Chapter 117

Jovan's expression turned colder, but he didn't lash out, instead, he sneered, "Looks like you're about to cater to the very rat you despise. Isn't that even more pathetic?"

"I'll never serve you. Even if you shamelessly take advantage of me, I'll despise you with every fiber of my being. Don't you see how ridiculous you are? You can't handle someone like Samuel, so you go after his woman? Only a cowardly loser would pick on women to feel powerful."

"The more you rant, the less you measure up to Samuel. You're nowhere near his league. Oh wait, you're not even worthy to be compared to him- you're just a petty little man!"

In a swift motion, Jovan's hand sent the wine glass in front of him flying.

"Stop, don't say another word..." Emily urged apprehensively, fearing that Jovan's wrath might turn upon her as well.

But Layla rose to her feet, confronting him without a trace of fear, all the pent-up anger from the last two days erupting uncontrollably.

"What's the matter? Can't handle the truth? I'm right, and you're afraid to admit you're just a coward." " Layla accused. "You could take every woman from Samuel and you still wouldn't compare-you're nothing, a coward!"

"You're asking for it!"

Enraged beyond reason, Jovan lunged at Layla, gripping her throat tightly with his hand.Experiencing searing pain in her throat, Layla, in desperation, grabbed a plate and hurled it at Samuel's head. But he sidestepped swiftly, tossing her onto the couch.

"Aaah-"

Jovan pinned her down, furiously tugging at her body, "You ungrateful woman," he roared in her ear, "I am far better than that bastard. What makes him think he can even compare to me? What does he have-"

"He is nothing but a sewer rat! A lowlife!"

His hands were rough, violently tearing at her clothes, ripping them open to expose her pale shoulder.

His movements were brutish, as if trying to tear her apart, ripping out her insides.

Layla, helpless, closed her eyes in pain.

But Jovan wouldn't have it. Taking her chin in his hand, he forced her eyes open, "Look at me, see who is taking you now!"

"Jovan..."

"You should be ashamed," Layla's face flushed with distress, nearly suffocating.

Emily stood by, paralyzed, wanting to help her, but too afraid to act.

A dreadful thought flashed through Emily's mind: Given Jovan's current brutality, Layla might lose the child. And once Jovan had his way with her, Samuel would no longer want her.

Ashamed of this despicable thought, unable to control her inner hope, Emily turned away.

"Jovan-" Layla screamed, tasting the salty sting of tears.

"Crash-" Just then, several black SUVs smashed through the floor-to-ceiling windows with thunderous force, glass shards scattering everywhere as the bodyguards scrambled out of the way.

Jovan's violence halted abruptly.

Several burly men in black stepped out of the SUVs, swiftly subduing the bodyguards.

Long, resolute legs stepped out; as Samuel made his entrance, his icy face became consumed with rage. He charged forward, grabbed Jovan by the shirt, and hurled him aside. "Bang!"

Jovan landed amidst the broken glass, his body slashed with numerous cuts, shards embedding into his flesh.

"I'm here, don't be afraid." Samuel cradled Layla tenderly; she clung to his neck like a helpless child, shivering, and complained with hurt in her eyes, "How come you only just arrived?" She cried out loud, releasing all her pent-up grievances, her reliance on him intense.

Emily, looking on with a pale face, was consumed with jealousy.

She had never imagined seeing the man she loved cradling another woman, his tenderness driving her mad with envy.

He had not so much as spared her a glance, as if she were invisible. Even when they had been together, he had never looked at her with such caring eyes. Layla was cradled in his arms like a treasure, even a minor wound would make him furrow his brow in concern.

"It's okay now."

"Samuel, you son of a bitch, how dare you hit me!" Jovan spat out a mouthful of blood onto the ground, his lips tinged with the taste of metal, and charged with fists swinging.

"Be careful." Layla and Emily shouted in unison.

With reflexes swifter than a cheetah's, Samuel spun around, effortlessly dodging the incoming punch with ease as the two men broke into a fight. But it was clear that Samuel held the upper hand, while his adversary, although formidable in combat, was now raging uncontrollably, swinging his fists wildly and exposing his weaknesses. A heavy blow landed on his head, stars bursting before his eyes.

Samuel grabbed Jovan's neck and slammed him against the wall with a thud. The back of his head collided with the concrete; his vision went white, and it took ages for his breath to come back to him. Sporting a face marred with injuries, he managed a defiant grin, his eyes bloodshot with madness. "What? You gonna kill me? You got the guts?"

"If I kill you, how am I gonna explain it to our father? Both of his sons died by my hand?"

Jovan's grip tightened, his expression turned to ice, dangerous as the devil himself. "I'm not going to kill my own brother, and you, you're not worth the effort. Don't think just because you got rid of the evidence, you won't face justice. Sooner or later, you'll fall by my hand."

"You dare?"

"Am I afraid of father if I want your life?" Samuel laughed coldly, his calm more frightening than rage. A bestial ferocity lurked within his formidable frame.

"This is just a small punishment. Touch my woman again, and I'll break your hands!" With that, he flung Jovan aside who collapsed to the floor, as if at death's door.

Samuel scooped up Layla and left.

Emily stood there, watching him cradle Layla, and the despair in her eyes was palpable.

How she wished she was the one in his arms, the one he was rescuing, but his gaze never lingered on her for a second.

Her heart felt like it had plunged into an abyss.

...

At the Holland family estate.

Like a delicate porcelain doll, Layla was gently placed onto the bed by Samuel.

Holding her cold hand, he assured her, "Don't be afraid, you're safe here." He sighed with guilt within; the more he cared, the less he seemed to protect her.

Layla nodded. From the moment he appeared, her fear vanished. As if the storm outside meant nothing, for in the warmth of his embrace, she knew no worries could touch her. His broad chest could shield her from any tempest.

Touching her face tenderly, Samuel looked at her with an affection that could melt hearts. Caught in the warmth of his gaze, Layla's eyes welled up, her lips trembling as she murmured, "Why did you take so long? I was nearly bullied to death."