Chapter 30: Digging for the Truth

Chris sat in his car, parked a few blocks away from the restaurant. His fingers drummed lightly against the steering wheel as he stared at his phone screen.

Skylar: I'll text you when I'm done.

That was twenty minutes ago.

Chris had never been the jealous type. He wasn't worried about Skylar falling for Zayne—but he didn't like being blindsided. And something about Zayne Lancaster didn't sit right with him.

He needed answers.

Without hesitation, he pulled up his contacts and called the one person who could get them.

Ethan picked up on the first ring. "Need something?"

Chris didn't waste time. "Zayne Lancaster. Find out everything about him. His businesses, connections, scandals—everything."

Ethan paused for a second before responding. "You want a full background check?"

"Yes. And I want it fast."

Ethan exhaled, the sound of clicking keys in the background already telling Chris he was on it. "I'll see what I can dig up. But from what I already know? Zayne isn't just some rich kid playing elite. His family has serious pull."

Chris's grip on the steering wheel tightened. "How serious?"

"Serious enough that if he wants something, people don't usually get in his way."

Chris smirked, his tone ice-cold. "Then it's a shame for him that I'm not most people."

Ethan chuckled. "I figured you'd say that."

Chris leaned back, watching the restaurant entrance through his windshield. He had no intention of barging in like some jealous fool. No, he played the long game.

If Zayne Lancaster was a problem, Chris would handle it the way he handled everything else.

Silently. Ruthlessly.

And Zayne wouldn't even see it coming.