Chapter 174 The Confrontation

Randall stood rigid, his voice dripping with accusation. "She's defending you, so I'll humor the idea that you're just her boss. Maybe she's trying to curry favor or working late because of you. But Zia has never gone out drinking with another man before. You're married—why are you cheating?" Nancy furrowed her brows, her expression incredulous. "Wait. You're Zia's actual boyfriend? That's ridiculous! Owen would never do something like that." I wiped the water off my face and locked eyes with Randall, his bloodshot gaze radiating nothing but misplaced fury and arrogance. Whatever decency or kindness he once had seemed to have evaporated, leaving only his self-righteous paranoia. "Did you see me trying to seduce her? Did you see me forcing her to drink? Show me the evidence, Randall! Let's see it!" My voice was firm, daring him to back up his claims. Randall clenched his jaw, his fists trembling as his glare intensified. "When I went abroad, she didn't even see me off, claiming she had to work late, but she was with you! And then you had someone send me off in her place like you were claiming ownership. "While I was overseas, when things went south, you knew what happened, and she knew too. But she didn't come to me. She just said she was busy." His tone turned sour. "My friends saw her laughing and chatting with you. She didn't even pick me up when I got back. And on a Saturday, when there's no need to work overtime, she didn't answer my calls. "Her friends told me she went out drinking to celebrate her boss winning the rendering competition—the same boss who just happens to be you! I might not have solid proof of anything, but all these signs? Don't tell me I'm making this up!" Nancy rolled her eyes, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "If your girlfriend can't make you feel secure, that's her issue. What does it have to do with Owen? They're coworkers. How are they supposed to get anything done without communicating? You're not a child anymore, Randall. Grow up. If you've got a problem, take it up with your girlfriend, not Owen!" I let out a cold laugh, pushing Nancy gently aside. "Save it, Nancy. He's Randall, Yvette's golden boy. If you upset him, Yvette won't let it slide." Nancy's jaw dropped. "Wait… this is the Randall you've been talking about? Zia's boyfriend?" I didn't answer her, keeping my gaze fixed on Randall's fuming expression. "Don't just run your mouth, Randall. If you've got no proof, then you've got no case. Show me actual evidence that I've been seducing your girlfriend or hurting her. Got any?" Randall's whole body trembled with rage. "I already told you—I don't have hard evidence. But something's clearly going on between you two!" The irony of his outrage didn't escape me. Just a few days ago, I'd seen him cozying up in Yvette's villa, living comfortably under her protection. I hadn't said a word about that, yet here he was, losing his mind over nothing. I smiled coldly as Nancy moved to step in again, but I gently stopped her, holding her arm back. Then I grabbed Randall by his collar and dragged him over to the nearby fish tank. His eyes widened in alarm, but before he could react, I shoved his head into the water. The goldfish scattered in panic, bubbles rising as the water sloshed around. I kept my grip firm as his muffled shouts echoed in the tank. "You've got a lot of nerve, Randall," I said, my voice icy. "I told you back when you were abroad, don't push me. I've got a bad temper. If you accuse me without proof and act like a jackass, you'll pay the price." Nancy gasped audibly, clearly caught off guard by my bold move. She didn't say a word, just stood there frozen, her wide eyes darting between me and the stunned bystanders in the restaurant. The staff, pale with shock, rushed over, stammering as they tried to de-escalate the situation. I finally let go of Randall. He staggered back, coughing and sputtering, his hair soaked, water dripping onto the floor. His eyes were bloodshot, his breath ragged, and he glared at me with a mix of humiliation and fury. "You think Yvette's protection makes you untouchable?" I said, my tone unwavering. "I can deal with whatever she throws at me. But you listen to me, Randall. I don't tolerate baseless slander. Unless she's willing to take me down for you, don't think you'll get a second chance to pull this crap." Randall struggled to catch his breath, his wet hair clinging to his face. Before he could reply, a familiar voice, slurred and unsteady, cut through the tension. "Randall? Randall, you… you came for me?" Zia had wobbled to her feet, her movements unsteady as she stumbled toward him. Despite her drunken state, her face lit up with joy, her voice filled with disbelief and hope. "You couldn't bear to stay away, could you? I knew it. I know you still care…" Randall's expression hardened as he looked at her, his wet clothes clinging awkwardly to his frame. His voice dripped with sarcasm. "Care? You still have the nerve to talk about caring, when you're here drinking with your boss? Fine. If you really want to win me back, then do something for me. Teach your 'boss' a lesson. He just shoved my head into a fish tank. Stand up for me, and I'll think about giving you another chance." Zia's eyes darted to me, confusion and disbelief etched on her face. Nancy immediately stepped forward, her usual playfulness replaced with a steely resolve. "Randall accused you of having an affair with Owen and threw water in his face. Owen defended himself—that's all. If anyone's out of line here, it's him."