I Walked Away And He Lost His Mind (Zephyra) novel Chapter 87

Janice and Antonia were frozen, their minds seemingly unable to process that I would dare to strike my own father.

I watched my father’s expression shift from shock to a murderous rage. Before he could explode, I offered him a serene smile. “There. Now we’re even. I forgive you, Dad.”

That slap was for me. Whatever lingering shred of father-daughter affection remained was severed today. As for my mother’s revenge, that would come when I dismantled the Jones family empire and watched this scum tear each other apart.

The atmosphere was thick with tension. Janice finally broke the silence with a weak, sycophantic laugh. “Now, Zephyra, you shouldn’t have hit your father! That’s so hurtful!” She turned to Steven. “Mr. Lancaster, Martin just wanted to discuss some business with you, but Zephyra kept saying the strangest things and upset him. He only scolded her a little, and look at her! She just can’t take any criticism. Please, let’s all sit down and talk, shall we?”

The conversation was steered back to business. Martin, not wanting to waste this rare opportunity with Steven, swallowed his rage and plastered a smile back on his face. “Mr. Lancaster, I’m not sure if Zephyra mentioned our investment proposal…”

I stood silently beside Steven, letting him handle it. He looked at Martin, a cool, thin smile playing on his lips. “I don’t get involved in the Jones family’s investments. If my wife says to invest, I’ll invest. If she doesn’t, then I won’t.”

The words, a solid, unwavering shield of support, landed with the weight of a gavel.

My heart stuttered. I glanced at Steven. His perfect profile was calm, his tone as casual as if he were discussing what to have for lunch, but my world had just been tilted on its axis. He was being unusually protective today. A statement like that effectively made me the gatekeeper of the Jones family’s finances. Now, no matter how much they hated me, they wouldn’t dare cross me. They would have to suck up to me.

Come to think of it, in my past life, Steven had always been cold to me, especially around his family. But in public, he had a fiercely protective streak. Apart from wanting a divorce for another woman, he had never actively hurt me. He just… didn’t love me. A man like that would make a decent friend, even if he couldn’t be a husband.

He looked down at me, his voice a low murmur. “The matter of the investment can be discussed another day. My grandfather wants to see Zephyra tonight. I’m here to take her to the family estate for dinner. We have to leave now.”

I frowned. So that’s why he was here. His grandfather had sent him.

Martin wasn’t the least bit upset; in fact, a broad smile spread across his face. “Of course, of course! No rush at all. Tomorrow is fine. Dinner with your grandfather is the priority. Zephyra, be on your best behavior. Don’t do anything to upset him, do you understand?”

Janice echoed his sentiments with a cheerful smile. Steven said nothing more. His large, warm hand suddenly closed around mine, and he led me out of the house. I grabbed my waterlogged phone and let him pull me along, the heat from his palm searing my skin, making me feel strangely flustered.