CHAPTER 270: ARGUMENT BETWEEN NATHANIEL AND LIAM

Zara shifted uncomfortably, afraid Riya would get the wrong idea and lash out at Liam later. "Riya, listen... it’s not what you are thinking."

"There is no need for you to explain anything," Liam interjected sharply. He rose to his feet, facing Riya head-on. "Who I choose to help is my decision. You don’t get to control that."

"I’m your fiancée," Riya shot back. "I’m supposed to be your priority. But you are helping her, giving her attention, and even bringing her out to dinner. Why? Why does she matter so much to you? What exactly is your relationship with her?"

Feeling the tension spike, Zara grew anxious. The last thing she wanted was for Liam to jeopardize his ties with the Grants because of her. "You are overthinking," she tried to say gently.

But Liam didn’t let her continue. "You want to know what our relationship is?" he said, reaching out to take Zara’s hand and motioning her closer.

Zara walked forward in a haze of confusion, unsure of what he intended to do.

"She is my business partner," Liam declared firmly. "A friend. We are just having dinner to celebrate our successful collaboration. I had no idea you’d be here as well. If I knew, I would’ve invited you to join us."

Riya opened and closed her mouth, caught off guard. This was not the reaction she had anticipated. She had expected Liam to snap back, to defend Zara fiercely, to spark the scene she wanted, but instead, he stayed maddeningly composed.

The drama she aimed to stir wasn’t taking shape. She planned to expose Zara as unfaithful in Nathaniel’s eyes and show some questionable connection between her and Liam. But with Liam’s calm, almost indifferent demeanor, her plan was collapsing.

’No.’ She refused to let it end like this. She needed to provoke him, make him lose control, and create a scene before Nathaniel arrived. She had to act quickly.

"Business partner?" Riya repeated with a mocking twist to her tone. "What business could you possibly run with a failed designer? If you are planning a women’s clothing line, partner with someone who actually matters. Shay Walsh is in town. You should approach him. He’d be a far better choice. Why waste your time on her? She is only going to ruin your investment."

Zara felt her anger spike. "You," she began sharply, but Liam tightened his grip on her hand, stopping her.

"It’s my decision," he cut in firmly. "I know Zara’s capabilities. And I’m confident our collaboration will be successful."

Zara blinked, stunned that he hadn’t revealed he was Shay Walsh himself.

Riya, however, wasn’t finished. She raised her voice deliberately to draw attention from the people around. "But look at how she is dressed. Isn’t it a bit too much for a business dinner? It looks like she is on a date."

She folded her arms and looked at Zara up and down with contempt. "You haven’t even finalized your divorce with Nathaniel, yet you are already chasing another man. If you are that desperate for attention, find someone else. Why cling to my fiancé?"

Sensing the judgmental stares from around the restaurant, Zara’s discomfort deepened. She wanted nothing more than to vanish.

"I’m done. I’m leaving." Grabbing her bag, she turned to leave.

"No, you are not going anywhere." Liam caught her hand before she could go. "We didn’t do anything wrong. We were here to discuss business and have a peaceful meal. She barged in and created a scene. She should apologize."

Riya’s fury shot up instantly. "You want me to apologize to her?" she shouted in disbelief. "Are you out of your mind? I’m your fiancée, and you expect me to say sorry to your mistress?"

"She is not my mistress," Liam snapped, his patience finally breaking. "Watch your mouth, or you’ll regret it."

Zara lifted both hands in surrender. "Enough. I’m not staying here another second to listen to this. Sorry, Liam — I’m leaving."

But Liam wouldn’t stand by and let Zara be insulted. "If you walk out now, people will believe her ridiculous accusations." He then turned a cold, cutting glare at Riya. "She is the one who caused trouble. She has to apologize."

"Never," Riya shouted. "I caught you cheating on me. Why would I apologize to a shameless woman like her? She just divorced her husband and then threw herself at you. I won’t forgive her."

Fueled by rage, she lunged at Zara, ready to strike.

Liam reacted instantly. He grabbed Riya’s wrist mid-air and pushed her away.

"Ah..." Riya stumbled and fell, drawing shocked gasps from the onlookers.

Her face drained of color, burning with humiliation and rage. "Liam, how dare you?"

"Stop creating a scene," Liam cut her off. "Leave."

"What is happening here?" Nathaniel’s voice thundered as he approached, his presence commanding attention.

Zara’s breath hitched the moment she saw him. For a split second, she forgot their fight from earlier and felt the urge to run to him. But she froze when she noticed him helping Riya to her feet.

In an instant, their argument from that morning flashed through her mind. His cutting words, the way he had brushed off her feelings, and how easily he had played with her emotions – the memory seared her heart. He had never truly cared for her.

The sting of betrayal stabbed in her chest. Watching him worry over Riya, the very woman plotting to destroy his family, made her heart burn with anger. He believed Riya’s lies again, just like always. Once more, Zara’s truth meant nothing compared to Riya’s pretence.

"Nathaniel," Riya whimpered, putting on her innocent act. "They bullied me. Liam even pushed me." She lifted her scratched palm and showed it to him.

Nathaniel didn’t spare it a glance. His eyes were fixed entirely on Zara. She looked radiant in the white gown, and the sight stirred something deep inside him.

He suddenly recalled that they had never had a proper wedding. They had the marriage certificate but never held a wedding ceremony. Seeing her dressed like this, regret hit him hard. He silently vowed that once everything settled, he would give her the grand wedding she deserved.

"Nathaniel," Riya whined again, tugging on his arm and snapping him back to reality. "Aren’t you going to say anything? Liam is my fiancé, but he has brought Zara along to dinner. He humiliated me in front of everyone."

Nathaniel brushed Riya’s hands away and strode straight toward Zara. "Can’t wait to chase another man, can you?" he sneered. "But Liam is out of your reach. Don’t get involved with him."

Zara’s fists clenched, fury and hurt blazing in her eyes. "You—"

But Liam stepped in before she could continue. "She is only my business partner. Nothing more."

"Nonsense," Nathaniel said icily. "You should be with Riya. You are the one who made her suspicious. Tell Zara to leave."

Liam didn’t budge. His expression was stone-cold as he slipped an arm around Zara’s waist. "I’d like to see who dares make her leave."

Zara stiffened at his touch, her head whipping toward him.

Nathaniel’s eyes darkened the moment he saw Liam’s hand on her waist. Without warning, he swung and punched Liam square in the jaw.

Liam stumbled back from the force, pain exploding along his jawline. Shock washed over him. The sting in the corner of his mouth and the burning ache in his jaw told him exactly what had happened.

Nathaniel had actually struck him.

Liam looked up, disbelief blazing in his eyes. ’You bastard,’ he cursed inwardly, clutching his jaw. ’You dared to hit me. You’ll regret this.’

"Are you out of your mind?" Zara yelled, shoving Nathaniel away. "Why would you hit him?"

Her reaction stunned him.

"You pushed me... because of him?" Nathaniel felt a twist in his chest.

"Yes," Zara fired back, standing tall and meeting his gaze head-on. "You are too blind to see reality. You only trust whatever Riya tells you. She is always innocent in your eyes. Because of her, you doubted me and Liam. You didn’t think twice before attacking your friend. What’s wrong with you?"

She shoved him again, harder this time.

Nathaniel’s heart lurched as he took in her rage. Everything was slipping through his fingers, and he could feel it. She was drifting away from him, and he feared that the things between them would be ruined beyond repair.

A desperate urge rose inside him. He wanted to explain everything, to tell her the truth that all of this was an act designed to expose Riya and Zachary, that he had never doubted her.

But he held himself back. He had to stay composed. He couldn’t risk raising suspicion in Riya right now.

Liam, meanwhile, felt a flicker of satisfaction watching Zara defend him. He wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and stepped closer to her.

"Don’t bother with them, Zara," he said. "Let’s not ruin our evening. This place is suffocating. Let’s go."

He took her hand and started to lead her away.

"If you walk out now, the Grants will cut all business ties with the Lawsons," Nathaniel warned icily. "Think carefully before you decide."

Liam halted, tension rippling through him.

"Liam," Zara said gently, "please don’t do anything reckless. You can’t break off your partnership with the Grants because of me. Stay. I’ll leave."

But Liam only tightened his grip on her hand, stopping her. Zara looked at him, startled.

Liam turned back to Nathaniel, meeting his gaze without flinching. "If that’s how it is, then I don’t want this partnership anymore," he declared. "I’m ending things with Riya."

He pulled off his engagement ring, held it up, and said, "Our engagement is annulled."

He tossed the ring aside.