Chapter 290
"Joseph, I won't spare you!" I can't hold back anymore.
"Amelia, let go of me."
Amelia held my hand. "John, don't be impulsive!"
I looked at her, wrath engulfing my eyes, a glint killing instant was flickering. She was scared by my expression, evading my gaze.
"You are a complete scoundrel, a whore!" Joseph ignored my fury and shouted at Jenny.
With that, another slap flung over her. "Have you forgotten how despicable you used to be? Let me help you remember."
Fearing his formidable aura, no one dare interrupted him.
Jenny covered her face. "Joseph, please don't do it!"
"You despicable scum."
The moment he raised his hand, I took a step forward, grabbed his hand, no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't make a dent!
"Joseph, you bastard!"
I slapped him across the face.
His cheek swelled visibly, a bright red palm print clearly visible.
That slap directly made him dizzy!
Another slap hit his other cheek, punishing him in the same way!
Then came a series of slaps on his face.
"John!"
Jenny and Amelia rushed over at the same time, Amelia pulled me back, while Jenny pulled Joseph away.
Joseph, with his head spinning from the blows, opened his eyes. "John, I will kill you, I will definitely kill you!"
Restaurant security swarmed me, forming a tight circle. A man in a manager's uniform hurried over to Joseph. "Sir, are you alright?"
"Does it bloody look like I'm alright?" Joseph shoved Jenny aside. "You treacherous witch! You set me up! You brought him here to finish me off!" He backhanded the manager, snapping, "What are you gawking at? Get him!"
A pack of thugs surged forward. I shoved Amelia back, yelling for her to run. She hesitated, then, with a desperate look, sprinted towards the back of the restaurant to call the police.
Four, maybe five, hulking figures closed in. Each one was a mountain of muscle. I could barely handle one, let alone this many. But the adrenaline surging through me wouldn't let me back down. I grabbed a steak knife and fork from a nearby table, driving the fork into the thigh of the closest attacker.
He roared in pain, clutching his leg. The restaurant erupted in chaos as terrified patrons scrambled for the exits.
"Stop it! Everyone just stop!" Jenny tried to reach me, but Joseph held her in an iron grip. "You're going to watch me break him, you whore! I'll kill him for this!"
"Joseph, please! Let him go! I'll do anything!"
"Anything?"
"Yes! Just let him go! I'll marry you!"
Joseph froze, his anger replaced by a cold fury. "So you'd stoop so low for this… this nobody? You've slept with him, right? You've been screwing him behind my back!" His face contorted with rage. "I knew you were a lying, cheating slut!"
"Ms. Smith, don't! Don't do it!" I cried, shielding my head from the blows raining down on me. "Joseph, if you lay a finger on her, I swear I'll make you regret it!"
In that moment, I finally understood. My feelings for Jenny weren't about revenge anymore. Somewhere along the way, she had carved a place for herself deep in my heart.
"This has nothing to do with you, John!" Jenny's voice was like ice. "Get out! Get out of here right now!"
Her words were like daggers to my soul, leaving me numb with pain.
"You think he gets to walk away from this?" Joseph sneered. "I should have finished him last time. This time, he's not getting off so easy."
"If you touch him," Jenny said, her voice dangerously low, "I will never marry you. Ever."
"Are you threatening me?"
"He's my employee. Nothing more. And for your information, Joseph, any decent person would intervene when they see a woman being abused." Jenny's voice dripped with disdain. "Don't flatter yourself by thinking all men enjoy beating women to feel powerful."
Joseph ground his teeth. "Fine. I will spare him this time."
"Let him go. I'll go with you."
The rage drained from Joseph's face, replaced by a smug satisfaction. He pulled Jenny close, his arm snaking around her waist. "See? She's mine. Always will be. And you," he spat at me, "enjoy the show. I'll make sure you get front-row seats to our wedding."
"Ms. Smith, you can't! Please, don't go with him!" I pleaded, collapsing to the ground as the beating continued. The physical pain was nothing compared to the agony tearing through my chest.
"Just go! You're nothing but a burden!" Jenny snapped.
I don't know where I found the strength, but I pushed myself to my feet and lunged at Joseph, slamming my forehead into his gut. He let out a surprised grunt, the air knocked out of him. The impact nearly sent Jenny sprawling, but I caught her before she could fall.
"Ms. Smith, come on! I'll get you out of here!"
Jenny slapped me. Hard. The force of it stunned me, leaving my cheek throbbing.
"All of you! Stop!" She pointed a commanding finger at the approaching thugs. "I'm marrying Joseph. I'll be the mistress of the Garcia family. Cross me, and you'll regret it."
The men froze, fear flickering in their eyes. Even the restaurant manager took a step back. I later learned that the restaurant was just another one of Joseph's possessions.
"Let go of me." Jenny shoved me away, her face a mask of icy fury. "John, I appreciate you trying to help, but you need to stay out of this. Don't let your imagination run wild. This changes nothing. Next time, I won't hesitate to let him hurt you. Do you understand?"
Her words, coupled with that stinging slap, shattered the last vestiges of hope within me.
"Ms. Smith, that's going too far!" Amelia reappeared at my side, taking my hand in hers. "He was only trying to help! You're the one who should be thanking him!"
Jenny scoffed. "This doesn't concern you, Ms. Jones. And you have no right to interfere. What exactly is your relationship with John, anyway?" Her eyes narrowed, focusing on our joined hands.
"We're in love," Amelia said defiantly, tightening her grip on my hand. "And we're getting married. So you can report us if you want. See if we care."
A flicker of something – anger? Jealousy? – crossed Jenny's face, but it vanished as quickly as it appeared. She turned to me, a mocking smile playing on her lips. "Well, well. Who knew John was the marrying type? Don't forget to send an invitation. I'll be sure to give you a gift."
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