Dumping The Ice King His Mini-Tyrant novel Chapter 271

Selene focused intently as she helped Adrian with his shirt, unfastening the buttons one by one. The slippery soap made it tricky, her fingers fumbling over the damp fabric.

She had no patience for Harrison’s self-important remarks and ignored him completely.

Adrian cocked his head, meeting Harrison’s gaze with open disdain. “What’s the problem with my girlfriend helping me change?” His tone was sharp, laced with mockery. “Mr. Vaughn, are you stuck in the Dark Ages? Or just hopelessly old-fashioned?”

He stressed the last word, letting it hang between them.

Harrison’s eyes narrowed, as if the words had landed a physical blow. For a moment, he looked genuinely pained, the hurt painted clear across his face.

“Do you even realize what you’re saying?” Harrison scoffed, shaking his head. “How long has it even been since our divorce?”

Selene didn’t so much as glance in his direction. “Oh, so now that I’m your ex-wife, I’m supposed to go into mourning for you?”

She finished with the buttons and, not wanting Adrian to get his hands dirty, simply slipped the shirt off his shoulders herself.

He had a great body—not overly bulky, but lean and sculpted, with just the right amount of muscle tracing his chest and abs. It was the kind of physique you couldn’t build in a gym; he was just born with it.

Selene found herself holding her breath, her cheeks warming at the wave of masculine energy radiating from him.

Noticing the flush spreading across her face, Adrian looked down at her, his voice a deep, velvety bass. “So, who’s better looking—me or Mr. Vaughn?”

He made sure Harrison could hear every word, the question hanging in the air.

Selene laughed, light and unbothered. “You, of course.”

If they were putting on a show, she figured she might as well play her part. She added, “Your skin’s smooth, your muscles are perfectly toned, and your waist is… well, you know. Just perfect.”

Adrian’s waist really was something to admire, but hearing her say it out loud made things suddenly feel a little risqué.

He let out a low, embarrassed sound and licked his lips, suddenly aware he’d set himself up for this.

Color rushed to his ears, turning them bright red, his pulse visible beneath the skin.

Harrison felt like his insides had been twisted into knots. He caught his own reflection in the mirror—red-rimmed eyes, face tense with anger—he barely recognized himself.

What had he become?

“Selene! Are you just with him to get under my skin?” Harrison sneered, rolling his eyes at her. “You and Adrian are a terrible match. He’ll dump you in no time.”

He shoved his hands in his pockets, waiting smugly for her to show the anxiety he so desperately wanted to see.

At last, Selene looked at him, her voice crisp. “Mr. Vaughn, are you that bored lately? If you want to know my only wish for you, it’s this: stay out of my life.”

Seeing Harrison’s face darken, Adrian couldn’t help but laugh out loud.

This time, Adrian picked out a fresh shirt himself and buttoned it up, slipping into a suit jacket with practiced ease. He offered his hand to Selene, and she slipped her arm through his without hesitation.

His body tensed instinctively at her touch.

Harrison’s eyes narrowed again. He’d had his secretary pick out that suit for Adrian, and now, seeing Adrian and Selene together, matching perfectly, he finally understood what it meant to dress someone else for another man’s benefit. It felt like his heart was plummeting from a great height.

Adrian was only a couple of years younger than Harrison, but in Daph’s eyes, the difference was glaring.

She added, “Taking someone as good-looking as Mr. Shaw to an event makes you look so much better, Mom!”

Selene raised an eyebrow, amused. “And where did you learn that?”

Daph tilted her head back, her little face bright and earnest, eyes wide and lashes long. “Penelope told me that a wife’s beauty is a husband’s pride, so she’s learning to do her makeup and keep herself looking pretty all the time. But, Mom, there are tons of pretty wives! Real ‘beauty’ is rare when it comes to men!”

Selene was surprised by her daughter’s insight. With all the school events and the way the moms always tried to outdo each other, Daph must have picked up on more than Selene realized.

“A handsome husband is a wife’s greatest trophy! Mom, you should bring Mr. Shaw to more parties—he makes you look even more amazing!”

Selene felt her heart melt at her daughter’s words. She laughed, her almond-shaped eyes crinkling into crescents.

Suddenly, Daph froze, glancing sharply toward a cluster of bushes nearby.

“What’s wrong?” Selene asked, looking down.

Daph murmured, almost to herself, “I just… I feel like something’s over there. Must be my imagination.”

They started up the steps. Just as they reached the landing, a flash of white darted out from around the corner.

“Mom, watch out!” Daph cried.