Chapter 944 Ethan and Tom Shield Connor
After Lily hung up, she nestled against Vincent's chest.
"Beck is starting to panic," she whispered with a sly smile. "Once Beck and the Powell family destroy each other, we'll be the ones reaping the benefits."
Vincent smirked, twirling a strand of Lily's hair between his fingers. "You've played this beautifully."
Meanwhile, at Connor's place, Joe and Justin were politely asked to leave due to an unexpected visitor: Beck.
Beck was clearly agitated, desperate enough to approach Connor directly. His plan was transparent—to gain control of the Hawthorne Group's shares through Connor, knowing that if Connor cooperated, he could seize everything currently held by Avery.
"Head home now, boys. I have business to attend to," Connor said, ruffling Justin's hair as he sent them away with Joe.
The boys exchanged knowing glances as they hurried off. "That middle-aged man is definitely trouble," Joe muttered.
"Must be the bad guy Dad warned us about," Justin replied, alarm bells ringing in his head.
Ethan had specifically told them to watch out for a middle-aged man who might try to harm Connor. They needed to alert their father and Tom immediately.
In the living room, Connor faced Beck with cold disdain. "You're not welcome here."
"Yet you let me in," Beck remarked, surveying Connor's home. "I stopped by your studio first. The receptionist mentioned you were off today, so I came straight here."
Connor's voice deepened. "I only let you in to avoid a scene that might frighten the children."
"Ethan's kids? I have no interest in bothering them," Beck said with feigned innocence.
Connor scoffed. "Just state your purpose."
"So you're living with this Tom fellow now? Both of you... gay?" Beck asked casually, still examining the room. "I thought you'd never touch another man again. Seems Owen was right—once a man has been with men, it's a hard habit to break."
"Try it yourself if you don't find it disgusting," Connor shot back, his hands trembling with rage. He wanted nothing more than to end this man, if only murder weren't illegal.
"Tom—poor boy, recently orphaned," Beck mused, shifting his attention. "Connor, I'm offering you a partnership for your own good. Refuse, and I'll be forced to take... alternative measures."
"You'd threaten him?" Connor laughed coldly. "He's Ethan's cousin—a Hamilton. Touch him, and I guarantee you'll regret it."
Beck's eyes darkened, though his smile remained. "Mutual destruction, then. Even a cornered dog will bite. If I go down, I'm taking you all with me."
"Feel free to try," Connor challenged, his amusement vanishing.
"Connor, I preferred you as a child—so small, pretty, soft. Now you're... too aggressive," Beck said with a cold smile. "Though I don't usually go for men, for you, I might make an exception."
"Is that so?" Connor's veins stood out on the back of his hand, though he maintained his composure. "You should thank the law for protecting you. Otherwise, you'd already be dead."
Beck raised his hands in mock surrender. "Fine, I'll stop provoking you. I genuinely came to discuss business. If you agree to transfer the Hawthorne Group shares to me, name your price—anything you want."
"Would you agree to drop dead?" Connor asked icily.
"Don't be so hostile, Connor," Beck chided, positioning himself as the elder. "What would Tom think if he knew about your past? Would he still want you? Or would he find you... tainted?"
"Tom is straight—he's only ever dated women. And he doesn't live here; he stays next door with Ethan. Ask Ethan yourself if you don't believe me," Connor reminded him. Using Tom as leverage wouldn't work.
"But he admitted it himself," Beck said, rising from his seat. "I met him downstairs when I came looking for you earlier. Impressive physical specimen—would have assaulted me if my bodyguards hadn't intervened. Could have landed himself in prison."
Connor's expression darkened. Tom had met Beck?
"He claimed to be your boyfriend, warned me to stay away from you. Said he'd kill me if I bothered you again," Beck recounted, clearly believing every word.
Connor rubbed his temples. Was Tom insane? A straight man pretending to be his boyfriend? What a sacrifice.
The door burst open with a bang. Tom stood there, breathing heavily.
He'd been about to drive to Boston when Joe called, saying Beck was with Connor. He'd rushed back immediately.
"Have you lost your mind letting him in?" Tom asked Connor worriedly, kicking the door shut behind him and rolling up his sleeves, ready to fight.
Though Beck was sturdy, his middle age was no match for Tom's strength. One punch sent him sprawling.
Connor stepped forward to restrain Tom. "Hit him again and you'll end up in jail."
Tom grunted, positioning himself protectively in front of Connor. "Listen carefully—he's mine. Mess with him again, and you'll regret it."
"See? He admits it," Beck said, wiping blood from his lip while looking at Connor.
Connor didn't bother explaining that when straight men say "he's mine," they mean friendship, not romance.
But Beck had clearly misunderstood.
"Think it over, Connor. We'll talk again," Beck said, approaching Tom. "Young man, control that temper. I know Connor better than anyone—I have childhood photos and videos of him. If you'd like to see—"
Tom raised his fist again, but Connor held him back.
"Mr. Murray." Ethan's deep voice came from the doorway. "I believe I warned you recently that Connor is under my protection. He's off-limits."
Beck's expression darkened as he turned to look at Connor suspiciously.
Connor massaged his temples. Great, another misunderstanding.
"Well, well. Quite the arrangement you have here," Beck said, clearly misinterpreting. "Mr. Douglas, with such a sterling reputation in business circles, enjoys both women and men?"
Ethan, possibly the straightest man alive, had no idea what Beck was implying.
"This makes things even more interesting," Beck said with a meaningful smile at Connor before departing.
"What's wrong with him?" Tom cursed.
"He thinks you're my lover," Connor explained.
Ethan pointed at Tom. "You—go straighten this out with that lunatic. He can misunderstand you, but leave me out of it. My wife is sensitive; if he spreads these crazy rumors, my peaceful home life is over."
Tom pointed at himself. "Seriously? You're throwing me under the bus? Do I look like I'm into men?"
Ethan nodded earnestly. "You do, actually. Plus, your reputation isn't exactly pristine—people already say you swing both ways. So this is your responsibility. And while you're at it, warn him to stay away from Connor, or the Raymond Group will destroy the Murray family."
Connor looked at Tom and Ethan, slowly unclenching his fists.
Perhaps he wasn't abandoned in the abyss after all. At least he still had friends.
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