Just as Rachel’s palm was about to land on Howard’s face, Jim’s hand shot out to grab her wrist.

Rachel was shaking with fury. Usually calm and easygoing, she was ready to strike. It was like every sharp edge she had was suddenly out in full force.

Jim looked at her and said, “Rachel, calm down. Mr. Ziegler was just joking.”

Rachel’s eyes were bloodshot, and her lips trembled with fury. She shot Jim a sharp glance. “Joke or not, I won’t let anyone insult my mother.”

Yvette, shocked to see Rachel actually lash out, didn’t dare step forward. She whispered to Sasha beside her, “Has Rachel lost her mind? She actually answered back to Howard. Does she even realize what she’s doing? If we offend him, our whole family’s finished.”

Sasha knew that if Howard got angry and complained to Gerald, the entire Lloyd family could be wiped out. The good days she’d finally started to enjoy would all be destroyed by Rachel.

She tightened the shawl around her shoulders and quickly stepped forward. She tugged at Rachel’s sleeve.

“Rachel, hurry and apologize to Mr. Ziegler. He was just making small talk, and he didn’t really say anything about your mother. Why are you making such a big deal out of it?”

Rachel seemed completely deaf to her words. Her icy gaze remained fixed on Howard.

Sasha grew more anxious. If this couldn’t be smoothed over, and they really provoked Howard, he wouldn’t just come after Rachel. He’d take down the entire Lloyd family with her.

‘This damned troublemaker,’ Sasha thought.

She tried again, this time with a heavy, lecturing tone. “Still not apologizing? If this doesn’t blow over today, who’s going to shoulder the consequences when you drag the entire Lloyd family down with you? The Lloyd family raised you all these years. If you don’t want to help, fine, but don’t bring disaster upon us.”

Rachel stood firm. She truly couldn’t understand how they could all be siding with the offender. Everyone was blaming her. Did they expect her to apologize to Howard? On what grounds?

Rachel pointed at Howard. Her gaze was steady, and her voice was unwavering. “He’s the one who should apologize, not me.”

Howard let out a sarcastic chuckle. He was clearly amused. Not only did he not apologize, but he became even more arrogant. He scoffed disdainfully, his hands in his pockets.

“Rachel, this is why I like you. You’ve got quite the temper, but your dad and stepmom aren’t wrong. If the Ziegler family wanted to crush the Lloyd family, we could do it with ease. And you like William, don’t you? Too bad. Do you think William can protect you?”

Rachel stood tall with her back straight. Her words came slowly and firmly. “I don’t need anyone to protect me. But today, Howard, if you don’t apologize, you’re not leaving this house.”

Jim was practically panicking. He knew Rachel’s temper better than anyone. She could tolerate almost anything, but the moment someone brought up her mother, she turned into someone else entirely.

Not even Gerald could calm her down then.

Instead of backing off, Howard raised a brow in amusement at her declaration. “Oh? Is that so? Then I’d really like to see what you’re going to do. Are you planning to tie me up and drag me to bed, Rachel?”

Rachel clenched her fists so tightly her knuckles turned white.

Jim, though his face was twisted with embarrassment and fury at Howard’s words, knew the truth. No one here could do anything.

Even the Lewis family couldn’t keep Howard in check. How could a small-time family like the Lloyds possibly stand up to someone like him?