are, entertaining another man."
The words hit like a bomb.
David blinked, clearly thrown off, while Lena stood frozen, shock flooding her features.
"What is going on here? Can you please move so the young lady can pass?" David spoke again, trying to regain some control over the situation.
"Can you shut up?"
All three voices, Lena, Raymond, and even Sylvia, cut him off at once.
David raised a brow, surprise evident on his face, especially as he glanced at Lena.
Realizing what she had done, Lena winced
slightly. "I’m sorry," she said quickly, guilt creeping into her tone. "I’m just... overwhelmed."
She took a breath before turning to him fully.
"David, can you excuse me? I need to discuss something with Mr. Black. I promise I’ll reach out to you soon. There’s something we need to sort out."
David opened his mouth to protest, but the words died on his lips when he saw the determination in Lena’s eyes, and the mocking glint in Raymond’s. He shifted his gaze to Sylvia, noticing the unease etched across her face. That alone told him enough.
He sighed quietly.
"Call me if he tries anything," he said firmly. "And I’ll see you next week, as planned, at the fashion show in Vienna Hills."
Lena nodded, offering him a small, reassuring smile.
"You don’t have to worry about me trying anything," Raymond cut in coldly. "She belongs to me. I can do anything I want with her—just like I always have. And one last thing..." His eyes hardened. "If I see you anywhere near her again, I will make sure you disappear from Vegas City."
The threat hung heavy in the air.
David didn’t flinch.
"You don’t scare me, Mr. Black," he replied evenly.
"I’m leaving because Lena asked me to, not because I’m afraid of you."
"If I were you, I would be."
"Well, I’m not you," David shot back, his tone firm.
Raymond’s brow arched slightly in surprise.
David turned back to Lena, his expression softening. "Have a pleasant evening, Lena."
She nodded again, watching as he walked away. Raymond’s gaze followed him the entire time, sharp and unyielding, until David disappeared into the crowd of lingering guests.
Silence fell between them.
"Raymond, you can’t keep doing this," Lena said finally, her voice tight with frustration. "I already told you, it’s over between us.
The only reason
I’m still staying with you is because of the protection you offered me. But if you keep acting like this, I won’t even need that anymore."
Raymond smiled, but there was no warmth in it.
"You still don’t understand what’s going on," he said. "The moment you signed that contract, you belonged to me, completely."
"I thought we agreed to dissolve it once we went our separate ways!" Lena cut in sharply. "Why haven’t you done that yet?"
He shrugged lightly. "Call it luck... or perhaps delay tactics. I kept it for another reason. But fortunately, it can still serve its original purpose." His eyes darkened slightly. "Now, why don’t you behave like my kitten and come home with me?"
"What part of ’no’ do you not understand?" Lena snapped, her anger finally boiling over. "I am not going home with you. You can go to hell for all I care."
She tried to move past him again, but this time Raymond caught her wrist, pulling her back against him. She struggled immediately, trying to free herself, her movements sharp and desperate.
"You are definitely going home with me," he said calmly, tightening his grip just enough to keep her in place. "So you can either walk on your own... or I can drag you out.
Or better yet, carry you like a princess." His lips curved slightly. "Your choice."
Lena clenched her teeth, glaring up at him. Every instinct in her screamed to fight back, to refuse, but the growing attention around them forced her to reconsider.
She exhaled sharply.
"Fine. Let me go. I’ll walk."
She yanked her hand free, brushing past him with a furious stride toward the exit.
Raymond watched her for a moment, a faint smile playing on his lips, before following at a leisurely pace, completely unbothered by the stares trailing after them. Sylvia remained where she was, silent and uneasy, watching them disappear.
By the time they stepped outside, the night air felt heavy.
Sylvia hesitated for only a second before turning away. She had no intention of witnessing whatever was about to unfold next. Without a word, she slipped off into the night, leaving Lena alone with Raymond.
Lena made her way outside toward the parking lot, her mind reeling with anger over what Raymond had done. She wanted him to feel jealous, yes, but not like this. Not by openly fighting and claiming her as his, as if she had no say. It was too much.
If this was how Raymond wanted to play the game, then she was ready.
She felt a flicker of pity for David, already caught in the crossfire between her and Raymond. Still, she refused to bend. She wasn’t ready to dance to Raymond’s tune the way she always had. Not anymore.
She hadn’t just lost her child because of him, only to fall straight back into his arms. If he truly wanted her back, then it would have to be on her terms, her rules, her pace, her choice.
Lena exhaled slowly, steadying herself as she reached her car, her resolve hardening with every step she took forward. She would not be cornered not by love, not by guilt, and not by him.
