Self

Chapter 78

Glaring up at Shane, Yale’s voice was spiked with fury. “Why, Shane? You knew Yara was mine. What made you think you could just… Why?!”

Shane just stared back, calm as ever. “Didn’t I ask you? You were the one who said I should go for her, right? What’s got you all twisted now?”

Yale’s mind flashed back to a group chat not too long ago, and he went ghostly white,

Yara was shaking like a leaf, ready to crumble.

Just in time, Wade caught her.

“I’m getting you out of here, now.”

Shane squinted, stepping in their path. “And where do you think you’re taking her? This is my territory. It’s not a come–and–go kind of place.”

Something clicked for Yale, his gaze turning wolfish, anger churning in his eyes.

Wade just lifted his gaze, his normally soft and harmless eyes now sharp and filled with warning. “The big shot behind the NewHaven Hotel conference is none other than Director Shelton from NexTech.

“The meeting’s wrapping up, and he’s there today. One call from me, and he’ll be here in two. Unless you wanted today’s disaster to get back to the Shields and the Johnson family heads, I’d cool it if I were you.”

The Shelton family’s clout in Capitolium was not something the Shields or ther

cons could mess with.

With Wade dropping the names of the family elders….

Shane paused, uncertainty flickering for a heartbeat.

Yale’s frown deepened.

“Also, just so you know, the Sheltons and the Johnsons have business ties. Mess this up, and you’re not just messing with them–you’re messing with much more than you can handle.”

His voice was steady, a clear warning that Shane and Yale could not ignore.

Wade did not even glance at their stunned faces. “Move,” he said.

Yale’s face was a thundercloud of silence, and Shane, with a hard squint, stepped aside to let Wade lead Yara away.

“Argh, this sucks!

Yale booted a rock, feeling like his chest was about to burst.

Zachary and Michael had seen it all go down, but they just looked at each other, too scared to say anything.

Shane grabbed his jacket and headed out..

Yale watched him go, a storm brewing in his eyes.

Xandra reached out, trying to be gentle, “Yale-”

“Back off!”

On the ride back, the skies opened up.

Rain lashed the windows, streaking down as the wind howled on.

Yara watched the storm outside, feeling a hole ripped right through her heart, her whole body trembling.

Then, out of nowhere, Wade’s jacket was on her shoulders, his signature scent–a mix of wood and a hint of coolness–comforting her.

Her pent–up tears broke free, streaming down her face.

Wade heard her soft cries, and it weighed on him.

He told the driver to pull over and put up the divider, giving her space to let it all out. After a bit, Yara’s shaking stopped, and she remembered her earlier meltdown, her fingers clenching. “I… I lost it back there… I’m sorry…”

Wade looked at her, dead serious. “Forget about that crap. None of it matters. People’s opinions are like snapshots; they capture just one angle, and sometimes, they’re just blowing off steam.

“You only get to know what someone’s like by hanging out with them. And from what I’ve seen, you’re pretty awesome. So, don’t beat yourself up, okay?”

His voice was soft, his eyes locked on hers with nothing but honesty. Yara’s tears. slowly dried up because of his words.

She looked up, and their eyes locked.