Adrian unleashed his fury like a wild beast once Bryce finished his taunts.
His eyes burning with rage, Adrian delivered a forceful kick that sent Bryce reeling back. Had his cronies not caught him, he would have crashed onto the ground in humiliation.
âFuck, you ungrateful brute!â Bryce regained his footing and cruelly dragged Joelle by her hair, forcing her to kneel painfully on the ground. The agony in her scalp rivaled the pain shooting through her knees.
Adrian, just within reach, watched helplessly as Joelle stretched out her hand towards him, only to be pushed down to kneel before her. There was Adrian.
For eight years, Joelle had loved this man, once so dignified and untouchable.
Tears streamed down Joelleâs cheeks as she gazed at Adrian, her heart breaking.
Bryce began to unbuckle his belt. âYou ungrateful scoundrel, youâre going to watch her suffer!â
In a burst of raw power, Adrian broke free from the men holding him back and charged at Bryce.
Bryce, caught off guard, gave Adrian a critical two-second opening.
In that brief window, Adrian landed several fierce kicks to Bryceâs lower regions before he was dragged away.
âAh!â This time, Bryce remained on the ground, clutching himself and howling in pain.
His henchmen stood frozen. âBossâ¦â
âAh! Kill him! Kill him!â
gαâηÏνððsï¼ð¸ððº brings magic to life He was screaming for Adrianâs death.
âNo!â Joelle cried out in despair.
Exhausted yet resolute, Adrian had bought them crucial time. Finding a reserve of strength she hadnât known she possessed, Joelle threw herself protectively over Adrian, covering him with her own body as she sobbed.
Several blows struck her back, and while she remained silent, the pain was evident on her face.
Adrian used every ounce of his remaining strength to shield Joelle with his body. âJoelle, now itâs my turn to protect you.â
Her hands, slick with his blood, cradled his face gently.
She shook her head, her voice filled with desperate fear. âPlease, just hold on a bit longer! Adrian, I canât bear to lose you!â Adrian, too weak to speak, offered her a faint smile.
Joelle clutched his head protectively with both hands. As despair enveloped them, a gunshot suddenly pierced the air, shifting the tide.
Heads turned toward the noise. There stood an elderly man with white hair and a beard, exuding strength. On either side of him were Shawn and Katherine.
Only half an hour before, Shawn and Katherine had managed to connect with Jax Ricard, Jonathan and Bryceâs father, thanks to the diversion created by Adrian and Joelle.
The decoy ring Adrian had been clutching was now just fragments in his hand.
Bryce was helped to his feet. âDadâ¦â
Jax spat, âTake your brother to me! If anything happens to him, youâll share his fate!â
He then commanded his men to assist Adrian and Joelle. Upon seeing the extent of their injuries, Shawn and Katherine hurried over to aid them.
âMr. Miller, I apologize for the distress my sons have caused. Please accompany us back to the estate where my personal doctor can attend to your wounds.â
Joelle had her first look at the famous Rose Manor that Jonathan had mentioned, but she couldnât fully appreciate its grandeur. Adrian was seriously hurt, and Bryce was in even worse condition.
This was because Adrian had kicked him, aiming to kill him.
Jax had a conversation with Jonathan and found out that Joelle had once saved Jonathanâs life. This revelation increased his respect for them immensely.
âYou saved my most promising son. Consider yourselves honored guests of ours!â
That evening, Jax threw a banquet to celebrate them.
At the event, Joelle met Jonathanâs mother, Effie Ricard. The news of Leo and Laraâs demise clued her in on the gravity of the situation.
âJoelle, thank you so much for saving my son!â Effieâs tears flowed freely, her fear still clear.
Years back, Effie was merely a waitress who had a fleeting relationship with Jax. Her humble background and status didnât align with the prestigious Ricard family.
Her current position was all thanks to her sonâs achievements. She was well aware of the dangers her son had faced over the years. Now, her concerns for wealth and power had faded; her sonâs safety and well-being were her only priorities.
âWas there another young person who saved my son?â Joelle understood she was talking about Adrian. âHeâs badly hurt and couldnât make it here.â
Effie got up immediately. âThen I must go and thank him myself.â With no time to waste, the elderly lady hastened to Adrianâs bedside.
In the room, Adrian was resting quietly in the bed. From afar, Effie noticed his head bandages and felt a sharp twinge of sadness.
âYoung man, thank you for saving my son.â
Approaching him, Effie saw Adrian open his eyes, and their eyes locked.
Effieâs face transformed with astonishment. âYouâ¦â
Adrian asked, âDo you know me?â
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