The Scorned Heiress: No More Mercy novel Chapter 529

Tara watches the man beside her with genuine amusement. Danny acts so cold and unapproachable to the rest of the world, and so incredibly sweet when it's just the two of them. She never realized he had such a vicious, protective streak. She loves it. She mentally tacks on several bonus points to his score, appreciating his fierce defenses.

"Mr. Calhoun, I didn't mean it that way," Jade whimpers, her eyes welling with calculated tears. She always uses the victim card, but it is completely useless on Danny. He isn't one of her easily manipulated brothers.

"Don't use that tone with me. It makes my skin crawl," Danny says, his voice dripping with disgust. "Who are you putting this show on for? Do you think I'm as stupid as the men in your family? You think you can hook me?"

Hearing her try to use a soft, intimate tone like they are close makes him physically nauseous. Now, his heart aches for Tara even more. Tara had to endure this manipulative toxicity for years. He has barely endured three minutes, and he already wants to be sick.

"I... I..." Jade is entirely speechless, her face burning. He sees right through her. She feels like a clown stripped bare under a spotlight. She did try to use a soft, seductive tone to subtly charm him. That trick always worked on Evan and the Dennis boys. But Evan recently turned on her, Jake is keeping his distance, and Nikolai and Alec are becoming increasingly unstable. Is she losing her touch? No, she refuses to believe her charm is fading. This arrogant jerk is just ruthlessly humiliating her!

She silently fumes, convinced Tara is whispering poisonous lies in Danny's ear to ruin her image.

Danny has been waiting for an excuse to tear into the Dennis family for the way they treat Tara. Tara always insists on fighting her own battles, but since they practically threw themselves at the barrel of his gun, he isn't going to hold back.

Nikolai's face cycles through shades of pale and furious red. He forces down his temper. "Mr. Calhoun, regardless of anything else, she was raised in the Dennis household. Your words are completely out of line."

Danny lets out a dark laugh. "I'm just speaking the truth. If you want respect, take a hard look at how your family behaves. Do you really think this girl is a high-society heiress?"