CHAPTER 146
Zach eyed the wine glass nervously and blurted out,
"What is that? Are you holding some grudge against Xander? Are you going to poison him when he's at his lowest?"
John sighed, more exasperated than ever before.
Fixing Zach with a stern look, he replied icily, "Better to knock him out than let him lose control."
Realizing his mistake, Zach let out an awkward laugh.
"Sleeping pills, huh? Sorry about that, Jonny. Your timing is impeccable!" He quickly added, giving John a thumbs up.
John dismissed Zach with an irritated glance and made his way to Xander. He quietly placed the glass of wine containing the sleeping pill among the bottles Xander had already consumed.
Xander soon grabbed the glass and downed its contents in one swift motion.
Within ten minutes, his vision started to waver, and after another five, he slumped against the sofa, closed his eyes, and drifted into a deep slumber.
John stood up, approached the still-stunned Zach, and said,
“Get him somewhere to rest. I’m leaving.”
As soon as John finished speaking, he strode confidently out of the room.
Zach watched him leave, a mix of admiration and awe on his face. The ease with which John handled the situation was nothing short of impressive.
Zach couldn't help but reflect on John's formidable presence. In his view, John and Xander were on par in terms of skill, but John's ruthlessness was something to behold.
John’s family had deep roots in the underground world, a legacy that shaped his very being. Zach recalled that while 18-year-old Xander was managing a billion-dollar project single-handedly, 18-year-old John had dismantled a major criminal organization, carving out his path through sheer force and bloodshed.
The name John Yates struck fear into the hearts of many. Even Zach, who had known John since childhood, never dared to provoke him.
John was known for his icy demeanour, rarely showing warmth unless he was being merciless. When his ruthlessness emerged, it felt as if even Lucifer would have to step aside.
Despite his formidable reputation, John was not invincible. He, too, had vulnerabilities. Like Xander, John had fallen deeply for someone, and his infatuation was just as profound.
Zach chuckled to himself, recognizing how fortunate he was compared to his friends. While they grappled with their intense emotions, he had the luxury of enjoying the company of countless women, each vying for his attention. Life, for him, felt like a delightful stroll through a garden of choices.
…
As John entered the ballroom, a striking woman with a sultry figure and a daringly short skirt approached him with a confident sway.
Her long, wavy hair cascaded over her shoulders as she gave him a flirtatious smile. Her voice, soft and alluring, dripped with charm as she asked,
"Care to buy me a drink, handsome?"
John assessed her with a slow, deliberate gaze, taking in her every detail. The woman, fully aware of her effect, maintained a confident demeanour and kept up her playful glances.
“Or perhaps we could take this somewhere more private.”
Experienced in the ways of nightlife, she had encountered countless men, but none quite like John. His features were striking, with a sharp, almost exotic allure that hinted at mixed heritage.
His eyes, a deep, rich brown rather than the usual black, held an intense, almost smouldering gaze beneath his otherwise aloof exterior. He was undeniably magnetic.
Moreover, even beneath his attire, John's physique was apparent, with every movement hinting at the defined muscles beneath his clothes. His entire presence radiated a compellingly masculine energy that was hard to ignore.
The woman felt a rush of excitement at the thought of spending the night with someone so captivating.
John’s lips curved into a faint smile.
“Certainly.”
With that, he slid his arm around her waist, drawing her closer. His fingers gently tilted her chin up, making their proximity even more intimate.
The woman, anticipating the kiss, closed her eyes and puckered her lips.
John’s lips were just about to meet hers when he was abruptly interrupted by a sudden shove. He halted mid-motion and glanced up, bewildered.
Rochelle stood before him, her striking beauty undiminished even in the dim ballroom lighting. She met his gaze with a dazzling smile and, with a casual shrug, said unapologetically,
“Oops, didn’t notice you—guess the lighting here is a bit dim, and you were right in my path.”
The woman’s excitement quickly soured when Rochelle intruded. She opened her eyes, momentarily taken aback by Rochelle’s striking appearance, only to then narrow her gaze with suspicion.
She was well-versed in the unspoken rules of the nightlife, including the principle of ‘first come, first served.’ Wasn’t that common knowledge?
Feigning annoyance, she directed her ire at John.
“Who’s this?”
John released the woman with a composed air, straightened his rumpled attire, and replied matter-of-factly,
“My wife.”
The woman’s initial excitement turned to shock and apprehension as she realized the stunning woman before her was John’s wife.
Rochelle’s smile widened upon hearing John’s words. She strode confidently in her high heels and raised her hand.
The woman’s face paled, her confidence wavering. She knew all too well that provoking a wife could lead to an unwanted slap.
As Rochelle’s hand swung toward the woman, the latter instinctively shut her eyes, bracing for impact. A sharp sound followed, but to her surprise, there was no pain.
When she dared to open her eyes, she saw that Rochelle’s slap had landed squarely on John’s face, not hers.
Under the bright stage lights, the distinct outline of Rochelle’s fingers was visible on John’s cheek, revealing the force of the blow.
The woman blinked in confusion, unable to comprehend what just happened.
Rochelle, after delivering the slap, inspected her hand with a huff and remarked,
“His skin is so rugged and dense that my hand stings from the impact. It felt like slapping a solid wall.”
John calmly wiped his lips with his slender fingers, showing no sign of anger or retaliation.
The woman was left speechless.
Rochelle, folding her arms and studying the woman with a critical eye, said,
“He’s not just scared of his wife; he also tends to wrap things up rather swiftly, if you know what I mean. Are you sure you want to sleep with him?”
It was clear to the woman that this couple was no ordinary pair, and she wisely decided that provoking them was a risk she couldn't afford.
Rochelle briefly appraised the woman's retreating figure before turning her full attention to John, whose face remained impassive. Cutting through the tension, she asked directly,
“Where’s Xander?”
Earlier, when Rochelle had gone to collect Arianna, she had been alarmed to find her in such a fragile state. After calming Arianna down, Rochelle had come straight to find the men responsible.
John's tone was icy and detached. "And if I tell you, what then?"
Rochelle's smile turned menacing. "I’ll make sure he’s not in a position to trouble Arianna ever again."
John arched an eyebrow, intrigued.
"And what if you decided to do the same to me?"
Rochelle’s gaze turned playful as she studied him. With a swift motion, she seized his collar and drew him close.
In an instant, Rochelle’s lips met John’s in a fierce kiss.
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