Chapter 166

‘You stay away from Ari, you two-bit social climber!’ Vanessa hissed, her voice laced with venom. ‘He’s mine. Do you hear me? Mine!’ Elodie shot Vanessa a withering glare that could curdle milk as she slowly wiped off the blood on her hand. She didn’t bother with words. Vanessa wasn’t expecting the lightning-fast movement that followed — a perfectly executed roundhouse kick that sent a wave of dizziness crashing over her. ‘Touch me again,’ Elodie snarled, her voice low and dangerous, ‘and I’ll show you just how much of a “nobody” I am.’ Vanessa stumbled back, clutching her throbbing stomach. The audacity! The sheer nerve of this woman! Rage boiled over once more, replacing the searing pain. She screamed and lunged forward, nails outstretched, aiming for Elodie’s face. But the air whooshed past Vanessa’s cheek as Elodie ducked with the grace of a seasoned martial artist. A gasp escaped Vanessa’s lips as she felt a hard slap across her face. Her fingers flew to her stinging cheek, tracin