Vivie stormed into the drawing room, her hands clenched into fists at her sides. “You are insufferable,” she snapped, glaring at Ashton, who sat on the couch, his expression unreadable.

He glanced at her with mild amusement, swirling a glass of whiskey in his hand. “That’s not the worst thing I’ve been called.”

She let out an exasperated sigh. “You make rules like I’m some possession, like I have no say in my own life.”

Ashton leaned forward, placing his drink on the table. “You don’t.”

Her jaw clenched. “You don’t own me.”

He smirked. “That’s where you’re wrong, princess. Your brother made sure of that.”

Vivie’s blood boiled at the reminder. “You’re disgusting.”

Ashton stood, his towering frame closing the distance between them in a few strides. “And you’re a brat who doesn’t know when to keep her mouth shut.”

She refused to step back, lifting her chin defiantly. “And you’re a control freak with a god complex.”

He laughed, the sound low and dark. “You really don’t know what’s good for you, do you?”

Vivie poked a finger into his chest. “And you don’t know how to talk to a woman without sounding like a complete asshole.”

His hand shot out, grabbing her wrist, his grip firm but not painful. “Careful, Vivie,” he warned, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. “You’re walking on thin ice.”

She yanked her hand away, her breath coming in angry bursts. “Then let me fall.”

He exhaled sharply through his nose, shaking his head. “You’re exhausting.”

“And you’re unbearable.”

Ashton’s lips twitched as if he were trying not to smile. “Go to bed.”

Vivie crossed her arms. “Make me.”

His eyes darkened, and for a brief moment, the air between them crackled with something dangerous, something neither of them wanted to name.

Instead of rising to the challenge, he simply turned away. “Good night, Vivie.”

She wanted to throw something at him.

But she wasn’t done yet. “You’re the worst person I’ve ever met.”

He turned back, an eyebrow raised. “Funny, you said the same thing this morning. And yesterday.”

“Because it keeps being true.” She stalked toward him, frustration bubbling over. “You think you can dictate my life just because you wear expensive suits and bark orders?”

He smirked, stepping closer until there was barely an inch between them. “That’s exactly what I think.”

She scoffed. “You know what your problem is?”

“Enlighten me.”

“You have a God complex so massive, I’m surprised it fits in this oversized mansion.”

He chuckled, but there was no humor in it. “And you have a death wish.”

She jabbed a finger at his chest again. “And you have an ego the size of a skyscraper.”

Before she could react, he grabbed her wrist again, pulling her flush against him. Her breath hitched as she found herself trapped in his intense gaze. “And you, Vivie, don’t know when to shut up.”

She glared at him, chest rising and falling rapidly. “No. I don’t.”

A slow smirk played on his lips. “At least you admit it.”

She ripped her hand free and took a step back, her entire body trembling with frustration. “I hate you.”

“Noted.” He turned away as if completely unaffected, which only infuriated her more. “You’re dismissed, princess.”

“I wasn’t aware I needed your permission to leave a room.”

He didn’t even look back. “You don’t. But it’s cute that you think you have control over anything here.”

Her fingers curled into fists. “You are the most infuriating—”

“Goodnight, Vivie.” His voice was firm, final, a clear dismissal.

Grinding her teeth, she turned on her heel and stomped toward the door. Just as she reached it, she spun back around. “You’re still an asshole!” she shouted before slamming the door behind her.

A chuckle drifted through the heavy wood, low and taunting.

Vivie stormed up to her room, her heart pounding, her blood hot with rage. She hated him.

But what infuriated her the most…

Was that some sick, twisted part of her liked this battle of wills.

The war between them was far from over.