Rachel had always known Howard had thick skin. Aside from coming from a powerful family with plenty of people backing him, the guy had zero decency. He was basically a rich, arrogant lowlife.

Truth be told, she really had no way to deal with him. As a woman, she wasn’t strong enough to take him on physically. The Lloyd family didn’t dare cross him either.

That didn’t mean she was going to let this slide.

With Howard standing there, smug and untouchable, practically radiating that cocky thug energy, Rachel wanted nothing more than to slap that grin right off his face.

Seeing no one dared to say a word, Howard got even more brazen.

“Rachel, you really ought to think about marrying me: Just imagine, we’d be family, and the Lloyds would rise right up with the Zieglers. Sounds like a win–win, doesn’t it?”

This time, Rachel didn’t hold back. She spat on the ground. “Howard, you really think just because the Ziegler family runs wild in Yurelia City that every woman wants to marry you? Let me make it clear right here, right now. Even if I end up divorced and desperate, I still wouldn’t consider you!”

Her words stung. In all his life, no one had ever dared talk to Howard like that, especially not in front of so many people.

His expression turned dark. “Rachel, are you seriously talking to me like that? What, you’d rather throw yourself at someone like Tyler, huh?”

He was like a dog off its leash now. He was completely out of control.

“What, did he rock your world in bed or something? Now you think you’re too good for the rest of us? Do you even know the relationship between him and William? And you’re dumb enough to get in the middle of that mess? I’m telling you, Tyler is William’s-”

Before he could finish, he was kicked hard from behind. Howard hit the floor like a sack of bricks.

“What the hell?” he roared. “Who just kicked me?”

“Your daddy,” a man’s voice replied.

Howard scrambled to his feet and whipped around. It was Tyler. His furious glare instantly turned into a wicked grin. “I knew it. Only you would have the balls to lay a hand on me in this whole damn city. Tyler, you really are something else!”

Tyler tilted his neck. His fists were clenched tight enough to crack his knuckles. That devil–may–care smirk appeared on his face.

“Oh, I’ve got the balls, all right. But I don’t think you do!”

With that, Tyler lunged toward him again. His fist sailed through the air and cracked Howard in the jaw.

Howard had tried to brace for it, but it didn’t help. The punch knocked him off balance, making him stumble back a few steps.

He licked the inside of his cheek and spat blood on the ground.

“Damn it, Tyler. That’s the second time you’ve hit me over this chick. Must’ve been one hell of a ride.” He was completely unhinged now and not even trying to hold back. “When you’re done with her, pass her along to your buddy here, won’t you? Why keep all the fun to yourself?”

Tyler stood over Howard in his black suit. He looked aggressive despite his smile. “Who do you think you are? ‘Buddy‘? I don’t have friends like you.”

“Tyler!” Howard snarled. “You lay a hand on me again, and I swear Gerald’s going to beat you up worse than last time! Have those bruises healed already? Are you itching for more?”

Tyler’s eyes narrowed. His dangerously handsome face had an even more sinister grin now. “Thanks for the reminder. Since Gerald is going to beat me up anyway, I might as well make sure you’re worth the punishment.”