Chapter 421: Connor Lost Control

Grant Holloway had never imagined that Connor Hayes, the man who always had everything under control, could lose his composure like this.

"You'd go this far for Clara Whitmore?"

He stared at the usually collected man, seeing madness in his eyes for the first time.

Connor adjusted his cuffs with deliberate calm. "Just a small favor."

"A small favor?" Grant scoffed. "You knew exactly what kind of people Donna Russo and her son are, yet you handed them a weapon."

"The weapon is in your hands," Connor met his gaze. "Whether to use it, and how—that's your choice."

Grant clenched his fists. "You fucking planned this!"

"And if I did?" Connor smirked. "Haven’t you always wanted to prove you’re better than me? Here’s your chance."

The air turned frigid.

"For a woman, you’d throw away your principles?" Grant spat through gritted teeth.

Connor’s gaze sharpened instantly. "She’s not just 'a woman.'"

She was Clara Whitmore.

The one who made him sobering soup in the dead of night.

The one who feared the dark but still walked home alone.

Grant burst into laughter. "Spare me the act. Where were you when she was suffering by my side?"

Connor’s fingers twitched.

"You could’ve stopped it, but you chose to watch." Grant stepped closer. "Because you knew—only when she gave up on me completely would you have a chance."

"Shut up."

"Hit a nerve?" Grant’s smile turned mocking. "What’s the difference between you and me? We both used her feelings."

Connor snapped his head up. "You don’t deserve to even speak her name!"

"Getting defensive?" Grant raised a brow. "What if she finds out about your schemes—"

"She won’t."

"Of course I won’t tell." Grant leaned in. "I’ll watch her fall for you, and then—"

Connor grabbed him by the collar.

Their eyes locked, tension crackling between them.

"You think this is how you win?" Grant sneered. "Connor, you’re naive."

He pried Connor’s fingers off one by one. "The game has only just begun."

As he turned away, a cruel smile curled Grant’s lips.

If this was madness, they’d drown in it together.