“I said, let him go!” Eric’s expression hardened. “Do I need to repeat myself again?”

“No, sir!”

The bodyguards promptly freed Brady.

“Step back!”

They retreated as ordered.

“Eric, you’ve got some nerve!”

Brady lunged again, throwing a fiercer punch than before.

Caught off balance, Eric staggered and collapsed to the ground.

“Mr. Scott!”

Eric raised a hand, signaling for no interference.

“Eric!” Brady clenched his teeth, leaning down to seize Eric’s collar.

“Why aren’t you fighting back? What’s your deal?”

“You want to hit me?” Eric’s tone was detached. “Go on, then…”

“You…” Brady faltered, puzzled by Eric’s odd demeanor, but didn’t hold back. “You think I’ll stop? You asked for this! You had it coming!” With that, he drove his fist into Eric’s stomach.

“Ugh.”

Sensing trouble, Tamara spun around and dashed back into the villa.

At that moment, Hadley was descending the staircase.

They had risen early to relocate, leaving Joy short on sleep and drained from earlier tears.

Hadley had just tucked Joy into her room upstairs. Discover more novels at find~novel~net

“Miss Pearson!” Tamara burst in. “You need to get outside! Your brother’s beating Mr. Scott senseless!”

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Hadley’s face tightened with concern. “Where? At the gate?”

“Yes! Hurry!”

Hadley nodded and rushed outside with Tamara.

“Eric! You bastard!”

Outside the house, Brady had Eric pinned to the ground, landing blow after blow. Eric lay still, silent, taking the hits without resistance.

“Stop it!” Hadley surged forward, grabbing Brady’s arm. “Brady, enough!” Only then did she get a clear look at Eric.

He was sprawled out, blood trickling from his mouth, clothes rumpled, tie twisted.

“Brady!” Hadley tugged at her brother. “I said stop! Get off him now. Are you listening?”

“Hadley…” Brady paused his fists but held fast to Eric’s collar. “Why are you stopping me? This bastard dumped you and needs to be taught a lesson!”

“No!”

Facing her fiercely protective brother, Hadley couldn’t bring herself to reprimand him. She glanced at Eric, battered and broken on the ground, and spoke up. “He didn’t dump me! I’m the one who ended it! I’m leaving him!”

“Seriously?” Brady froze, doubtful. “Is that true?”

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