Chapter 18:

Seeing Elyse stand up for Jayden, Hiram laughed and clutched his belly. “Ha, look at you hiding behind a woman, you coward,” he jeered, prompting laughter from his girlfriend. Elyse’s expression darkened. “Even in a wheelchair, Jayden maintains his good reputation,” she retorted sharply. “And you? You need Jayden’s help just to shop.”

The store employees exchanged uneasy glances, their eyes on Hiram. Feeling their scrutiny, he snapped, “Who do you think you are to judge me?” Elyse lifted her chin defiantly. “And who do you think you are? Why are you leeching off our visit? If you want to shop, do it yourself. I’ve never seen anyone so shameless, mooching off us and then insulting us.”

“Bitch!” Hiram shoved his girlfriend aside and lunged toward Elyse. She instinctively stepped back, but he reached for her. Jayden swiftly intervened, grabbing Hiram’s wrist.

“Why are you grabbing me? Let go!” Hiram demanded, struggling, but Jayden held firm. “Xander’s a loser, and so are you, dragging your older brother Egan down with you. Do you know why he lost to me? It’s because of deadweights like you two.”

“You son of a bitch! You set us up!” Hiram seethed, blaming Jayden for his downfall. The scandals had cost him his position in the company, leaving him disgraced.

With a mocking smile, Jayden replied, “It’s all because you and Xander committed so many misdeeds. Without that, how could I have had the opportunity to seize Egan’s resources?”

“Bastard! I’ll beat you to death!” Hiram, consumed by anger and aware of the truth, continued to blame Jayden for his misfortune. Jayden deftly caught Hiram’s other fist and tightened his grip. As the pain intensified, Hiram’s face contorted in fear. Jayden smiled. “I told you, you’re a loser, but you wouldn’t believe me.”

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