The sharp nib of the fountain pen easily penetrated through my palm. Ruby-red blood gushed out from the puncture. I screamed in agony, my face twisting grotesquely. I could vividly feel the tendons in my hand being crushed and torn apart.
Ethan picked up the file and, without hesitation, tore it into pieces, hurling the shreds of paper into my face. "You imbecile. I'll teach you what your useless father failed to educate you—keep your hands and eyes off what's not yours!"
With that, his lackeys hoisted me into the air again.
The kick had left my body drenched in cold sweat. I hung my head, nearly dying, thinking Ethan would let it end here, only to hear him command that I be carried into the company's lobby.
…
The front desk staff and passersby outside gawked at the scene. A few curious onlookers, clueless about what was happening, asked what had occurred.
Ethan merely snorted, his cold gaze sweeping over me from head to toe. "Just a new assistant who doesn't know his place. He tried to hit on his boss on his first day, so I'm just giving him a lesson."
Some of the bystanders couldn't just watch. They criticized me for my underhanded methods but, at the same time, tried to reason with Ethan kindly.
"That's enough! People might think you're beating up your wife's lover! You guys are all coworkers, and look at what you've done! This is way over the line!"
To their surprise, Ethan merely laughed, as if the others were blind.
"Do you even know who I am?" he questioned. "My dad's an executive in this company, and I'm the only man worthy of Ms. Judd! Me marrying her is basically a done deal, so yeah, I am punishing him for my future wife!"
No one dared to say another word. After all, the Judd family was practically untouchable in the entire city. Meanwhile, Celeste was now the one in charge of the family.
Unbeknownst to many, the Judds also had a son who never appeared in public. Back then, Dad had intended to pass the Judd Group inheritance to me, but I didn't want it.
Instead, I threw myself into research, serving the country. That was why, for seven whole years, no media ever revealed that the Judd family had more than one child.
Ethan obviously had no idea. Seeing the increasing number of onlookers surrounding us, he only looked more smug. "I'm just saying, I'm not the only one who despises people like you—Ms. Judd does, too. Try hitting on my fiancee, and you're done for!"
In the middle of the commotion, Ethan's father, Simon Irwin, caught wind of the situation and hurried down to the lobby. Seeing me kneeling outside the company entrance, my clothes torn and disheveled, he didn't get angry.
Instead, he smiled and praised, "Not bad, Ethan. You're already clearing the way for yourself before even becoming part of the Judd family! Once you marry Ms. Judd, I'll finally get to share in the glory, too!"
I glared at this father-and-son pair, a cold smile twitching at the corner of my lips. Summoning every ounce of strength, I managed to pipe up, "In your dreams! After everything you've done to me today, don't even think about having anything to do with the Judds!"
Hearing that, Simon was so enraged that he kicked me to the ground. The fat, bloated hands kept punching my face again and again. I was beaten until my eardrum burst, and the corners of my mouth split open.
By the time their voices faded, all that remained in my ears was a sharp, ringing buzz.
"How dare you speak to me with that tone! Now, you're just asking for death!"
Simon lifted his arm, ready to continue his bashing, but a few men in workwear emerged from the crowd and stopped him. "Ozzy!"
With great effort, I forced my eyelids open and glanced around, only to see Daniel approaching with several colleagues in tow.
