Chapter 3

I spat out the two words, my eyes full of mockery.

My reaction clearly enraged her father.

The man who had been silently observing finally spoke.

He didn't inquire about his daughter’s well-being, nor did he question why I had laid hands on her.

He simply frowned, speaking to me in an unyielding, commanding tone:

“Julian, stop this nonsense!”

“Our joint project is set to launch next week. The signing ceremony is all prepared; we can’t have any mishaps now!”

I looked at him, my heart sinking further and further.

This was Seraphina’s father.

For the sake of profit, for the partnership with the Hayes family, he could completely disregard his daughter’s life.

Even after I publicly struck her, all he cared about was whether the project would be affected.

The chilling depths of his self-interest, the cold calculus of his priorities, were laid bare right before my eyes.

I stared at him coldly. “If you want the project to proceed smoothly, then shut her up and let me handle this.”

My words stunned him.

He probably hadn't expected me to speak to him with such defiance.

A flicker of hesitation and struggle crossed his clouded eyes.

Just for a second.

Then he made his choice.

He actually let go of Seraphina’s hand and pushed the trembling Seraphina towards me.

“Julian, talk to Seraphina properly. Don’t… don’t let things get out of hand.”

Seraphina stared at her father, disbelief etched on her face.

“No…”

As Seraphina was pushed directly in front of me, I lifted my foot and kicked her hard in the stomach.

She flew backwards, landing on her knees, clutching her stomach in agony!

I looked down at her, my voice ice-cold:

“You said you were pregnant, didn’t you? I just kicked you in the stomach, and there’s no sign of blood!”

She shrieked, wrenching free from her mother’s grasp, and snatched her phone from her bag.

“I’m calling the police! This is assault! I’m going to have you arrested!”

Her father’s face instantly changed.

“Don’t you dare call the police!”

He lunged forward, grabbed her phone, and violently slammed it to the ground!

A sharp *crack* echoed through the air as the screen shattered into a spiderweb of cracks.

Everyone was stunned.

Why? Why wouldn’t he let her call the police?

His daughter was assaulted, and not only did he not pursue it, he even stopped her from calling the authorities?

“If you won’t call, I will.”

In front of everyone, I calmly unlocked my phone screen, found the number I knew by heart, and pressed the dial button.

Seraphina’s face instantly drained of all color.

Like a madwoman, she lunged at me, desperate to snatch my phone.

“No! Julian, don’t call the police! Please, I beg you!”

For the first time, her voice was laced with genuine terror and pleading.

No longer that feigned sob story from before.

Her parents also reacted, rushing towards me.

Her mother even dropped to her knees with a desperate plea at my feet, clutching my legs and crying:

“Julian! I’m begging you! Let’s talk this out, please don’t make a scene!”

“You absolutely cannot call the police! Please!”