Chapter 696

Liam Sullivan's pupils contracted sharply.

He stared at Vivian Bennett, as if trying to find even a trace of pretense on her face.

"What did you say?"

His voice was dangerously low, each word seeming to be forced through gritted teeth.

Vivian instinctively took half a step back.

Allen immediately moved to shield her, his arm forming a barrier between them.

"Mr. Sullivan, Vivian has made herself perfectly clear." Allen's voice was deeper now, carrying an unyielding firmness. "She doesn't know you. Please leave, or I'll have to call hotel security."

Vivian's fingers tightened imperceptibly on her skirt.

Her palms were slick with cold sweat.

She forced herself to lift her head and meet Liam's bottomless dark eyes.

Don't hide.

Don't panic.

She repeated the mantra silently in her mind.

Liam suddenly smiled.

The smile held no warmth, instead radiating a chilling, almost cruel coldness.

"Doesn't know me?"

He repeated the four words, but his gaze swept over Vivian like a blade, scrutinizing every inch of her.

In the next second, he moved without warning.

His long leg stepped forward, his arm reaching past Allen, directly grabbing for Vivian's wrist.

The motion was too fast to react to.

"Let her go!"

Allen clamped down on Liam's arm, shoving him back forcefully.

The strength of the two men collided in the air.

Liam turned his head, his gaze landing on Allen's face.

He looked at him as if he were an insignificant insect.

"Get lost."

A single word.

But it carried the violent threat of an impending storm.

Allen's face instantly paled.

He took a deep breath, suppressing the fury churning in his chest, and spoke word by word, "I won't let you touch her."

The corner of Liam's mouth lifted in a mocking curve.

"You?"

Before the words fully left his mouth.

His fist had already swung out.

Thud—

A dull impact sound exploded in the hallway.

Allen staggered back several steps, his back slamming heavily against the wall.

A trickle of blood seeped from the corner of his mouth.

He clutched his cheek, his vision swimming.

"Allen!"

Vivian's cry of alarm had just left her lips.

A tremendous force yanked her entire body forward.

The world spun.

By the time she regained her senses, she was already slung over Liam's shoulder.

"Let me go! Help—!"

She struggled desperately, her legs kicking wildly in the air, her fists pounding against Liam's back.

But the man's arm was like an iron vise around her waist.

Unmoving.

"Liam Sullivan! Put Vivian down!"

Allen struggled to rush forward.

But a figure blocked his path.

Ryan Johnson.

He had appeared at some unknown moment, now standing calmly before Allen, his face expressionless.

"Move!" Allen's eyes were red.

Ryan didn't budge.

"Mr. Allen Massot." He spoke evenly, his voice devoid of emotion. "The youngest son of the Massot family, correct?"

Allen froze.

"I suggest you calm down." Ryan continued, his gaze sweeping over Allen's clenched fists. "Before you do anything impulsive, you'd better think about your father's company first."

Allen's face turned deathly pale.

He knew exactly what Ryan meant.

The Massot family had been desperately trying to secure a partnership with the Sullivan Group recently.

If he ruined this deal because of his impulsiveness...

"But..." Allen's voice trembled. "He took Vivian..."

Ryan looked at him.

His eyes held no sympathy, only a cold, businesslike detachment.

"That is Mr. Sullivan's business."

With that, he turned and left.

Only Allen remained in the hallway.

He leaned against the wall, slowly sliding down to sit on the floor.

His fist slammed into the ground.

His knuckles split instantly, blood oozing out.

But he felt no pain.

His mind held only the image of Vivian's terrified eyes as Liam carried her away.

Outside the hotel.

A black Rolls-Royce had been waiting.

Liam pulled open the car door and threw Vivian into the back seat.

The action was rough, devoid of any gentleness.

"Drive."

He ordered coldly.

The car immediately pulled away from the hotel, merging into the night.

Vivian huddled in the corner, her entire body trembling.

She looked at the man beside her.

Liam leaned back against the seat, his eyes closed.

The lines of his profile appeared especially harsh in the dim light.

"Where are you taking me..." Her voice was so soft it was almost inaudible.

Liam opened his eyes.

He turned to look at her.

Those dark eyes churned with emotions she couldn't decipher.

"Home."

He uttered two words.

Vivian's heart clenched violently.

"I'm not going... I want to get out..."

She reached for the car door.

It was locked.

"Liam Sullivan! Let me out!"

She finally broke down, tears streaming uncontrollably down her face.

Liam watched her cry.

He watched for a long time.

Then, he reached out, using his thumb to wipe the tears from her cheek.

The gesture was impossibly gentle.

But his voice was as cold as ice.

"Vivian Bennett."

He said.

"Do you think pretending to have amnesia will let you escape?"