Chapter 469

Julian Blackwood lifted his polished leather shoe and turned his body sideways to face Vivian Lockhart. A cruel smirk twisted his lips. "Gentleman? That was never part of my vocabulary, darling."

He took a deliberate step forward, crushing fallen leaves beneath his heel. "I've always been the family disgrace. Surely you've heard the stories." His voice dropped to a venomous whisper. "Couldn't touch Ethan when he was breathing, but now? Now I can trample his memory into the dirt."

Vivian's emerald eyes shimmered with unshed tears. "You're insane. Even in death, Ethan was ten times the man you'll ever be!"

Something dangerous flickered in Julian's gaze. He closed the distance between them with predatory grace. "Really? Where is your mighty husband now?" He gestured mockingly at the marble tombstone. "My footprints stain his grave while I take what was his. He watches helplessly - is that your definition of strength?"

The slap echoed through the cemetery. Vivian's palm connected with Julian's cheek with enough force to snap his head sideways. "You disgusting pig! Never in your pathetic life will you lay a finger on me!"

Rage burned through her veins. Before Julian could react, her knee drove into his abdomen with brutal precision.

Julian crumpled to his knees before Ethan's grave, gasping for air. Vivian didn't hesitate - her designer boot pressed between his shoulder blades, forcing his forehead against the cold stone.

"This," she hissed, applying pressure, "is where you belong. At your betters' feet. Need another lesson in humility?"

A choked laugh escaped Julian. "Harder," he rasped, voice thick with perverse delight. "God, I love when you fight back."

Even through the pain, his eyes shone with manic intensity. "You want to know why I worshipped you then tore you down?" He licked blood from his split lip. "Because you betrayed yourself."

Vivian's grip faltered.

"You were lightning in human form," Julian continued, words dripping with venomous admiration. "A goddess walking among mortals. Then you shackled yourself to that emotionless machine." His sneer turned vicious. "Dismantled Azure Tide. Played the perfect little society wife for a man who couldn't love you. Watching you degrade yourself was worse than any insult I could invent."

Vivian recoiled as if struck. "You're sick."

"Am I?" Julian's laughter held no warmth. "Ethan's gone, Vivian. The Blackwood Empire will be mine soon. Why cling to ghosts when I can give you everything?"

She increased the pressure on his spine. "I don't need handouts. And Ethan isn't dead - that's your twisted fantasy!"

"Ask Dominic Harrington then." Julian's grin turned feral despite his position. "If he'll still speak to you, that is."

Two birds with one stone - his two greatest rivals eliminated in a single night. The thought sent electric pleasure coursing through his veins. This victory tasted sweeter than any boardroom conquest.