?<strong>Chapter 315:</strong>


    After discovering Lara’s deep-seated fear of water, Can led her to the shadowy underbelly of the overpass. As twilight descended, the ceaseless rumble of vehicles overhead created a relentless symphony of noise.


    At first, Lara trailed behind him without a second thought, her confidence bolstered by the belief that Jonathan would swoop in to save her. Even if he harbored no affection for her, Lara was certain that, bound by duty and the bond between their families, Jonathan would undoubtedlye to her rescue.


    Can had orchestrated the setup of a colossal vat brimming with water. Its immense size was such that it couldfortably amodate three grown men. Lara was prodded forward, but upon glimpsing the riverbank looming ahead, she dug in her heels and refused to budge. Can’s lips curled into a mocking sneer. “What’s the matter? Are you scared?”


    Of course, Lara was scared. She wasn’t one to flinch at knives or even the sight of guns, but water was something she couldn’t handle. As a child, she had nearly drowned in a swimming pool, and it was only by Jonathan’s intervention that she had survived. From that day forward, she had shied away from any body of water.


    “What do you want?” she asked.


    Can snorted. “Don’t worry, we won’t hurt you.”


    Lara didn’t believe him at all. The mere sight of that vat of water sent rm bells nging in her mind. She couldn’t afford to wait for Jonathan to save her.


    “Grab her!” Can ordered.


    The men he had brought along were seasoned fighters. In an instant, they had Lara firmly restrained. With Lara held on both sides, Can mercilessly plunged her head into the vat of water. Taken off guard, Lara choked on a mouthful of water, her hair sticking to her face like wet tendrils.


    “How dare you!” She gasped for breath and cursed. “Do you know who I am? If Jonathanes, he won’t let you off!” No sooner had she spoken than her head was thrust back into the water once more. She thrashed wildly, but she wouldn’t be pulled out until she felt she was about to drown. This happened over and over, no less than ten times.


    Lara was tormented to the point of being deathly pale, yet she still defiantly spat out, “Just wait. When Jonathanes, he’ll cut you all down!”


    Can raised his hand to call for a halt. “Do you know who tipped us off about your fear of water?”


    Lara’s eyes were red-rimmed, and Can’s words sent a shiver down her spine. She had grown up in Bristania. How could anyone here know her fear of water? Only Jonathan could have known.


    “It’s impossible! Impossible!” Can signaled again, and Lara’s head was plunged back into the water. By the end, sheer terror had rendered her unconscious.


    A Rolls-Royce had been parked nearby for what felt like an eternity. As soon as Lara fainted, Leo turned to Jonathan and said, “Lara has passed out.”


    Jonathan checked his watch. The timing was perfect. Adrian should have calmed down by now, and this could serve as an exnation to Joelle.


    “Bring her back.”


    When Lara opened her eyes, there stood Jonathan. Just as in her childhood, when she had fallen into the pool, the first face she saw upon waking was Jonathan’s. Years had passed, and he had only grown more handsome and resolute. “Jonathan…” Lara choked out, her voice trembling with immense grievance. “Was it you who told them I was afraid of water?”


    “How could it be?” Jonathan’s smile was casual and indifferent, a trait that women found irresistible. Given the ties between their families, he would never admit it. If he said so, Lara would undoubtedly believe him.


    “Jonathan, they almost killed me!” She sat up, desperate to throw herself into Jonathan’s arms for sce.


    “Who told you to mess with Joelle?” Jonathan’s words halted her in her tracks. His face no longer held any trace of a smile, as if saying she deserved every bit of this torment.


    “I’m your fiancée! I will eliminate any woman who tries to seduce you!”


    “When did I ever say you could make choices for me?” Jonathan seized her chin, his voice frigid. “Lara, this is the final time. If you dare to trouble Joelle again, it won’t be Adrian, but me who handles you.”


    Lara trembled and swallowed hard in fear. “Jonathan, do you like Joelle?”


    “That’s none of your business.”


    “How is it not my business?” Tears welled up in Lara’s eyes. “I’m your fiancée. If you like someone else, why did you get engaged to me?”


    Jonathan turned to her, his gaze piercing. “If you’re opposed to our marriage, then speak with our parents. I won’t stand in your way.”


    The atmosphere fell quiet again. Later that evening, Joelle got a phone call from Jonathan. She wasn’t surprised; the injuries she bore were, after all, a stark reminder of the consequences of his actions.


    “Sorry,” Jonathan said, his tone devoid of remorse, insteadced with a mocking undertone. The spectacle of two women vying for his attention had clearly amused him.


    “I recall you mentioning that you came here to repay my kindness. Is this your way of repaying it?”


    “Still upset? What if I have Larae over and apologize to you in person?”


    “That’s not necessary.” Joelle exhaled deeply. There were things she needed to get off her chest. “Jonathan, you don’t owe me anything. If you really want to repay me, just keep you and your fiancée out of my life.”


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