Chapter 539: Chapter 539: My Treasure
Mr. Monroe and Mrs. Monroe stared at the stage in astonishment. They had known Iris Yates for a long time, but they never expected her to be this kind of girl.
Mrs. Yates rushed onto the stage, glaring at Iris Yates. "Is what he said true?"
Her voice trembled as she confronted her.
Iris Yates’s face was pale, a fact even her exquisite makeup couldn’t conceal. She stared blankly ahead. As the spotlight bathed her, she felt as if she were standing naked before the crowd.
"Iris!"
When Iris remained silent, Mrs. Yates reached out to grab her.
But Nathaniel Monroe stopped her, pulling Iris behind him protectively. "It was just an accident, and we’ve both put it behind us," he said. "Ma’am, this isn’t a matter of life and death. There’s no need to treat her this way."
Mrs. Yates raised a hand, pointing at Iris, looking as if she were about to start shouting, but she managed to restrain herself.
She turned to William Quinn, who was now approaching. "What do you want with my daughter?" she demanded. "Do you expect her to take responsibility for you?"
William Quinn nodded with grave seriousness. "Yes. She has to take responsibility for me. That’s why she can’t marry anyone else."
Mrs. Yates frowned. "This is ridiculous! She’s already married to Nathaniel. Your meeting was just an accident..."
William Quinn’s expression darkened. Finally, he aimed his gun at Mrs. Yates.
Mrs. Yates’s face went pale. She took an instinctive step back, not daring to say another word.
William Quinn said, "I’m not here to negotiate with you. Today, she must come with me."
He tilted his head and looked at Iris, his tone softening. "My darling, will you choose to stay, or will you choose to leave with me?"
Though he presented it as a choice, his gun was aimed at her mother, while his men had their weapons trained on some of the guests.
If she gave the wrong answer, the consequences would be dire.
Nathaniel Monroe squeezed Iris’s hand. "Don’t be afraid..."
William Quinn’s gaze immediately shot over. He snarled through gritted teeth, "Let go! She’s mine!"
Nathaniel Monroe met his gaze. "Mr. Quinn, she and I have our marriage certificate. We are a legally married couple. It’s hardly appropriate for you to forcibly take her away."
"Then get a divorce!"
William Quinn was exceptionally arrogant. "The choice is yours."
He suddenly turned to Walker Grant. "You’d better not try anything. We still have a score to settle."
He shot a sinister glance at Chloe Reed before turning his attention back to Iris.
Walker Grant’s expression darkened. ’Things are spiraling out of control.’
"Just go with him! What are you hesitating for?"
"If you don’t go with him, we’re all going to die! I don’t want to die! You’re the one who provoked him, you should be the one to deal with this."
"You’re so shameless, why should we have to suffer the consequences with you? Just hurry up and go with him!"
"..."
Voices rose from the crowd, their tones thick with resentment and blame directed at Iris.
William Quinn just kept his eyes on Iris. "My patience has its limits, my darling. Don’t make me wait too long."
Iris seemed to snap back to her senses. The light returned to her eyes as she looked at him. "If I go with you, you won’t hurt anyone. Is that right?"
A smirk played on William Quinn’s lips, as if he’d already foreseen the outcome. He was delighted. He said, "My darling, you’re in no position to be negotiating terms with me."
