?<strong>Chapter 313:</strong>


    Adrian decided it wasn’t worth arguing anymore. He ended the call and went to see how badly Joelle was hurt. Just thirty minutes earlier, Lara had burst into the ce and pped Joelle hard across the face. The p was so strong that Joelle spun around, lost her footing, twisted her ankle, and grabbed onto a nearby counter to steady herself. “You shameless bitch! Are you so desperate for a man that you’d steal my fiancé?”


    Joelle realized this was the same woman who hade looking for Jonathan the other day. Lara wasn’t satisfied with just one p. As she readied herself to hit again, several staff members quickly stepped in to shield Joelle. Unable to hit Joelle, Lara shouted, “Everyone, listen up! Joelle, the owner of this studio, is sleeping with my fiancé! I caught them together!” Her usations became more and more outrageous.


    Joelle’s staff believed in her, but the bystanders, not knowing the truth, quickly judged her. “Isn’t that Joelle who just got pped?” “She looks so nice; who knew she’d do something like that!” “Could it be true? She doesn’t seem the type of person who would do that!” “Well, if the fiancée is here causing a scene, it must be real!” Hearing these whispers, Joelle realized there was no point in trying to reason with Lara.


    Joelle patted her assistant’s shoulder, her expression cold. “Call security and have her removed.” Joelle didn’t want to make a bigger scene in the lobby, but Lara, in her high heels, pushed past several people and charged at her. “So you think you can just run away after fooling around with my man?”


    When Lara tried to p her again, Joelle caught her arm. “If you’re angry, take it up with the man who hurt you. Is it fair to attack a woman you don’t even know?” Lara scoffed, “So you’re admitting it? You were in bed with Jonathan that day, right?”


    “Where’s your proof?” Joelle retorted. Lara scoffed, “So you’re admitting it? You have the nerve to ask for proof after doing something so low?” Joelle stood firm. “Without evidence, you’re just ndering me. Do I look like someone you can push around?”


    Just then, her assistant returned with two security guards. “She’s the one causing trouble. Get her out of here!” Though the guards were quick to respond, Lara managed to elbow them in the face as they approached. Joelle’s demeanor changed instantly. It was evident that Lara had received professional training.


    Although Lara wasn’t the strongest, she had learned self-defense since she was young and knew how to take down men bigger and stronger than herself. Sure enough, the two guards couldn’t stand up to her at all. As the guards hit the floor, everyone, even Joelle, stepped back. “So, what do you have to say now?” Lara asked Joelle with a triumphant look.


    Joelle instructed her assistant, “Call the cops.” The assistant hurriedly pulled out her phone. “Hey!” Lara shouted, grabbing the assistant’s attention. When the assistant looked up, Lara tossed her bag at her, knocking the phone from her hand. The bag’s long chain whipped across Joelle’s neck, leaving a red mark.


    “Calling the police, are you?” Lara sauntered over, bent down, and retrieved her bag. “We’ll see if they side with me or a tramp like you.” Joelle held one hand to her face and the other to her neck. “Even if you destroy this ce, Jonathan will never care about you.”


    Since Lara had struck her so hard, Joelle decided to hit Lara where it hurt. Just as she thought, Lara became even more enraged by Joelle’s words. “Say that again!” Lara yelled, grabbing Joelle by the throat. At that moment, Joelle regretted upsetting a rejected woman. Lara’s tight grip made it hard for her to breathe. Bystanders tried to help, but they were quickly pushed away by Lara’s kicks. Feeling alone and vulnerable, Joelle med herself for her entanglement with Jonathan.


    “Stop!” amanding male voice called out from the entrance. It was Adrian. Lara loosened her grip, and Joelle fell to the floor, gasping for air. “Who are you?”


    Adrian ignored Lara. “Can, secure this area.” He approached Joelle, knelt beside her, and asked, “Are you okay?” Joelle shook her head. Attempting to stand, she winced as pain surged through her ankle. Adrian noticed her difort and quickly scooped her into his arms. Joelle, reacting instinctively, clung to his neck, burying her face against him.


    “Can, make sure she doesn’t get away,” Adrian demanded. “‘Understood,” Can replied. Lara, still defiant, scoffed, “Joelle, you’re really something. It seems every man rushes to your aid.”


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