Chapter 246

"Since my job here is finished, I'm out!" Lucien gave Vanessa's shoulder a light pat before strolling casually toward the exit, completely unfazed by the furious man blocking his path.

"Hold it right there!" Dominic's fingers clamped around Lucien's forearm, his jaw clenched so tight his teeth ached. "You really think you can just walk away?"

"And why not?" Lucien's lips curled into a mocking smirk.

Dominic had been restraining himself, painfully aware of Lucien's influence—one wrong move could cost him everything. But that taunting grin shattered his self-control. His fist flew before he could think, connecting hard with Lucien's jaw. "You bastard!"

The impact sent Lucien stumbling back, but he barely flinched. Wiping the blood from his split lip, he chuckled darkly. "I'll let that slide for Ms. Sinclair's sake. Try it again, and I won't be so forgiving."

"Like hell I care!" Lucien's arrogance was gasoline on Dominic's fury. Having already crossed the line, he lunged again, swinging wildly.

True to his word, Lucien stopped holding back. The two men crashed into each other, fists flying, furniture toppling in their wake.

Vanessa had been bent over the sink, fighting nausea, but the sound of shattering glass snapped her attention back to the chaos.

She took a deep breath, steadying herself before rushing forward. "Stop it! Both of you!"

Her pleas fell on deaf ears. The fight spilled into the hallway, leaving destruction in its wake—overturned chairs, splintered wood, glass shards glinting like fallen stars. The noise was deafening, and Vanessa's stomach twisted at the thought of security storming in.

"Dominic!" she finally screamed, desperation sharpening her voice. "Do you want the whole building to hear about this?"

Her words struck like a whip. Dominic froze—just long enough for Lucien's fist to slam into his jaw. A grunt of pain escaped him, his vision swimming. Thankfully, Lucien stepped back, panting, his knuckles bruised.

"Dom—" Vanessa rushed to Dominic's side, ignoring Lucien entirely. She knew reasoning with him was pointless, but Dominic still cared about appearances.

Dominic swayed as he stood, his head pounding. When his vision cleared enough to see Vanessa's worried face, rage surged anew. He shoved her away with a snarl. "Get the hell away from me!"

She stumbled backward, saved only by Lucien's quick reflexes. His grip on her arm only fueled Dominic's fury further.