Chapter 36 Discarded Men
Dalton’s expression darkened at Meryl’s words, a storm brewing in his eyes. In just a few sentences, she had laid bare his affair with Lydia, a revelation that hit him like a slap to the face. In the past, Meryl had always been the quiet one, swallowing her jealousy and never daring to confront him in front of others. But tonight, she was a different woman entirely.
With a bitter laugh, Dalton sneered. “Oh, I get it now. It’s because my engagement to Lydia was made public, and you’re feeling a little shaken up, aren’t you? Didn’t think you cared this much about me, Meryl.”
“Care about you? Where on earth did you get that idea? That’s the most ridiculous conclusion I’ve ever heard!”
Dalton was momentarily speechless, caught off guard by her boldness. “Let me remind you, Dalton, it was I who ended things. I was the one who called off the engagement. Lydia is just picking up the scraps, treating discarded men like treasures she found in a dumpster.”
“Meryl! Do you even hear yourself?” Dalton’s voice was a mix of disbelief and fury. His face paled and flushed in quick succession, his chest heaving with suppressed rage.
The murmurs from the surrounding crowd grew louder, punctuated by a few mocking chuckles. Dalton clenched his jaw, trying to maintain his composure. As a young master in Kingsdom, he had never been spoken to like this, especially not by a woman. Meryl was the first to challenge him so openly.
The words dripped from his lips like venom. “If you apologize right now, I might consider letting this slide.”
“Apologize for what? I haven’t done anything wrong!” Meryl retorted, her confidence unwavering.
Dalton’s temples throbbed with fury. “Oh, so you think I won’t do anything about this? Is that why you’re acting out? To get me to notice you more?"
“Fine! Then come with me!” Dalton barked. He didn’t want an audience for this spectacle. Before she could respond, Dalton reached for Meryl’s arm, intent on dragging her out.
Anne, witnessing the unfolding drama, rushed to intervene but was met with a fierce glare from Dalton. The intensity of his presence was overwhelming, and in her drunken state, Anne lost her balance, crashing to the floor with a gasp of pain.
Meryl instinctively bent down to help Anne, but in a fit of rage, Dalton yanked her back, pulling her away from her friend. Meryl, slender and unable to match his strength, was dragged a few feet before she suddenly bit down on Dalton’s arm, her teeth sinking into his flesh with surprising ferocity.
Dalton winced, finally releasing her as pain shot through him. A vivid bite mark appeared on his arm, blood seeping from the punctures, a stark contrast against his skin. In the dim light of the bar, Meryl stood still, her red dress now a canvas for the vibrant colors of the atmosphere, yet her demeanor was colder than ever.
With a hint of mockery in her eyes, she wiped the blood from her lips with her thumb. “Dalton, do you want to take a good look and see who’s really clinging to whom?”
His gaze fell on her ring finger, where a dazzling object caught the light, making his heart race with a mix of anger and disbelief. Following the direction of his gaze, Meryl looked down at her ring finger. The diamond ring glinted under the lights, dazzling to the point of almost blinding him.
“Oh, I forgot to mention – I’m married now. So, please keep your distance!”
Dalton was momentarily stunned. He thought, "In just a few days, where could she have possibly found someone to marry? She loves me. There’s no room in her heart for anyone else!”
“Do you really think a fake ring will convince me you’re married? Are you playing house?” The commotion around them grew louder, attracting more and more onlookers. The ring was so blinding that Dalton finally averted his gaze.
Meryl said, “Whether you believe it or not, I am married. Dalton, try touching me again and see what happens.”
“I have to say, you really pissed me off.” He grabbed her hand firmly and yanked Meryl toward the exit. The suddenness of his action caught Meryl off guard, making her stumble and nearly fall into his arms. Unexpectedly, as they passed a table, Meryl snatched a bottle of wine from it, gripping it tightly in her hand.