I Walked Away And He Lost His Mind (Zephyra) novel Chapter 86

Suddenly, a low, familiar voice resonated beside my ear.

“Mr. Jones. Quite the temper you have there.”

A tidal wave of shock crashed through me. My eyes flew open, and there he was. Steven. His tall, imposing frame stood in front of me, his well-defined hand clamped around Martin’s wrist, stopping the blow just inches from my face.

“Steven?”

I couldn’t begin to describe the feeling. The one person I never expected to see, the one person who would never protect me, was here, protecting me.

I wasn’t the only one in shock. The entire room was stunned into silence, especially Martin. “M-Mr. Lancaster…”

Steven glanced back at me, his eyes quickly scanning me from head to toe. Seeing that I was unharmed, he turned his cold gaze back to Martin and released his wrist. “Mr. Jones, what exactly did my wife do wrong to warrant being struck?”

Martin’s face went pale. “N-nothing! It was all a misunderstanding…”

“So you’d hit her even when she’s done nothing wrong?” Steven’s voice was quiet, almost emotionless, yet it cut like a razor. “In that case, Mr. Jones, are you intentionally trying to slap me in the face?”

My heart gave another hard thump. I couldn’t figure him out. Was he protecting me, or just his own pride?

Martin was frantic. “No, no, of course not! Mr. Lancaster, I would never dare! Not in a million years!”

Janice and Antonia scrambled to their feet, and Janice’s demeanor shifted in an instant. She rushed forward, her face plastered with a fawning smile. “Mr. Lancaster, you’ve misunderstood. It was just a father and daughter having a little spat.” She shot me a harsh glare. “And Zephyra, really, you should have told us Mr. Lancaster was coming instead of lying that he wasn’t.”

A smirk touched my lips. It was almost funny. My father was a spineless, opportunistic businessman through and through. I’d always known I was just a bargaining chip to him, but seeing it laid so bare was still absurd.

“A few words and that’s an apology?” I asked coolly. “You were about to hit me.”

Martin’s eye twitched, clearly annoyed by my insolence, but he forced a smile. “Zephyra, we’re father and daughter. We shouldn’t hold grudges. I’ve already apologized, so please…”

The sound of my hand connecting with his cheek echoed in the stunned silence. I had slapped him, hard.

Everyone, including Steven, who raised a single eyebrow, stared in shock.