Magnus tightened his embrace immediately.
One hand pressed firmly against the back of her head, holding her against him, while the other wrapped around her waist, anchoring her there. His jaw clenched as he rested his cheek against her hair, his eyes dark and murderous as they lifted toward the men dragging the attacker away.
His arms tightened around her, pulling the jacket closer around her shoulders, making her lean fully into him. One of his hands moved to her back, rubbing gently, trying to steady her shakingbody, while his other lifted her chin so he could see her face clearly.
Outside the room, Arthur stood frozen, confusion written all over his face.
The men who had come with Magnus were beating the driver mercilessly, their kicks landing again and again until the man’s face turned black and blue. His cries filled the corridor.
Joseph and Curtis exchanged panicked looks.
Violet leaned closer to Joseph, her voice trembling as she whispered, “W… Who told him?”
“What is going on?” Arthur demanded, his eyes flicking from Curtis to Joseph, then to Violet, and back inside the room where Magnus held Sophia.
Joseph reacted first.
He and Curtis quickly moved closer to Arthur, almost huddling beside him.
“Look at what your daughter was doing!” Joseph hissed urgently. “We caught her sleeping with our goddamn driver!”
“Yes!” Curtis added, his lips shaking as he rushed to fuel the fire. “It was Violet who called us. She saw everything. Look at her! This is how she repays you for raising her. How can you let someone like her continue living in your house and still call her your daughter?”
He shot another glance inside the room, saw Magnus holding Sophia close, and panic flashed across his face. Turning back to Arthur, he pressed urgently, “You should cut ties with her. Don’t call her your daughter anymore. How are you going to face people outside after this? She was sleeping with the driver!”
Arthur’s gaze slowly shifted.
He looked at Sophia, who was clearly shaken, barely able to stand as Magnus held her tightly and shielded her with his coat. Then he looked at the man lying on the floor being beaten.
Finally, he turned back to Joseph and Curtis.
There was no anger in Arthur’s eyes.
Only disbelief.
“What the hell did you just say?” he asked slowly.
“Don’t get angry,” Joseph said quickly.
Violet immediately stepped forward, seizing the chance. “Yes, Uncle. You need to think about yourself and our family,” she said earnestly. “If you kick her out, it will be easier to protect our business. If word gets out that you forgave her and kept Sophia in the family even after seeing such a shameful thing, it will damage your reputation.”
She swallowed, then pushed further, greed flashing through her fear.
“Why don’t you transfer the business to me instead? Introduce me as your daughter. This way, you can hold your head high in front of everyone, instead of hiding in shame because of her.”
“It’s good for the business too,” Curtis said, forcing a smile as he stepped closer and placed a hand on Arthur’s shoulder.
Arthur didn’t react.
He simply stared at them, his brows slowly drawing together, disbelief and confusion clouding his face. But Joseph and Curtis mistook his silence for approval and rushed to fill it.
“You have to understand, Arthur,” Curtis continued, leaning in, his voice low but urgent. “This is a situation you have to take seriously. She was in bed withafucking driver. Even if nothing happened, it looks terrible. You know how people talk. The moment she steps outside this room, they’ll drag your name through the mud with hers.”
Joseph nodded quickly, his fingers tightening at his sides. “It’s better to end things now. What does she even have to do with our family anymore? Her mother is dead. You don’t need to stay tied to her forever.”
Curtis swallowed and pressed on, greed flashing behind his fear. “You can remarry. Have a new family. Why live alone like this? Keeping Sophia is only ruining your life. You’re already in your fifties. Shouldn’t you think about the years you have left?”
“Let her go,” Joseph urged. “You save the company, and we remain a respectable, reputable family.”
