Love Amidst Vengeance

The room plunged into a tense silence.

All eyes were on us, filled with shock, confusion, and an eager anticipation for drama.

"Who is this woman? Is she out of her mind? She actually slapped Ryan Simpson's girlfriend!"

"Wait, I think I remember. Wasn't there someone named Amira Harrison who was with Ryan about five years ago? She got thrown out later."

"So, it’s her, huh? I heard she did everything she could to curry favor with the Simpson family, quite the operator, and in the end, she got her legs broken and tossed out."

"Look at Ryan's face—he's furious. She's in trouble."

Ryan Simpson was supporting Mina Stewart, whose face now bore the distinct marks of a slap. She cried like a tragic figure from a painting.

"Ryan! Can you believe it? She slapped me right in front of you!"

"You have to stand up for me!"

But Ryan didn’t even glance at her; his dark, unreadable eyes were fixed on me, as though trying to dissect me.

"Amira Harrison, we ended things five years ago."

"I thought you'd have more sense than to show up in front of me again."

He advanced slowly toward me, the intensity of his presence almost smothering.

"I don’t care how you managed to sneak into events like this over the past five years."

"But you dared lay a hand on her, so you'll pay for it."

His eyes turned icy, and his voice was commanding.

"Kneel."

"Apologize to her."

I felt like I'd just heard the most absurd joke.

"Ryan Simpson, have you forgotten? Five years ago, when you broke my leg and I lay in that hospital bed, I didn't kneel before you."

"What makes you think I'd kneel to you now?"

I pointed at Mina Stewart, still sniffling behind him.

"Or do you think this little treasure of yours is worth me kneeling down?"

"You!"

Ryan's expression darkened until it seemed like it might crack with rage.

"Very well."

He laughed out of sheer anger, forcing the words through clenched teeth.

"Looks like you've grown a spine over these five years."

He clapped his hands, and several men in black suits appeared instantly, blocking all my exits.

"Since you're not willing to kneel on your own," he looked down at me as if I were nothing more than an insect, "I'll personally make sure every bone in your body breaks again."

Five years ago, it had been the same. He threatened what mattered most to me, trying to force me to kneel. I chose to keep my dignity, even at the cost of my legs.

Now, watching his arrogant face, thinking he still held all the power, I found it both pathetic and laughable.

"Ryan Simpson, do you really think the world still revolves around you?"

My smile remained, but my gaze grew colder.

"How about we make a bet?"

"Let's see who ends up kneeling to whom today."

Ryan's patience ran thin.

He signaled to his guards.

"Grab her."

Two guards moved towards me, ready to seize my arms.

The crowd around us gasped in suppressed shock, anticipating the grim scene of me being broken and discarded.

Mina Stewart wore a smug, victorious grin.

But just as the guards were about to grab me, there was a sudden commotion at the entrance of the ballroom.

A distinguished middle-aged man, dressed in a bespoke suit and exuding an air of sophistication, entered quickly, surrounded by a circle of top business leaders.

"Jeffrey Moore?"

Someone recognized him as the very host of tonight's event, the chairman of Global Enterprises.

Ryan's eyebrows furrowed; clearly, he hadn’t expected Jeffrey Moore to show up in person.

He signaled his guards to halt and adjusted his suit, preparing to greet Moore.

After all, Global Enterprises was a key partner the Simpsons were keenly pursuing.

But what happened next left everyone utterly stunned.