I Married My Ex's Billionaire Father
Chapter 254: Make Her Speak

Chapter 254: Make Her Speak

The rusted neon sign buzzed faintly overhead as Levi leaned against the chipped brick wall of a boarded-up convenience store, arms wrapped around himself to fend off the cold. His clothes were wrinkled, his shirt still partially unbuttoned, and a thin trail of dried blood lingered on the cuff of his sleeve from where the cameraman’s blood had splattered. The early morning air was sharp, but the adrenaline still coursing through him dulled the sensation.

A pair of headlights sliced through the darkness and slowed as a sleek black SUV rolled into view. The vehicle pulled up beside him, and the driver’s side window lowered.

"Jesus Christ," Chris muttered, peering out. "You look like hell."

Levi didn’t respond. He simply opened the passenger door and collapsed into the seat with a groan. Chris leaned over, scanning him for injuries.

"Did someone beat the crap out of you, or is this just... high fashion after a breakdown?"

Levi offered a weak, humorless chuckle. "Let’s just say... I had an unexpected photoshoot scheduled."

Chris stared at him for a beat, then pulled away from the curb. "Where the hell were you? This address is nearly two hours outside the city. Did you go on a hiking trip and get mugged by a bear?"

Levi exhaled slowly, pinching the bridge of his nose. "I didn’t drive here. Anya did."

Chris glanced at him, confused. "Wait. Anya? As in, Anya?"

Levi nodded. "She showed up posing as my driver. Drugged me. Took me to some dump of a hotel. Tried to get some kind of scandalous photo op going while I was unconscious."

Chris blinked. "She what?"

"Yeah," Levi said, voice grim. "It was a setup. There was a guy there too, with a camera. She was on top of me when I came to. I managed to fight her off and hit the guy with a lamp. Then I ran."

"Jesus," Chris muttered. "Do you think she was trying to blackmail you?"

"She wasn’t doing it for herself," Levi said. "Brandon put her up to it."

Chris’s hands tightened on the steering wheel. "You’re sure about that?"

"I saw his name pop up on her phone. He called her while she thought I was still out cold. She ignored it, but I saw it. It’s the only thing that makes sense. He has been circling Lyse like a vulture ever since we split. This was a hit job. A setup. Make me look like a cheater or worse—get pictures of me compromised and leak them. Ruin me in Lyse’s eyes."

Chris exhaled slowly, digesting the information. "Okay... I get that this looks bad. Real bad. But you’re accusing someone of conspiracy and attempted blackmail. That’s not something you toss around lightly."

"I know what I saw," Levi snapped, then softened. "I know how Brandon thinks. He’s manipulative. He’s been playing both sides right from the beginning, just like his m."

Chris shook his head. "You need to go to the hospital first. You were drugged. You might still have something in your system. You need blood work, medical records, a police report—"

"No."

Chris raised a brow. "Levi—"

"I’m not waiting," Levi said. "I need to look that bastard in the eye and ask him what the hell he thinks he’s doing."

"You think he’s just going to confess?"

"No," Levi said. "But I need him to know I know. I need him to see I’m not going to roll over and take this."

Chris was quiet for a moment, then sighed. "Fine. I’ll take you. But if he so much as lifts a finger at you, I’m dragging you straight to the ER."

"Deal."

The rest of the drive passed in tense silence. Levi sat with his head back against the seat, eyes half-closed, his thoughts spiraling. Images of Lyse flickered in and out of his mind—her smile, the pain in her eyes when she’d walked away, and the bitter taste of betrayal when he realized someone was orchestrating his downfall behind the scenes. Again.

He would not let Brandon win. He was not going to let anyone mess with his happiness.

Brandon’s apartment building loomed over them as they pulled into the underground parking structure. It was a pristine tower of glass and steel, cold and impersonal, much like the man who lived in it.

Chris parked, casting Levi a wary glance. "Sure you’re ready for this?"

Levi didn’t respond. He was already opening the door, his legs steadier now as the remnants of the drug continued to fade from his system.

The doorman recognized Levi immediately and stepped aside, too intimidated by his stormy expression to ask questions. They took the elevator up in silence.

When they reached Brandon’s floor, Levi didn’t knock. He pounded on the door with a closed fist, the echo of the impact reverberating through the hallway.

The door opened seconds later.

Brandon stood there, barefoot, wearing a white T-shirt and designer sweatpants, as if Levi’s intrusion was a mild inconvenience. He looked Levi up and down, unfazed by his disheveled state.

"Wow," Brandon said flatly. "You look like you’ve been through a war zone."

"You know damn well why I’m here," Levi growled, stepping into the penthouse without waiting for an invitation.

Chris followed silently, closing the door behind them.

Brandon arched a brow. "And why’s that?"

"Anya," Levi snapped. "You sent her after me."

Brandon tilted his head in mock confusion. "Did I?"

Levi stormed forward, fists clenched. "She drugged me. Tried to take photos to make it look like I was cheating. I woke up in a sleazy motel room with a camera in my face. You think I wouldn’t figure it out?"

Brandon gave him a bland look. "If she did something stupid, that’s on her. Not me."

Levi’s jaw clenched. "She got a call. From you. I saw it. Don’t lie."

Brandon smiled thinly. "So I called her. That’s not illegal. Last I checked, having a conversation doesn’t mean I orchestrated a crime."

Chris stepped forward, arms folded. "You might want to rethink your tone, Brandon."

Brandon ignored him. "You want someone to blame, Levi? Fine. Blame her. But I’m not the one who got sloppy. If she screwed up, that’s her burden to carry."

Levi’s voice dropped to a low snarl. "You’re playing with fire, Brandon."

Brandon leaned in, whispering coldly, "And you’re bleeding from the smoke. Tell me who is really losing here old man."

Levi lunged, but Chris grabbed him by the shoulders and dragged him back.

"Enough," Chris said. "We are leaving."

Levi’s chest heaved, his eyes locked on Brandon, who just stood there, smug and untouched.

As Chris turned Levi toward the door, Brandon’s voice followed them.

"Be careful, old man. Accusations can be dangerous. Especially when you’ve got no proof."

In the elevator, Levi slumped against the wall, his breathing ragged.

Chris sighed. "He’s not going to confess, you know."

"I didn’t expect him to," Levi muttered. "But now he knows I’m not going to take this lying down."

Chris gave him a sideways glance. "What are you going to do?"

Levi looked up, eyes sharp. "Find Anya, and make her speak."