The Underestimated Ex-husband

The Broken Necklace

“Boss!”

The security guards straightened like soldiers caught slacking while their earlier arrogance vanished in a heartbeat as they bowed, voices trembling with respect.

Ryan Hart froze, staring at the woman who had just stepped to Adrian Kane’s side “Boss? Wait… did you just call her boss?”

The guards didn’t dare answer.

Seraphina flicked her wrist impatiently “Shut your mouths. You don’t have the right to call me anything in front of these clowns.”

Her words silenced the whole place while the guards shrank back as if whipped.

Margaret Hart’s smile faltered and she turned slowly toward Adrian, with suspicion clouding her eyes “Adrian… who is she? Don’t tell me… don’t tell me this woman actually has something to do with you?”

Adrian’s expression didn’t change. Hands behind his back, he said nothing.

Seraphina smirked, tilting her head “You really want to know who I am? Don’t waste your brain cells. All you need to remember is this, insult Adrian in front of me again, and you’ll pay a price you can’t afford.”

For a second, Margaret Hart’s throat tightened because she had no idea how Adrian, a supposed ex-con just released from prison, had ties with a woman like this. Seraphina wasn’t just any random woman and Margaret Hart knew it instantly, and right now, she was standing beside Adrian Kane, the man that everyone thought was just a disgraced ex-convict.

Ryan barked out a laugh, forcing bravado into his voice “So what if you are a big shot? Big deal. Adrian’s still a worthless ex-convict! What’s a woman like you doing with trash like him? Don’t tell me you actually—”

“Watch your tongue” Seraphina’s eyes narrowed dangerously.

Ryan puffed out his chest “Or what? You think I’m scared of you? Please. My sister is the CEO of Phoenix Corporation. My brother-in-law-to-be is Victor Blackwood, heir of the Blackwood family! Do you dare touch me? Hah! You’ll regret it!”

The crowd gasped at the names; Phoenix Corporation, and the Blackwoods were Heavyweights.

Adrian, who had been silent, finally moved. His gaze snapped to Ryan, cold and sharp “Victor Blackwood?” His voice was low but carried.

Margaret hurried to pull her son back “Adrian, don’t misunderstand! This is all just just a mix-up. We don’t want to make this ugly. Here…” She tugged at the necklace around her neck with shaky hands. “I’ll return this to you. See? Let’s not blow things out of proportion.”

Adrian’s eyes darkened. That necklace was his mother’s last keepsake, but before Margaret could hand it over, Ryan snatched it from her.

“Return it? To him? Never!” His face twisted with spite. “If we can’t have it, then neither can he!”

“Ryan, no…!”

CRASH!

The pendant smashed against the marble floor and scattered into tiny pieces. 

Adrian’s body stiffened that he couldn’t breathe for a moment. His hands trembled as he crouched, carefully gathering the shards.

Ryan smirked “Look at him! Picking trash off the floor like a beggar. Pathetic!”

“Shut up!” Seraphina’s roar cut through the hall like thunder. 

She snapped her fingers “Take them down.”

In seconds, her bodyguards moved and Margaret and Ryan were slammed to the ground with their faces pressed hard against the marble.

“Let me go!” Ryan howled. “Do you know who I am? My brother-in-law is Victor Blackwood! My sister is Elena Hart; CEO of Phoenix Corporation! If you dare lay a finger on me, you’re finished!”

Margaret’s voice shook “Please, Miss Doyle! Please! This is a misunderstanding. My son… he’s just a child. He didn’t mean…”

“Child?” Seraphina sneered. “He’s what, twenty? Old enough to know exactly what he’s doing. Old enough to lie, steal, and smash something priceless. Don’t insult me with excuses.”

Ryan thrashed, red-faced “Stop talking to her, Mom! She’s nothing but a spoiled heiress throwing her daddy’s name around. And Adrian?” He spat the name like venom. “He’s filth! A jailbird! Why are we even wasting words on him?”

The crowd buzzed and whispers filled the lobby.

“Did he just insult Seraphina Doyle to her face?”

“Is he crazy?”

“And calling Adrian trash right in front of her… does he have a death wish?”

Seraphina’s eyes flashed like fire, she stepped forward and slammed her heel into Ryan’s chest.

THUD!

Ryan gasped, coughing violently as the air whooshed out of his lungs.

“You think Victor Blackwood can protect you?” she hissed. “He’s not even worthy to polish my shoes. And Phoenix Corporation? Don’t make me laugh. If I decide it, both your sister and your brother-in-law will be nothing more than street beggars by tomorrow morning.”

The guards and bystanders froze, but no one doubted her words.

Ryan’s bravado cracked for just a second. His face paled, but he quickly forced another sneer “Empty threats! You think I’m scared? Do it then! Let’s see if you dare! Victor will destroy you!”

“Ryan, please, stop talking!” Margaret begged, with tears spilling. “You’re making it worse!”

“Worse?” Ryan shouted at her “You’re the one embarrassing me! Crawling on your knees like a dog! Pathetic!”

He turned his glare back on Seraphina “You think you’re so great? You’re just hiding behind bodyguards! Without them, you’re nothing!”

SLAP!

The sound cracked like lightning and Ryan’s head snapped to the side, a red handprint blooming across his cheek while the lobby fell silent.

Adrian stood over him with his hand still raised “That’s for your sister” he said coldly. “For raising a spoiled brat who thinks the world owes him everything.”

Ryan gawked at him, stunned “Y…You hit me?”

Adrian leaned closer, voice sharp enough to cut steel “You’re young, Ryan. But already rotten. Lying, bullying, throwing your family’s name around like it makes you untouchable. You disgust me. I’ll let you off this once for old times’ sake but listen carefully, I won’t show mercy if I ever see you again.”

Ryan’s lip trembled, rage and humiliation twisted his features, but no words came.

Adrian turned away with his fists clenched tight, and began walking toward the exit.

Seraphina gave Ryan one last look of pure disdain before following, while the crowd parted like water as the two of them strode out side by side.

Ryan staggered back to his feet with his chest heaving, while his cheek burned where Adrian had struck him, and his pride screamed louder than his pain.

“You useless ex-con!” he shouted after Adrian’s retreating back. “Don’t think one slap makes you a man! Come back here and fight me if you’ve got the guts! Stop hiding behind a woman! You hear me? Adrian Kane, you’re nothing! NOTHING!”

Adrian didn’t look back even once

Margaret rushed to her son, trying to cover his mouth with her trembling hands “Enough! Ryan, enough! Don’t provoke them anymore…”

“Get off me!” Ryan shoved her away with his chest heaving with fury while his eyes burned with hatred as he glared at the shattered necklace pieces still glimmering on the floor.

“Just you wait, Adrian” he muttered, teeth clenched. “Just you wait…”