Chapter 198

In a private room at the bar, John and his crew were knocking back drinks.

Usually, this place was buzzing, but tonight it was dead silent. John was in the corner, downing drink after drink, with empty bottles piling up in front of him.

Everyone else was on edge, watching John. He was the boss here, and nobody wanted to say anything that might set him off.

John's eyes were stormy. He looked up and barked at the group, "What are you all staring at? Drink up!"

The group, startled, erupted into a flurry of loud chatter, forced laughter, dice, and cards - anything to break the tension.

John called the manager over, ordered a pricey bottle, twisted off the cap, and drank straight from it.

The liquor spilled down his mouth, neck, and soaked into his shirt.

John was drowning in sorrow. Mason's announcement to the media had killed any chance of him marrying Bianca.

John had always looked up to Mason, but now there was a growing rift between them.

Frustration gnawed at John, but he had no way to let it out. He'd been trying to reach Bianca for days, but she wouldn't pick up.

Suddenly, the door to the private room swung open, and everyone turned to look. It was like someone hit the mute button; they all stared in shock at the doorway.

John frowned. He needed the noise to drown out his inner chaos. He was about to tell everyone to get loud again, but then he saw who was at the door and froze.

Standing there in a white dress, looking a bit fragile, was Bianca. She seemed nervous.

John locked eyes with Bianca, and she stared right back.

The room was dead quiet, but it felt like it was buzzing with anger. Everyone but John and Bianca was tense, sensing the storm brewing inside John was about to break, and they might get caught in it.

"Everyone, get out," John's low voice cut through the silence.

The others bolted for the door, some even losing a shoe in their rush but not daring to go back for it.

Bianca stepped aside to let them leave, knowing John wasn't talking to her.

John kept his eyes on Bianca but then looked away, focusing on the bottle on the table. He tilted his head back, drained it, and then hurled it at Bianca's feet.

The glass bottle shattered, sending shards everywhere.

John, eyes red with rage, roared like a beast, "Why didn't you answer my calls? And why did you lie to me?"

Bianca bit her lip and walked towards John. Her feet crunched on the shards, some piercing through her shoes and into her feet, staining her shoes with blood.

John glanced at her feet, a flicker of pain crossing his eyes.

"Enough! Don't try to play me with your tricks. Just tell me, why did you lie?" John closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, they were cold as ice.

"What if I told you I was deceived too? Would you believe me?" Bianca's eyes welled up, tears streaming down her face.

John stayed silent, waiting for her to go on.

Bianca stepped closer. "Jasper and Mia came to me, saying they had a way to get Mason to agree to our marriage. All I had to do was go against Isabella and follow their plan. I knew it would hurt Isabella, which I hated, but... I had to choose between her and you, and you won."

John's eyes flickered. He took a deep breath and turned his head away from Bianca's tear-streaked face.

"I just don't get it. Why would Jasper and Mia team up with you against their own daughter?" John asked, his voice deep and rough.

Bianca wiped her tears. "They wanted access to your family's resources. At first, they wanted Isabella to marry you to achieve that, but when she called off the engagement, they turned to me. They knew you liked me and thought I could help the family. They didn't pick me before because I'm not their biological daughter, and they thought Isabella would be easier to control. But their plan backfired."

Suddenly, Bianca started slapping herself. "If you're mad, do whatever you want to me! But please, stop drinking; it's killing you."

Her actions were so sudden that John didn't react in time. By the time he did, she'd already slapped herself several times.

John stood up angrily, pulled Bianca up from the floor, gripped her hand, and shouted, "What are you doing? Do you think this will make me forgive you?"

Bianca's eyes were all red and puffy from crying. She looked at John, quiet and heartbroken. "I don't expect you to forgive me. This is my fate. My uncle is the head of the family, and even though the family has fallen, I still have to dedicate myself to it. I wasn't brave enough to stand up to them like Isabella. I lied to everyone, but please believe me, I love you."

John looked into Bianca's eyes, feeling a pang of pain in his heart.

"I've apologized to you. If you're not going to punish me, then I need to go apologize to Isabella. When Jasper approached me, I was tempted. I thought ruining Isabella's name would make Mason choose me. I was so stupid. I had no idea how important she is to him. I'm leaving now. Goodbye." Bianca wiped her tears and turned to leave.

"Did I say you could go?" John growled angrily, pulling Bianca back and holding her tightly in his arms.