Chapter 0012
Liam’s POV
“What does he mean by that?” I asked, my eyes narrowing as I caught the odd phrasing in Joe’s words.
The question hovered in the air, tension high between us.
Aria didn’t hesitate. She stepped in quickly, her voice firm and decisive. “He mistook you for someone else.”
“Mistook me?” I repeated, my pulse quickening as the implications of her words began to settle.
Could it be…?
But before I could pursue that line of thought, Joe’s small, trembling voice interrupted.
“Yes, I mistook you for my dad. I’m sorry.” His words came out in a rush, his gaze fixed on the floor, avoiding mine.
The tension in the room seemed to ease slightly, like a rope being loosened just enough to breathe.
But then, just as the moment began to cool, William came barreling out from behind the doorway.
His face was twisted in fury, eyes blazing with an emotion that was too raw for someone his age.
Without warning, he lunged at Joe, shoving him hard. Joe stumbled back, his small frame collapsing to the ground in a heap.
“You’re not just a liar, you’re trying to steal my dad!” William shouted, his voice cracking with anger and hurt.
Aria’s expression hardened instantly. She stepped forward, her presence commanding as she addressed William directly.
“Joe doesn’t lie. Now, tell me what’s really going on.” Her voice was low, controlled, the kind of voice that left no room for
defiance.
William faltered, his bravado melting under Aria’s stern gaze. He shifted uncomfortably, his eyes darting between Joe and me,
like a cornered animal looking for an escape.
“I… I don’t know!” he finally stammered, his voice trembling, a mixture of fear and confusion bleeding into his words.
Joe, still on the ground, seemed to regain his composure. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, broken mechanical
spider.
The sight of it was almost pitiful, yet he held it up like it was a prized possession, like it was a key to something important.
“It’s him! My spider recorded everything!”
I knelt down beside Joe, carefully taking the spider from his hand Inside, there was a tiny camera, just as Joe had said.
I examined it closely, turning it over in my hands. The footage, still stored in the spider’s memory, was shockingly clear: it showed William sneaking away from a group of kids, deliberately smashing Joe’s model, and even stomping on it with a look of
1/2
+15 Bonus
smug satisfaction.
William’s defiance crumbled as the evidence was presented. His lower lip quivered, and tears welled up in his eyes, spilling down his cheeks as he struggled to find his voice.
“L… I did it because ever since Joe showed up, my mom said that you didn’t want to be my dad anymore.” His confession came out
in a desperate rush, the words tumbling over each other.
Joe scoffed from his spot on the ground, pushing himself up to a sitting position.
“My dad is way better than yours. I wouldn’t want your dad anyway!” His voice was sharp, cutting, as if those words could shield
him from the hurt that William’s actions had caused.
Before I could react, a new voice entered the fray.
“Well said,” Logan chimed in, his tone dripping with amusement. He strolled into the room, his presence as commanding as
ever
He moved with the easy confidence of someone who knew exactly how to push everyone’s buttons.
“I think William should compensate Joe to make up for it. How about ten thousand dollars? Or maybe Aria should terminate her
contract and leave your club.”
“Not a chance.” The words flew out of my mouth before I even realized I’d spoken.
The thought of Logan taking Aria away, of him having any control over her or this situation, ignited a fierce protectiveness in me,
one that burned through the confusion and anger I felt.
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