Chapter 32 No More Silence
+8 Pearls
Justin stopped in front of Adeline. His gaze swept over her slightly disheveled figure–still standing tall despite it all–before. shifting to Gavin. Their eyes clashed in the air like blades drawn for a duel.
“This has nothing to do with you, Justin,” Gavin spoke first, trying to keep his voice steady, but the weakness in his tone betrayed him.
Justin gave a slow, mocking smile. “Oh? But I just witnessed everything that happened. As a citizen of Vale City, I think I have a duty to step in when something this ugly is unfolding, don’t you?”
As he spoke, he pulled out his phone. The screen showed a video of Eden being shoved to the ground. The clip had already gone viral–comments rolled across the screen in real time.
“God, is this what rich family drama really looks like?”
“Who the hell is that guy? He’s a total psycho!”
“Good for her. Stand your ground, queen!”
The moment Gavin saw the video, whatever composure he had left shattered. He lunged forward, snatching the phone out of Justin’s hand and smashing it on the floor. But the tantrum only made him look even more pathetic.
Justin didn’t react. He simply raised an eyebrow, his tone laced with amusement. “Looks like this little performance is getting more and more interesting
His eyes returned to Adeline. Beneath the cool, dangerous sharpness, something complicated flickered there. “Don’t worry. From now on, no one lays a hand on you.”
His words hit the room like a stone dropped into still water, sending ripples through the already–tense atmosphere.
The crowd fell silent. All eyes were fixed on him. The bodyguards behind him moved swiftly, black suits closing in like a tide, sealing off the space. People stepped back. A few even fumbled to hide their phones, suddenly wary of becoming collateral.
Adeline stood where she was; pale but unyielding. She didn’t look at Justin. Her eyes were downcast, seemingly indifferent to the chaos around her. But the faint tremble in her fingers betrayed the turmoil inside.
Justin walked toward her, calm and steady. His gaze swept past Gavin, cold enough to burn. When he stopped in front of Adeline, he lowered his head to look at her.
“You okay?” His voice was low, gentle–a sharp contrast to the force he’d just displayed.
Adeline met his eyes for a brief moment, then gave a slight shake of her head. “I’m fine.”
He frowned. He didn’t believe her.
His eyes drifted to her sleeves and shoulder–wrinkled, slightly red where Gavin had grabbed her. No visible bruises, but the marks were enough to spark a quiet rage behind his calm exterior.
“Who did it?” His voice dropped, icy and sharp, slicing through the air.
Adeline said nothing. She looked away. She didn’t want this to escalate further. She didn’t want him involved.
But Justin took her silence for confirmation.
His eyes locked onto Gavin, expression frozen and lethal. “Mr. Gavin. Is this how you treat your guests?”
Gavin stood stiffly, trying to keep up his act, but the sweat breaking across his brow gave him away. He knew Justin wasn’t someone to mess with–but he couldn’t afford to back down, not here, not now,
Chapter 32 No More Silence
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cut ties with the Laytons years ago. So tell me what “family matter‘ could possibly involve her now?”
+8 Pearls
The words hit like a dagger. Gavin’s face twisted. He had no response–because Justin was right. Adeline hadn’t been part of the Layton family for years. They’d cast her out.
But that only made the humiliation burn deeper. Clenching his jaw, Gavin snapped, “Even so, she was still my sister. What’s wrong with me teaching her a lesson or two?”
Teaching her a lesson?” Justin gave a low, cold laugh. “If your idea of teaching means putting your hands on her, you might want to look that word up again.”
Then, without even looking back, he gave the order. Take him.”
The bodyguards moved instantly. Before Gavin could react, they had him pinned to the floor. He struggled, but it was useless. Their strength was overwhelming–no matter how hard he fought, he couldn’t break free.
“Let me go!” he roared. Justin, you dare lay a hand on me!”
The threat didn’t even register.
Justin stood there, unmoved, looking down at him. To Justin, Gavin was nothing more than a joke. No matter how much he threw a tantrum, he was still just a nobody.