Chapter 4 - The Brother’s Venom"Is this how you greet your own flesh and blood after two years abroad?" Marcus chuckled, sauntering further into the studio. He tossed his car keys onto Lena’s pristine drafting table, right on top of her sketches.
Julian stepped between Marcus and Lena, his voice dropping to a low, lethal growl. "Get your hands off her desk, and get out of my building, Marcus."
Marcus raised his hands in mock surrender, his dark eyes glinting with amusement. "Relax, Julian. I just heard rumors that my dear little brother had practically adopted a starving street designer and set her up in a multi-million-dollar studio. I wanted to see if the rumors were true. And honestly?" He turned his gaze toward Lena, letting his eyes sweep over her with slow, insolent appraisal. "Grandmother has impeccable taste. You’re stunning, Miss Brooks."
Lena stood up, crossing her arms defensively. "I have work to do, Mr. Hale. If you'll excuse us."
"Oh, don't mind me," Marcus laughed, stepping closer to her work table. He picked up one of her fabric swatches, rubbing the silk between his thumb and forefinger. "Though I have to wonder, Miss Brooks... does my brother fund all his favorite designers so lavishly, or are you getting special treatment?"
Julian’s fist clenched so hard his knuckles turned white. In one fluid motion, he grabbed Marcus by the lapel of his designer suit and shoved him hard against the glass wall.
"Say one more word, Marcus, and I will throw you out of this window myself," Julian hissed, his face inches from his brother's.
Marcus didn't look scared; instead, he laughed—a sharp, grating sound. "Go ahead, Julian! Show your little girlfriend your true colors. Tell her how you really operate. Tell her about the little secrets you keep locked away in the family trust!"
"Enough!" Julian roared, releasing him with a violent shove. "Security!"
Two burly security guards in dark suits appeared instantly at the doors.
"Escort Mr. Hale out of the building. Permanently. If he ever sets foot in this tower again, throw him in a holding cell," Julian ordered, his breathing heavy.
Marcus brushed off his suit jacket, adjusting his collar with absolute calm. He cast one final, lingering smirk at Lena. "Be careful what you sign, Lena. My brother is very good at hiding what's really in the fine print. He lies about everything that matters."
As Marcus was led away, the heavy silence in the studio felt suffocating. Lena turned to Julian, her heart racing.
"Julian... what was that about? What did he mean?"
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Julian turned away, running a hand through his dark hair, his jaw clenched tight. "It means nothing, Lena. Marcus is a liar, a gambler, and an opportunist. Don't listen to a single word he says."
But as Lena looked at Julian’s strained expression, a cold seed of doubt planted itself in her chest. What was Julian hiding?
