Hearing the voice, Aurora turned her head and locked eyes with Joseph’s dark, twisted expression. Her face immediately darkened. “Let go of me, you lunatic!”

“Let go?”

Joseph’s grip tightened as he growled through clenched teeth, “You’re not leaving until you give me a damn good explanation!”

Aurora winced, her red lips parting in pain.

“Who is this? Where did he come from?” Lucy’s heart clenched at the scene.

Seeing Aurora being treated like that, she instinctively looked around for help.

Joseph barked furiously, “Tell me, have you been playing me all along? Laughing at me behind my back? Am I just a joke to you? Is that what you’ve been getting off on?”

Aurora let out a cold laugh, still struggling to wrench her wrist free. “You seem to forget—I’m the star of tonight’s show.”

“And as for what you are… you’re right. A joke. A pathetic clown jumping around for everyone’s amusement. What more can you do but flail?”

“You…!”

Driven over the edge, Joseph raised his hand, drunk and fuming, ready to strike her.

Smack!

The slap rang out, but it didn’t land on Aurora.

It was Lucas who delivered the blow, his hand coming down hard across Joseph’s face.

In the same breath, he pulled Aurora behind him, shielding her, his fingers lacing tightly with hers.

Aurora looked at his back and, for the first time all night, felt a sense of peace.

“So, this is what counts as proper upbringing in the Hunt family?” Lucas’ voice rang out, cool and cutting. “Laying hands on a woman in front of a crowd–real impressive, Joseph. Truly admirable.”

His words struck a chord.

Around them, people began to murmur, their eyes filled with scorn as they turned on Joseph.

Chapter 136

Tessa watched Lucas with visible annoyance.

Why did he have to show up right on time?

She’d been hoping to watch Aurora and Joseph tear into each other.

If they caused enough of a scene, Grace would surely start doubting whether Aurora was fit to take over as general manager.

Joseph stood frozen, his cheek stinging, face twisted in fury.

Gone was the polished, handsome young man–what remained was a bitter, ugly mess.

“And who the hell do you think you are?” he snarled at Lucas.

“You think you can slap me and get away with it? You’re just a nobody with a pretty face–who the hell gave you the guts?”

Lucas arched a brow, unbothered and calm. “What, do I need to check a calendar before hitting you?”

Aurora let out a soft laugh, genuinely surprised by his unexpected wit.

“You smug bastard–what’s that supposed to mean?” Joseph shouted, livid. “If you still want to have a future in Ravenshore, you’d better get on your knees and apologize!”

A sharp glint flashed in Lucas’ eyes. “Really? I defend my wife, and you think I should apologize to the one trying to hurt her?”

“Sounds to me like Hunt Enterprises is on the decline–no one’s even noticed their heir has lost his mind.”

Joseph, who had been dazed from the alcohol, suddenly snapped into clarity the moment Lucas said the word wife.

“What did you just say?” He stared hard at Lucas, trying to catch any hint of a lie.

“Did you just call her your wife?”

Lucas didn’t even flinch. “Yes. So, watch your mouth. We’re legally married. If you keep harassing her, I’ll see you at the police station.”

He pulled Aurora closer by the waist, standing protectively at her side.

The two of them, simply standing there, were the picture of a perfect couple.

They were strikingly good-looking, impossible to ignore.

Chapter 136

And with looks like theirs–both at the top of the scale–they were nothing short of breathtaking.