?<strong>Chapter 397:</strong>


    “I’ve had enough of your excuses,” Brook thundered, his grip tightening around Jayden’s cor as he tried to yank him from his wheelchair. But just as he had missed when attempting to kick the wheelchair, he couldn’t move Jayden now. Brook’s eyes zed crimson with blind fury, and losing all control, he drew back his fist and aimed at Jayden’s face.


    The punchnded with a sickening thud, whipping Jayden’s head to the side. He let out a muffled grunt and wiped his lips with his thumb, his gaze turning icy. But he remained silent, his motives unclear.


    Corrie was gripped with fear as her thoughts raced, envisioning Jayden revealing his true colors and shedding the pretense of his disability. She imagined Brook, all show and no strength, left defenseless against Jayden’s wrath. She had noticed that Jayden could have easily dodged Brook’s punch. Her sharp eyes noticed a flicker of hesitation that allowed the blow to connect. She felt sure Jayden was nning something.


    Brook’s incandescent rage distorted his face, blinding him to Jayden’s true identity as the formidable head of the Bayzee Group and the likely retaliation he faced. On the other side, Debora gasped softly. Seeing Jayden’s bloodied lips, she felt a wave of sympathy. Still young, she remembered Jayden from the past when he stood tall and strong. Even in a simple ck suit, he radiated an aura of royalty.


    When Debora went abroad for her studies and heard that Jayden had been in a car ident, losing the use of his legs, she hadn’t thought much about it. She assumed Jayden remained the same, with that noble aura that made him untouchable. However, seeing him take a punch without reacting shattered that illusion.


    Back when Jayden was the supposed sessor of their grandpa, Debora hadn’t consideredpeting with him, believing the position rightfully his. But now, seeing the former golden boy confined in a wheelchair so vulnerably, she believed she still stood a chance, even though he was the founder of the Bayzee Group.


    As Brook raged against Jayden, he suddenly pivoted toward Corrie, his bloodshot eyes fixed on her. Corrie had been a silent bystander, uninvolved, but now Brook advanced, his anger turning toward her. Startled, she backed away until her back hit the icy wall. With a cating smile, she tried to calm him. “What’s gotten into you? I haven’t done anything to offend you. Please don’t take out your anger on me.”


    Brook lunged forward, grabbing Corrie by her hair as he pointed an using finger at Jayden. “Wasn’t he your ex? Do you still have feelings for him now that you see him like this?”


    Corrie was speechless. What was wrong with Brook? Biting her lip, she fervently denied it. “I don’t, and I never did. He’s nothing to me. I love you now.”


    Brook’s icy stare remained locked on her, piercing through her defenses. Corrie felt her scalp tingle under his gaze as realization set in. Brook had spiraled into madness.


    “How will you prove what you’re saying is true?” Brook demanded.


    Corrie was exasperated. “How am I supposed to prove it to you?”


    “It’s simple,” Brook replied, pointing at Jayden’s legs. “I heard he hurt his knees in that ident. Go on, kick him there.”


    Debora watched in frozen shock, unable to bear the sight. “Brook, this is too much. Jayden’s already crippled, and you’re still tormenting him.”


    Brook remained unmoved, his face void of emotion. “This is between Jayden and me. If you can’t handle it, leave and stop whining.”


    Debora’s voice lowered, disappointment heavy in her tone. “You’ve lost your mind.”


    Brook scoffed. “Lost my mind? You don’t know me at all. This is payback for his betrayal. He could’ve helped me but chose not to. Then he had the nerve to bring up our family rules. I knew he just wanted to humiliate me.”


    Recognizing Brook’s instability, Debora sighed, deciding it was pointless to argue further.


    Jayden sat hunched in his wheelchair, his expression nk. His fingers tapped softly on the armrest, and beneath his loweredshes, a storm of danger and sarcasm brewed unnoticed.


    Corrie knew she had to prove herself to Brook. She locked her gaze on Jayden, bracing herself. She had to strike him as Brook ordered. If Jayden sought revenge, he could take it up with Brook. Plus, she believed he wouldn’t resort to violence against women. Buoyed by this belief, Corrieshed out at Jayden with two quick kicks, taking personal satisfaction.


    Brook’sughter rang out as he watched. In one swift move, he wrapped an arm around Corrie’s waist, gripped her chin, and nted a forceful kiss on her lips. The kiss caught Corrie off guard. She concealed her revulsion, suppressing the disgust churning inside.


    But for Brook, the kiss wasn’t enough to humiliate Jayden. He grabbed Corrie’s breast and pinched it forcefully, drawing a cry of pain. With a sneer, Brook said, “Jayden, it must suck that your ex-girlfriend treats you like dirt. But now you’re crippled, and everything you had is mine.”


    Debora shook her head at Brook, seeing how his self-esteem thrived on bullying Jayden. In her eyes, Brook was no match for her inpetitions.


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