Just then, Edward walked over with an elegantly dressed older woman in tow, stepping in to stop the beating.
"That's enough. He's your son-in-law, after all."
The moment the words left his mouth, everyone burst out laughing.
Marcia's expression softened slightly at the sight of Edward.
"Dad, this is Edward Delgado. He's technically my assistant, but he's actually the young heir of the Delgado family."
A blush crept across Marcia's cheeks as she spoke. A young heir who willingly served as her assistant — David understood immediately.
He smiled warmly and greeted Edward and his mother, then not-so-subtly nudged Marcia toward Edward's side.
"Marcia, a man like Edward is the kind who truly deserves you. One of these days, I'll have you divorce that deadbeat Everard."
Marcia swatted at his arm, her cheeks flushing deeper. "Dad, stop talking nonsense!"
Wanda Delgado was a shrewd woman, and she knew how to put on a performance.
"Mr. Harding, you shouldn't say things like that. Your daughter's husband is standing right there!"
"This must be him!"
She pointed at me, then walked over with a face full of motherly concern.
"Oh, sweetheart, get up off the ground!"
"You must have had your reasons for doing what you did, right?"
Wanda reached out and suddenly seized my hand. Before I could react, she let out a piercing shriek.
"Ahh! You pervert!"
She shoved me hard to the ground. "He groped me! He actually groped me!"
David's face contorted with rage. "Marcia! You see that? He's nothing but garbage through and through!"
"This time, nobody stops me. I'm not just breaking his legs — I'm crushing his hands too."
Voices rose in agreement from every direction. I scrambled to my feet, desperate to explain, but no one listened.
Marcia stared at me with undisguised disgust. "Everard, you make me sick."
David barked his orders without hesitation. "What are you all standing around for? Break him. Now."
The words had barely left his mouth before I was surrounded.
But right then, dozens of luxury vehicles came tearing down the road and barreled straight onto the scene.
The door of a stretched Rolls-Royce swung open, and a man stepped out. Middle-aged, immaculately dressed, radiating authority and ice-cold power.
"You want to destroy my son?" Edwin Stephens swept his gaze across the crowd. "None of you are worthy."
