I Married My Ex's Billionaire Father
Chapter 223: The Rejection

Chapter 223: The Rejection

The moment Lyse stepped through the door of James’s apartment, she was met with a whirlwind of anxious energy. James, his usually relaxed demeanor replaced by a frantic pacing, rushed towards her, his eyes wide with concern. He enveloped her in a tight hug, his relief palpable.

"Lyse! Thank God you are back!" he exclaimed, his voice laced with worry. "Where did you go? You scared me half to death!"

Lyse sighed, her own anxieties momentarily overshadowed by James’s concern. "I am sorry, James," she said, her voice soft. "I didn’t mean to worry you."

James pulled back slightly, his eyes searching hers. "Where did you go? You left in the middle of the night, without even a note. I was worried sick!"

"I had to go get Levi," Lyse explained, her voice laced with exasperation. "He was... he was drunk, can you believe it?"

James’s mouth opened wide. "Levi? Is he okay?" He asked sympathetically.

Lyse rolled her eyes. "I don’t know, James," she said, her voice filled with weariness. "He called me, or rather, the bar called me, and I couldn’t just leave him there."

"You shouldn’t have gone without me," James said, his voice firm. "How did you handle a drunk Levi?"

"I had Joel’s help," Lyse conceded. "I wished i could leave him there, but I couldn’t just... ignore him."

"Did you come back with Joel?" James asked excitedly and Lyse shook her head.

"You need to give it up, I think he is straight." Lyse said:

James made a face, "I can’t believe Levi let you leave." He said.

Lyse sighed, her expression shifting from weariness to annoyance. "He tried it, this morning, he started going on about Brandon."

James raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued. "Brandon? What about him?"

"He is insinuating that Brandon is dangerous," Lyse said, her voice laced with exasperation. "That he is trying to take advantage of me."

James’s eyes widened slightly. "Well, he has a point," he said, his voice thoughtful. "Brandon did kind of... do everything he did to you, and now he has conveniently moved into this building."

Lyse huffed, her frustration growing. "James, I’m not trying to be best friends with Brandon," she said, her voice firm. "But I’m not going to blame him for a crime he hasn’t committed yet. Levi is making it sound like Brandon is some kind of criminal mastermind."

"I’m not saying he is," James said, raising his hands in a gesture of surrender. "But you have to admit, it’s a little suspicious."

"Suspicious, yes," Lyse conceded. "But not enough to warrant Levi’s paranoia. He’s just... he’s being ridiculous."

She paused, her expression softening slightly. "I know he’s worried about me," she said. "But he needs to trust me. I can take care of myself."

"I know you can," James said, his voice reassuring. "But Levi... he’s just being Levi. He’s always been overprotective."

Lyse sighed, her frustration returning. "He needs to let go," she said. "He needs to realize that I’m not his responsibility at this point."

Before James could respond, Lyse’s phone rang, the shrill tone cutting through the quiet apartment. She glanced at the screen, her brow furrowing slightly. It was an unknown number.

"Who is it?" James asked.

"I don’t know." Lyse shrugged before answering the call.

***

Brooke’s heels clicked sharply against the polished floor of the apartment building, her steps purposeful and determined. She had spent the last few hours meticulously preparing, her makeup flawless, her dress a vision of shimmering elegance. Tonight, she was going to secure her date for her upcoming birthday party, and she was certain that Brandon wouldn’t be able to resist her charms.

She knocked on the door of his apartment, her heart pounding with anticipation. The door swung open, revealing Brandon, his expression a mixture of surprise and slight annoyance. He was dressed casually, a stark contrast to her elaborate attire.

"Brooke?" he asked, his voice unfriendly. "What are you doing here?" He did not bother asking how she knew he lived there, Brooke could be a mini detective.

Brooke smiled, her most dazzling, captivating smile. "I came to ask you a favor, Brandon," she said, her voice soft and alluring. "I’m having a birthday party, and I was hoping you’d be my date."

Brandon smile and folded his arms. "I am not sure that I will be free."

Brooke’s smile vanished, replaced by a look of disbelief. "Not free?" she echoed, her voice laced with incredulity. "You haven’t even asked when the party is, Brandon. It’s going to be the biggest event of the year."

"I am sure it will be, Brooke," Brandon said, his voice laced with a hint of impatience. "But I have a lot going on right now. I’m not sure I’ll have time for a party."

Brooke’s frustration began to simmer. She couldn’t believe he was turning her down. She had gone to so much trouble, she had put so much effort into her appearance. And he was just dismissing her, as if she were nothing.

"If Lyse had asked you, I bet you’d be there in a heartbeat," she accused, her voice laced with bitterness.

Brandon’s eyes narrowed. "Don’t bring Lyse into this, Brooke," he said, his voice hardening. "This has nothing to do with her."

"Oh, please," Brooke scoffed. "You are still obsessed with her, aren’t you? You’d do anything for her."

Brandon’s jaw tightened. "That’s none of your business, Brooke," he said, his voice low and dangerous.

"It is when you’re turning me down for my birthday party," Brooke retorted, her voice rising in pitch. "You’re just going to run to Lyse if she asks, aren’t you?"

Brandon’s patience snapped. "Yes, Brooke," he said, his voice sharp and cold. "I would go if Lyse asked me. Because she’s a much better person than you can ever hope to be."

Brooke’s face flushed crimson. She couldn’t believe he had said that. She couldn’t believe he had compared her to Lyse, and found her wanting.

"How dare you!" she screamed, her voice filled with rage. "How dare you compare me to that... that loser!"

"She’s not a loser, Brooke," Brandon said, his voice laced with disgust. "She is a talented, intelligent, and beautiful woman. Something you know nothing about."

Brooke’s anger reached its peak. She couldn’t control herself any longer. "I’m going to deal with her," she hissed, her voice dripping with venom. "I’m going to make her pay for what she’s done to me."

Brandon’s eyes flashed with anger. He stepped closer to Brooke, his expression menacing. "You’re not going to do anything to Lyse, Brooke," he said, his voice low and dangerous. "If you so much as lay a finger on her, you’ll have me to deal with."

Brooke scoffed. "You think I’m afraid of you?" she sneered. "You think you can stop me?"

"I know I can," Brandon said, his voice firm. "And I will. Lyse is under my protection, and I won’t let you hurt her."

He took a step towards Brooke, his eyes filled with a cold, unwavering determination. Brooke’s bravado faltered. She could see the anger in his eyes, the resolve in his stance. She knew he meant what he said.

"Get out of my apartment, Brooke," Brandon said, his voice laced with steel. "And don’t come back."