Ryder.

Malik began, his voice low and shaky.

“I waited for her as usual, downstairs in the company building, waiting for her to come outside. When I saw she wasn’t coming, I went inside to check on her. That’s when I saw Lila causing a commotion because Miss Freya was wearing your shirt. She made Miss Freya kneel before her and slapped her. I couldn’t step in, sir. I didn’t want them to get suspicious.”

The moment the words left his mouth, my blood boiled.

A hot, violent rage surged through my veins, making my chest heave with each breath. The glass of whiskey in my hand shattered under the...