Chapter 416

Brian’s fingers tightened around his coffee cup. “What if I do regret it?” he murmured. He’d downplayed Grace’s influence on him back then. He’d initially thought she merely resembled his ideal. However, he gradually realized it was more than that. Seeing someone hurt her, seeing her struck, clenched his heart. Almost unconsciously, he'd rush to her rescue.

The slightest injury to her caused him pain. Whenever she prepared to leave, he was reluctant to let her go, hoping her gaze would linger a little longer. Even just for a moment.

When had he ever cared so deeply for a woman? Besides the little girl who’d saved his life, only Grace. He even wondered if he shouldn't have given her up so easily to Jason. If she’d stayed with him, would the ache of his unrequited longing for the other girl have lessened?

Jason’s eyes, cold and assessing, met Brian’s.

“Is that so?” Brian met his gaze. “I’d like to try and see for myself.”

The two men locked eyes. Even Kyla Corbyn, at the cashier’s desk, sensed the tension. From her vantage point, she couldn't hear their conversation, but their expressions spoke volumes—it wasn't pleasant.

Suddenly, Jason chuckled, a smile too charming to be genuine, laced with sarcasm in his bright, amorous eyes. “I thought you were only interested in the owner of the silver bracelet. Are you going to tell me you have feelings for Grace? Since when did Master Hart become so promiscuous?”

Brian’s eyes iced over, his face paling.

Jason smiled casually. “Tell me, if you find the owner of the silver bracelet, what will you do with Grace? She's been a substitute for you. To me, she’s different.”

“What… is she to you?” Brian asked, his voice hoarse.

“She means the world to me,” Jason said with fierce conviction, though a flicker of anger flickered in his eyes. “Brian, if you want to compete for Grace, you’ll be going against me. Are you willing to do that?”

Shock registered on Brian’s face. He knew Jason cared for Grace, but not this deeply. Jason had placed Grace on a pedestal, equating her with his entire world. Would Grace feel the same about him?

No, Brian thought.

He might be fond of, interested in, and concerned about Grace, but only the owner of the silver bracelet held that same position in his heart—the position of his world. There would be no other woman.

He'd lost to Jason on this point alone.

Was he going to challenge Jason for Grace? Their conflict wouldn't just be personal; it would engulf the Reed and Hart families. Brian knew this, as did Jason.