Marrying My Father's Enemy
Chapter 46: William’s Anger

Chapter 46: William’s Anger

Chapter 46: William’s Anger

William stood outside the university building, fuming.

Eira’s rejection replayed like a cruel joke to him.

Just as he was about to leave, he felt someone watching him.

He turned and saw Vanesa approaching with a clear smirk on her face.

"You know," she began, "she doesn’t deserve you. Ungrateful, really."

William rolled his eyes. "Not interested, Vanesa."

"Heh!" She laughed, stepping closer. "Oh, come on. You really think she’s worth all this? The girl barely acknowledges you. Meanwhile, here you are, doing everything for her. It’s pathetic, William."

"Stay out of it," he muttered.

"Why should I? I know what you’ve done for her. And for what? She doesn’t see you, William. She never will. But I see you."

"Right." William’s voice fell.

Vanesa crossed her arms. "You don’t even know what you’re throwing away. Look at you. Rich, powerful... thanks to your father, no doubt."

William’s jaw tightened. "You don’t know anything about me or my father."

"Oh, but I do. I know who your father is. And I know you’re not just some nobody, William. You’re one of them now." Her eyes sparkled. "You’ve come a long way from that quiet boy nobody noticed."

William shook his head. "You don’t understand."

"Try me."

He glanced away, trying to decide if he should walk away or confront her.

"I wasn’t always this way, Vanesa. I was... nothing. Just a kid with big dreams." He looked down. "There was this girl... she was poor like me, back then. I promised her I’d become someone. That I’d take care of her someday. So I worked. I did whatever I could to make it happen."

Vanesa raised an eyebrow. "And now you’re wealthy, powerful. All for a girl who doesn’t even care about you?"

"It’s not about her." William’s voice grew tense. "It’s about keeping my word."

Vanesa smiled. "Then why are you wasting all this on Eira? She doesn’t care about your promises, your loyalty. And yet here you are, letting her walk all over you."

"She’s not walking over me."

"She is," Vanesa pressed. "Open your eyes, William. Eira takes your friendship for granted, and you know it. But me? I’d never do that."

He studied her, uncertain. "Why do you even care?"

She moved closer. "Because I know who you really are. The rest of them don’t see it. But I do. I see what you could be, what we could be... together."

William crossed his arms. "And I should just trust you?"

"Why not?" Vanesa’s voice was persuasive. "Think about it. You’re wasting your time chasing after someone who’s already married, who’s only using you when it’s convenient. I wouldn’t do that to you. I know your worth."

He turned, thinking of the years he’d spent working toward that promise, the sacrifices he’d made. "I don’t know..."

"It could be." She touched his arm. "Think about what we could have. You deserve someone who understands you, who’s actually here for you."

"Even if that were true, I don’t see why it would be you."

"Because, William"—she leaned closer, her voice almost a whisper—"I want you. I’ve seen what you can do, what you’ve become. And I know who your father is. I could help you, we could have so much together. You wouldn’t have to waste your time on people who don’t appreciate you."

William’s expression softened slightly. "So, you’re only interested because of who my father is? Because of what I have?"

Vanesa’s smirk returned. "Not just because of that. But let’s be honest, it doesn’t hurt."

He shook his head. "You don’t get it, do you? All this... it wasn’t about the money, or power, or any of this. It was just a promise."

"A promise you’ve already kept," she countered. "So why not let go and do something for yourself?"

William looked away, feeling the years he’d spent holding onto a memory, a promise he wasn’t sure anyone else understood.

William’s expression hardened, his jaw clenched as he looked at Vanesa.

Her words twisted something inside him, something that had been building ever since he watched Eira walk away.

"You know what, Vanesa?" His voice was like ice.

"You’re nothing but a user. All this fake interest, just because of who my father is? Because of what I’ve earned?" He took a step forward. "You know nothing about me."

Vanesa smirked once again.

She was always enjoying power, and putting people down was one of her hobbies.

"Oh, I know exactly who you are. A guy with too much pride, clinging to some childish promise to a girl who doesn’t even want him. You’re blinded by it, William. Lucky for you, I’m right here."

"Lucky?" William let out a bitter laugh. "If ’luck’ is dealing with someone as shallow as you, I’d rather be cursed. You think I’m some ticket to easy money and power. Don’t you ever cross me with this garbage again, Vanesa."

Her smirk vanished, replaced by a raised eyebrow.

Before he could move, she raised her hand and slapped him across the face, her ring slicing a line across his cheek.

William’s head whipped to the side from the sting, but he turned back without hesitation.

He raised his own hand and slapped her back, his face was full of disgust.

They stood in silence, both breathing hard, each refusing to back down.

"Don’t ever do that again," he warned. "And don’t think you can play me."

Vanesa’s face changed, her cheek turned red. "You’ll regret this, William. Don’t forget—I know things."

"Get lost," he replied in a deadly calm voice. "I don’t want to see you again."

She glared at him for a long, tense moment before spinning on her heel and walking away, shoulders rigid, leaving William alone in the evening air.

He took a deep breath, a strange sense of relief went over him as he watched her go, feeling like he’d finally severed a toxic connection he should’ve cut long ago.

But there was one thing he could’ve forget: he needed to get rid of Callian Reed as soon as possible.