Chapter 6

Donovan marched up to Giselle, his voice sharp with accusation. “Giselle, didn’t I warn you to stay out of my life? Why were you making a scene at the Holt residence?”

Giselle hesitated briefly before letting out a derisive snort. “Funny you should say that, Mr. Kane. The Holt residence belongs to my so-called father.”

“And this? This is also my turf. If anything, you’re the one invading my world. I could call the cops right now and have you arrested for trespassing!”

Donovan’s expression darkened. He closed the distance between them instantly, towering over her as his hand clamped around her chin.

“Now that you know I’m connected to the Holts, you should keep your mouth shut,” he warned, his gaze cold. “Especially around Anne. Don’t you dare breathe a word to her.”

She let him grip her chin, staring directly into his eyes without flinching.

“Oh?” Unfazed, she gave him a teasing look. “What exactly about us is so unmentionable? You don’t want me to tell her we slept together? Or that we…”

Donovan’s grip tightened, his fury boiling over. He wanted to crush her, but ultimately released her with a look of disgust.

Without another word, he stalked to the balcony, lit a cigarette, and took a drag, the smoke curling around him as if to stifle the inner turmoil.

Giselle lounged lazily on the couch, unable to hide a sneer as she recalled his outburst. Clearly, Anne meant a great deal to Donovan. Otherwise, a man like him, always buried in work, wouldn’t have dropped everything to threaten Giselle in her own home.

Giselle suppressed a scoff. Her gaze drifted to his silhouette on the balcony. He stood there, quietly smoking.

What the fuck else could he possibly want?

Just then, she received a WhatsApp notification. She checked the message; it was from one of her backups—someone named “Zach”—asking if she was free for a late-night snack.

She didn’t hesitate to say yes, instantly dismissing the lingering emotions.

Giselle walked over to Donovan and dismissed him. “Alright, Mr. Kane. I have plans tonight, so I don’t have time for your games.”

Leaning against the glass door with a smirk, she added, “We settled our accounts long ago, so don’t worry. I know exactly what to do. You mean nothing to me. And as for me? I’ve got a date waiting. So, get out.”

She’d said much, but Donovan only registered two words—a date.

His glare burned into her, sharp with anger and disdain. “You’ve found someone new already?”

“Yep,” Giselle replied breezily. “A younger guy. He’s another rich heir. He’s tall, ripped, and at least ten years younger than you, with way more energy.”

Donovan took several hard drags from his cigarette, then crushed it in the ashtray. His mood darkened. He wasn’t even sure why he’d come; all he knew was that Giselle’s words enraged him.

A hot, inexplicable rage flared in his chest, searing down into his gut.

Just then, Giselle received another WhatsApp message from Zach, asking where they should meet.

Still holding her phone, she tapped the voice message button and began, “Anywhere’s fine. You pick. That music bar we went to last time was nice. When you–” Before she could finish, Donovan snatched the phone and flung it into a nearby trash can, the impact echoing heavily.

Giselle was stunned, then snapped, “What the hell is wrong with you?”

She’d barely moved before Donovan caught her arm and shoved her back onto the couch without a word.