Page 5 of Reckless Billionaire's Ruthless Claim

But then, with a forced smile that looked more like a grimace, Alina adjusted the necklace on her neck. Her lips curled into an arrogant smirk as she turned fully to face Ellie.

“Can you even afford the cab fare to get here on your own?” she taunted. “Just because Olivia left for overseas and isn’t with Sawyer anymore, doesn’t mean you’ll ever be able to really replace her. You’re nothing!"

Ellie rolled her eyes, letting out a bored sigh. “Yeah, yeah. Whatever,” she muttered, her tone dismissive. “Give me the necklace already. I don’t have time for your yapping.”

“You—!” Alina’s eyes blazed with rage, her voice dripping with venom. “You’re just jealous! Olivia is a rich heiress, and you? You’re nothing but a filthy street rat Sawyer picked up out of pity!”

Ellie’s lips curled into a mocking smile. “And you’re jealous because you can’t even manage to be that street rat. Face it, Alina. You’re angry because Sawyer doesn’t even look at you.” Ellie shot back with a smirk, cutting through Alina’s composure like a knife. “Or is it Olivia you’re scared of? Worried she’ll ruin you once she’s back if she finds out that you’re trying to seduce her ex-boyfriend?”

Alina’s lips twisted into a snarl. “Olivia is my best friend. I have no fucking desire to seduce her boyfriend! Olivia is rich and beautiful—everything you’ll never be. Sawyer deserves someone like her to stand next to him, not you! When she returns, you’ll be thrown out like trash. I’ll make sure of it! Then we’ll see if you can still look at me with that smug little face!”

“Oh, shut up!” Ellie snapped, her patience snapping like a brittle thread. She lunged forward and grabbed the necklace around Alina’s neck. “Give me my necklace back! Now!”

The two women got into a scuffle as Ellie yanked at the necklace. With a sharp tug, she ripped it from Alina’s neck, leaving a red mark behind. Holding the necklace tightly in her fist, Ellie stepped back, her victorious smirk daring Alina to make another move.

“Now, go cry to Olivia,” Ellie taunted, her voice dripping with mockery. “You two can fight over him. I have no interest in your ridiculous drama.”

Alina’s face turned green with fury, but then her lips curved into a sly smile as she glanced over Ellie’s shoulder. “Sawyer!” she suddenly yelled, making Ellie freeze in her tracks.

Ellie’s head snapped around, panic flaring in her eyes as she spotted Sawyer walking toward them, sliding his phone into his pant’s pocket.

Ellie’s grip on the necklace tightened as she quickly hid it behind her back. Her mind raced in alarm. ‘Did he hear me? Does he… know?’

As soon as he entered Satire, Alina rushed and latched onto his arm as though staking her claim.

“Sawyer, look at her!” she whined. “She was badmouthing Olivia and me. I just picked this necklace for myself, and she attacked me for it! How can someone like her belong in a place like this?” Alina clung to him tighter, her voice growing louder with every word. “She doesn’t care about you. She even said she doesn’t mind Olivia taking you back as long as she gets paid for it.”

Ellie’s heart pounded in her chest. Her fingers tightened around the necklace as her gaze darted nervously to Sawyer. His eyes, cold and calculating, met hers for a moment, making her stomach churn with unease.

Alina, emboldened by Sawyer’s silence, leaned closer to him, her voice dripping with fake sweetness. “Olivia is smarter, prettier, and better in every way. You should get rid of this... this thing before Olivia gets upset. You wouldn’t want to lose Olivia over her, would you?”

Finally, Sawyer shifted his gaze to Alina. He looked down at her clinging to his arm as though noticing her for the first time. With a sharp movement, he shrugged her off as if she were nothing more than an annoying fly.

“When did I ever give you the right to question my choices, Alina?” he asked icily.

From his sudden push, Alina stumbled, nearly falling, but the assistant quickly steadied her. Flustered and humiliated, Alina’s voice rose. “Sawyer, how can you insult me like this? I’m Olivia’s best friend!”

“Do you really think I care?” His voice was cold, each word like a slap to her face. “You aren’t Olivia.”

“But—she broke the necklace! She attacked me, Sawyer!” Alina wailed, pointing at Ellie. “She’s pretending to be innocent now, but she’s nothing but a cunning wenc—”

“Enough.” Sawyer’s icy tone cut her off. His eyes slid to Ellie, who quickly put on a pitiful, vulnerable, wide-eyed expression.

“Ban her,” Sawyer said coolly, shoving his hands into his pockets. He turned and began walking away.

Alina’s face lit up with triumph. “Did you hear that? Ban this bitch from this store right now!” She ordered the assistant.

But instead of grabbing Ellie, the assistant snatched Alina’s store card and broke it in half.

“Ms. Glenn,” the assistant said firmly, “you are no longer welcome here.”

“What?!” Alina shrieked, her voice echoing through the store. “Are you deaf? He meant that beggar bitch, not me! What are you doing?!”

The assistant didn’t flinch, merely signaling for security to escort her out.

Sawyer was one of the owners of Satire. He had already made it clear that Ellie was his girlfriend. How could he harm his own girlfriend for the sake of another woman? The assistant quickly understood exactly who he was referring to when he mentioned the ban.

Alina’s horrified gaze darted to Sawyer, who stood near the exit, watching the scene with a cold, detached expression.

---