Ever since he’d learned she hadn’t bullied Mathilda, Simon couldn’t stop feeling a strange discomfort whenever he remembered that scene. But the fact remained—Lily had definitely bullied Elsa. That part wasn’t in question. So he glared at her and warned, sharply, “Don’t lay a hand on Lizzy ever again. If I find out you’ve been targeting her—like you did in college—I’ll make sure you pay for it.” Lily’s pretty face turned cold as ice. Fine. She couldn’t stand Simon. But she did like Nancy—a lot. And Simon was Nancy’s nephew. Initially, for Nancy and James’s sake, she’d planned to get through the night civilly. There was no future with this guy, that much was clear. She just wanted to part peacefully. But if he wanted to pick a fight? Then bring it on. Lily stepped forward, one step at a time, head held high like a fearless cub challenging a lion.“The only time I ever interacted with Elsa in college was when we performed in the same show. How exactly did I ‘bully’ her, huh? Simon, are you retarded or what?” “Lily!” Simon’s handsome face darkened instantly, black as coal. This ungrateful woman—she really had the nerve to say his brain had been eaten by a dog? Was she suicidal? His eyes turned glacial, sharp as blades. “Lizzy doesn’t lie. I saw you slap her with my own eyes. Even if you deny it to your grave, it won’t change what you did. Lily, you’d better behave. Or I swear, I’ll make you regret it.” “Simon, you’re out of your damn mind!” Lily had never met anyone so infuriating. Burning with rage, she shoved him hard. Chin raised, she glared at him with scorn. “I don’t think your brain was eaten by a dog. I think it got washed away at birth!” “In school, I never bullied anyone. Fine—I admit I slapped Elsa. But she was a shameless homewrecker who kept trying to ruin me. She deserved it. That day, she nearly got me assaulted by that pervert Randall. A few slaps were letting her off easy!” “Lily, Lizzy would never do something like that!” The mention of Randall made Simon feel a strange twist of unease. But Randall was a well-respected elder, and Lizzy—sweet, innocent Lizzy—was the last person who’d ever do such a thing. To him, Lily was just flipping the truth upside down without shame. His gaze turned even colder. “This is your last warning—stay away from Lizzy. I don’t care if Aunt Nancy or James keep protecting you. If you cross the line again, I’ll make your life a living hell.” “Then tell Elsa to stay away from me!” The more Lily looked at Simon’s distorted sense of right and wrong, the more disgusted she felt. She shoved him again, even harder this time. She forced him back against the wall, then stormed up to him like a wild little lion, ready to fight until someone bled. She grabbed him by the collar, eyes blazing. “She wants John? Fine. She wants trash? I gave her trash.” “She’s a garbage bin. She shouldn’t be overflowing with trash and still trying to ruin other people. I’ll say it now—if she ever tries to set me up again, or smear my name, or pull any of her schemes, I’ll hit her. Every single time I see her!” “Lily!” The second she said she’d hit Elsa, fury exploded in Simon’s veins. He was this close to grabbing her by the neck and ending it right there. But when he looked down, he met a pair of fire-bright, smoldering peach blossom eyes. She was wild, defiant, and alive—like a sunflower burning under the midday sun. His heart skipped a beat. Especially when he noticed where her hand was—clutching his collar, her fingertips grazing his collarbone. The anger boiling in him sputtered out, smothered by something he couldn’t name. His breathing quickened. His skin burned. His brain turned to mush. He stood frozen, ears burning, unable to think.Finally, red-faced, he managed to squeeze out a weak warning. “Let go. Step back. If you… if you dare—” She yanked harder on his collar. Her face tilted up, brushing lightly against his jaw. The sudden shiver that ran down his spine erased the rest of his thoughts. He stood there, stunned. Normally, Simon buttoned his shirts all the way to the top. He liked that clean, restrained look. But tonight, for reasons he couldn’t explain, he’d left the top three buttons undone. Now, with Lily gripping just one side of his shirt, the collar was pulled wide open. All he had to do was glance down—and there it was: his well-defined chest, fully on display.