Chapter 493

"Tomorrow night, there's a dinner party. You're coming with me," Finley announced, his tone surprisingly inclusive.

Shanna's eyes widened in shock as she looked at the man beside her. "Me? You want me to go out with you and your friends?" she asked, barely able to believe it.

Finley had always been overprotective, fearing she might run into enemies. The idea of her stepping out now seemed almost unfathomable.

After finishing his glass of water, Finley felt a bit more at ease. "Come with me tomorrow. If you don't want to, just forget I mentioned it," he said, his voice neutral.

"I'll go. I want to go. If you're asking, I'm there," Shanna replied eagerly, a hint of excitement in her voice.

Could it be that Finley was letting her be seen with him in public because he had some feelings for her? She didn't dare ask, but the warmth in her eyes made Finley's heart skip a beat.

"Don't try to seduce me," he said sharply.

Shanna shrank back, her voice timid. "I'm not."

"Don't look at me like that. And don't look at anyone else that way either."

With that, Finley got up and headed upstairs.

Shanna watched him go, touching her face in confusion. She hadn't even smiled. How had she been seductive?

Billy stumbled home, completely plastered, clutching a paper bag like it was precious cargo.

Lauren and Ruby were in the middle of dinner when the smell of alcohol hit them. Seeing Billy, Lauren put down her fork in disgust. "Billy, what's gotten into you?" she asked, irritation clear in her voice.

Ruby, reminded of her own complex background, stood up awkwardly and approached Billy. "Dad, were you out discussing another deal? Don't worry about the business; I'll get Xavier to help. I promise, the company won't fall apart on my watch."

Before Ruby could react, Billy pulled a gleaming knife from the bag. Her heart skipped a beat, and she stumbled backward, tripping over her own feet and falling. Lauren quickly helped Ruby up, eyes wide with terror that Billy might turn the knife on her. "Billy, have you lost your mind? No one outside knows Ruby isn't your biological daughter. What's the rush?" Lauren shouted, her anger palpable.

Billy's bloodshot eyes gleamed with menace as he glared at Ruby and Lauren. "How do you know they don't know? Ruby, you said the company wouldn't fail. If you hadn't come back, it wouldn't have! With Josefina's help, my business was thriving. It would never have crumbled!"

"You don't have the skills, and you dare blame others?" Lauren retorted scornfully.

"I'm the one without skills? Who do you think pays for our lifestyle? Without Josefina, would you have it this good? It's all Ruby's fault. If she hadn't come back, things would be so much better!"

Ruby clenched her fists, hating the constant comparisons to Josefina. "Why must I always be compared to Josefina? I am me, Josefina is Josefina. If you liked her so much, why didn't you stop her from leaving? Why did you let her go? In the end, it's your own incompetence!" Ruby shouted, her anger boiling over.

Lauren sneered at Billy. "You're blaming us for your shortcomings. If you're so capable, lift the company up with your own skills, not by leaning on a woman!"

Stung by their words, Billy's rage exploded, and he swung the knife wildly.

Lauren and Ruby were terrified, ducking and dodging for cover. The living room was left in shambles; the sofa slashed open, the table and its contents destroyed without mercy.

Lauren grabbed Ruby, and they bolted for the door. If they stayed any longer, Billy's blade would surely be the end of them.