The Billionaire And His Son Want Me Back (Paisley)

Chapter 7

The slap reverberated sharply, cutting through the ambient hum of the corridor and drawing the attention of several passersby. Heads turned as people paused mid- stride, curiosity flickering in their expressions.

Dominick's head snapped to the side from the force of Paisley's strike, and a vivid, angry imprint of her fingers bloomed across his cheek.

For a moment, he froze, as if stunned that she'd dared to hit him. Slowly, he turned back to her, his gloomy eyes narrowing with disbelief and something more dangerous simmering beneath the surface. From the far end of the hallway, the click of high heels against the polished floor announced Marissa's arrival. She stepped out of the private room her gaze immediately landing on the scene in front of her. Her eyes widened, and a sharp gasp escaped her lips. "Oh my goodness she cried, rushing toward Dominick, the rapid staccato of her heels echoing her urgency. "Ms. Sutton, why would you hit him?" Marissa's voice pitched higher, laced

with outrage as her wide eyes darted to Dominick's reddened check. Dom. are you okay? Does it hurt? Her hand fluttered nervously near his face as though she wanted to comfort him but didn't dare touch him..

Paisley couldn't bring herself to entertain this melodrama. She didn't bother looking at Dominick, she didn't need to. His palpable anger radiated from him like heat from a fumace, making the air around them thick and oppressive. Before anyone else could speak, a voice broke the weirdly heavy tension with almost comical abruptness. "What's going

on here! Lucy's familiar tone rang out as she walked toward them, her curious eyes darting between the trio.

Relieved to see her here. Paisley exhaled softly and seized the moment to redirect her focus. "Where have you been? You've been in the Ladies' room forever," she asked, her tone tinged with mild annoyance. "Oh, I got caught

up scrolling on my phone in the restroom Lucy said nonchalantly, waving her phone for emphasis. I stumbled

on this crime che video-something about dismemberment-

and 1 got hooked... Her voice trailed off as her gaze lingered on Dominick and Marissa, her brow furrowing slightly.

Marissa's expression stiffened noticeably, her discomfort plain to see. "Ms. Sutton, I didn't realize you weren't dining alone with that guy" she said. her tone carefully neutral but her words laced with subtle implications. Pandey refused to dignify Marissa's comment with a reaction. She merely nodded briskly and said, "Work dinner"

Out of the corner of her eyes, she caught Dominick's expression shifting, his jaw tightening as though he had something to say. But she didn't give him the satisfaction of her attention.

Lucy sidled closer, tugging lightly at Paisley's sleeve. "Who are these people?" she whispered, her curiosity unabated, her brows knitting in confusion. Gary had explicitly told Lory that only the and Paisley were invited to today's dinner. "You don't need to worry about them. Paisley replied curtly, shaking her head.

If time

"Oh, okay." Lucy, ever obedient, nodded and turned to head back toward their private room. "Guess I'll leave you to it, then. Take your "There's nothing to discuss. I'm coming with you, Paisley said coldly, cutting a pointed glare toward Dominick. "Mind your own business, D you Outside the restaurant, Dominick

and Marissa stood in silence, the atmosphere between them as heavy as the humid night air.

was unreadable, his features

Marissa

shifted uneasily, watching his face for any sign of what he might be thinking. But Dominick's expression w carved into an ampassive mask.

"Dom, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to jump to conclusions about Ms. Sutton. If my words caused any

Finally, she broke the quiet, her voice hesitant. "De misunderstanding between you two-"

"There's no need to apologize, Dominick interrupted, his tone distant, almost bored. His large hand rose to his collar, deftly undoing two buttons on his shim as though the very air around him was stifling. "She and I have nothing to do with each other." Tut ther small act-loosering his shin-betrayed

him. Even as he tried to mask in an unshakable restlessness lingered

with him. Something about Paisley's defunte, her words, and her slap had unsettled him in a way he couldn't quite tune.

myy I remember

Marinas delicate

features

softened momentarily as she tumed the neatly packed dessert box to Dominick. "I packed this for Sonny he has a sweet tooth, she said with a gentle smile that didn't quite reach her eyes

A sleek car pulled up, coming to a smooth stop in front of Dominick

Dominick accepted the box with a brief nod, his tone polite but distant. Thank you on his behalf. Bye, Marissa. Without waiting for a reply, he turned and stepped into the

car

Marissa stood rooted to the spot, watching the car disappear down the street until it was a speck in the distance. Slowly, the warmth in her expression faded, replaced by a cold calculating gleam in her eyes,

Her gaze flickered back toward the restaurant, narrowing as it landed on Paisley's private room. A faint, almost imperceptible smirk tugged at the corner of her lips as she pulled out her phone and dialed a familiar number.

The call barely rang twice before Kayla, Dominick's younger sister, picked up. Kayla's teasing voice came through, light and playful. "Marissa, so, how did your little date with my brother go without me around to third- wheel?" "Kayla Marissa's voice dropped, laced with a feigned sadness that she wielded with precision

Immediately. Kayla's tone shifted, concern creeping in "Marissa? What's wrong? Did Dominick do something to you? That doesn't sound like him. He's always so good to you, isn't he?"

"No, it's not Dom. It's "Marissa hesitated for dramatic effect, letting the tension build. Then she continued, her words measured and deliberate. "It's Paisley. She's back. We ran into her at the restaurant tonight, and she and Dom.... "What? That scheming little bitch is back! Trying to seduce Dominick again" Kayla's voice rose, bristling with anger. "Marissa, hold on. I'm calling Dominick right now. She's not going to get away with this:"