I Married My Ex's Billionaire Father
Chapter 216: Fortunate Favors The Bold

Chapter 216: Fortunate Favors The Bold

The air crackled with unspoken animosity as Levi and Brandon stood facing each other, the silence stretching taut between them. Sound of Lyse’s departing car seemed to amplify the tension, the fading sound a stark reminder of what Levi had lost. The two men, once rivals for Lyse’s affection, now stood as adversaries, their shared history tainted by betrayal and regret.

Levi’s gaze was hard, his eyes narrowed as he stared at Brandon. "I know exactly what you are doing," he said, his voice low and dangerous. "And it’s not going to work."

Brandon met his gaze, a defiant smirk playing on his lips. "Do you?" he sneered, his voice laced with arrogance. "Do enlighten me, Levi. Tell me what I am doing."

Levi’s jaw tightened. He didn’t need to spell it out. He knew Brandon’s intentions, the opportunistic gleam in his eyes. Brandon was waiting, lurking in the shadows, ready to pick up the pieces of Levi’s broken relationship with Lyse. He was going to capitalize on Levi’s mistakes, to position himself as the sympathetic friend, the shoulder to cry on which could become something more intimate.

"You are trying to take advantage of her vulnerability," Levi said, his voice filled with disgust. "You are trying to worm your way back into her life, pretending to be the good guy after everything you have done."

Brandon chuckled, a harsh, unpleasant sound. "And so what if I am?" he retorted. "You ruined your chance, Levi. You lied to her, you deceived her. You thought you could keep that night a secret and she would just forgive you? You were wrong. You are out of the picture now, and I am going to take advantage of that."

Levi’s anger flared. He wanted to lash out at Brandon, to wipe the smug look off his face. But he knew he couldn’t. He had no right. He had made his choices, and now he had to live with the consequences. Moreover, he already had enough bad press, it would not look good to be seen fighting with his nephew.

"Lyse is not going to fall for it," Levi said, his voice strained. "She is not stupid. She knows what you are trying to do."

Brandon laughed, a loud, mocking sound. "Don’t be so sure, Levi," he said. "You underestimate her need for comfort. She is hurt, she’s vulnerable. She needs someone to lean on, someone to comfort her. And right now, that someone is me."

Levi’s heart sank. He knew Brandon was right. Lyse was in a fragile state, emotionally vulnerable. She needed support, she needed comfort. And Brandon was offering her that, while Levi was left standing on the sidelines, consumed by his own regrets.

"She defended me to you," Brandon continued, his voice dripping with smugness. "She might act like she is fine, that she doesn’t need any help. But I can see through her facade. She is hurting, Levi, you did that. And I’m going to be there for her. I’m going to be the friend she needs, the shoulder she can cry on or even lie on."

Levi’s fists clenched at his sides. He hated the way Brandon talked about her, the possessive tone in his voice. He hated the thought of Brandon being close to her, comforting her, taking his place.

"You think you have a chance with her?" Levi scoffed, trying to mask his insecurity with arrogance.

Brandon shrugged. "I have a better chance than you do," he said, his eyes meeting Levi’s. "Right now, at this very moment, I have a better chance of being with Lyse than you have. She just defended me to you, remember? She told you she was fine, that she didn’t need your help. She pushed you away, Levi. She pushed you out of her life."

Levi’s stomach churned. He knew Brandon was right. Lyse had pushed him away. She had rejected his apologies, his pleas for forgiveness. She had chosen Brandon over him, at least for now.

"Don’t get too cocky," Levi said, his voice laced with bitterness. "Lyse is smart. She’ll see through your act eventually."

Brandon smiled, a slow, predatory smile that sent a shiver down Levi’s spine. "Maybe," he said. "But by then, it will be too late. I’ll have already cemented my place in her life. I will be her confidant, her support system, everything you were to her. And you will be... nothing."

He paused, his eyes gleaming with triumph. "Remember, Levi," he said, his voice soft but deadly, "opportunity favors the bold. And right now, I am the bold one."

He turned and walked away, leaving Levi standing there, his heart heavy with despair. Brandon’s words echoed in his mind, each one a sharp jab, a painful reminder of his mistakes. He had ruined his chances with Lyse, and now Brandon was waiting in the wings, ready to seize the opportunity.

Levi watched Brandon’s retreating back, his mind racing. He couldn’t let this happen. He couldn’t let Brandon take Lyse away from him. He had to do something, anything, to win her back. But what? What could he do to erase the past, to regain her trust, to make her love him again?

He thought about her words, her cold, distant tone. He thought about the pain in her eyes, the hurt he had caused. He knew he had a long way to go, a steep mountain to climb. He had to prove to her that, that he was worthy of her love. He had to show her that he was the man she deserved, the man she could trust.

He took a deep breath, trying to compose himself. He couldn’t give up. He wouldn’t give up. He loved Lyse, and he was willing to fight for her, to fight for their future. He didn’t know how he was going to do it, but he would find a way. He would find a way to win her back, even if it was the last thing he did. He had made a mistake, a terrible mistake. But he wasn’t going to let that mistake define him. He was going to learn from it, grow from it, and become a better man, a man worthy of Lyse’s love. He had lost her once, but he wasn’t going to lose her again. He would fight for her, he would fight for their love, until his last breath.