Just thinking about how Serena had dismissed him with such disdain earlier that day made Brad seethe with frustration. He thought she was ungrateful. After all, he had been nothing but genuine toward her, yet she still dared to fantasize about staying with Harvey.

Brad was determined not to let that happen. Serena was going to be his, no matter what.

It was not about love or promises; it was about his pride as a man and the thrill of conquest. Losing the fight for the family headship to Harvey had already been humiliating enough, but if he could not win Serena over, Brad figured he might as well crawl into a hole and die.

Behind the bar, the bartender glanced at him while mixing a drink. "Mr. Brad, maybe you should ease up on the drinks—you've got business to handle later."

"Shut the hell up!" Brad snapped, his voice slurred with irritation. "Who the hell do you think you are, telling me what to do?"

The bartender flinched and backed off, deciding it was not worth arguing.