Too Late, Mr. Cooper: Your Bride Ran with Your Baby novel Chapter 127

A dangerous glint flashed in Linton's eyes. He had been dealing with Liam frequently over the past few weeks regarding the child's custody.

Stepping closer, Linton positioned himself beside Liliana, his tall frame partially shielding her delicate figure. "So, Mr. Grayson, when negotiations failed, you decided to use my fiancée to stir up trouble?"

"I am not your fiancée," Liliana snapped, pushing him away with a look of disgust. He was crowding her, and she found it suffocating. "Get away from me. Go stand somewhere far away."

Linton's breath hitched. He shot a pained, angry look at her before turning his glare back to Liam. "Do you have any idea what the man you're having dinner with has been up to—"

"I don't need to know," Liliana cut him off, her head still bowed over the menu, refusing to engage. "Your business has nothing to do with me."

"Then why are you out to dinner with him?" Linton leaned down, his large frame casting a shadow over her, enveloping her completely.

Liliana's brow furrowed in annoyance.

Before she could react, Liam stood up and physically pulled Linton back. He stepped in front of Liliana, a low chuckle rumbling in his chest as he touched his tongue to the inside of his cheek. His voice was a lazy, sensual drawl laced with unmistakable meaning.

"Mr. Cooper, you're a man who is about to start a new family with your sister. I'd appreciate it if you'd keep your distance from my girlfriend. After all... a man and a woman shouldn't be so close in public. It might give people the wrong idea."

Liliana's head snapped up.

Linton’s eyes clouded over. .

For a split second, they both stared at Liam in stunned silence.

Linton recovered first. His voice so tight it sounded like it was being squeezed through his teeth. A vein throbbed at his temple. "What girlfriend?"

"Liliana, he's lying, right?" A flicker of raw panic crossed Linton's eyes. He stared at her, his handsome face paling, desperate for her to deny it.

Silence.

Linton's eyes turned red as he stared at her, trying to divine if she was telling the truth. Liliana met his gaze without flinching, pressing herself even closer to Liam. "This place is suddenly so unpleasant," she said brightly to Liam. "Darling, let's go somewhere else."

"Whatever Liliana wants," Liam purred, his smile wide and lazy.

They turned to leave, their arms linked.

Linton's face went cold. In a single stride, he blocked their path. He narrowed his eyes, a storm of suppressed fury and pain brewing within them.

"Liliana." He clamped his lips shut. When he spoke, his usually cool, indifferent voice was fractured, trembling with a raw, broken edge.