"Let go! Joseph, you're disgusting!"

Aurora struggled to break free, but his grip was too strong, pain searing through her wrist.

Meanwhile, hiding in the shadows, Chuck quietly stepped out, discreetly pulling out his phone, ready to record the scene. That's right—Joseph hadn't come alone tonight.

He had already arranged for Chuck to capture the perfect footage, something that would be enough to ruin Aurora completely. He was determined to make sure Aurora had no way to talk her way out of this.

"I'm going to let everyone at Walton Corporation see you for what you really are, Aurora. This is what happens when you cross me!" Joseph's voice was nearly unhinged as he reached for her collar, attempting to tear it open.

But before he could even get a proper grip, a powerful kick sent him flying backward.

The next moment, a broad suit jacket was draped over Aurora's shoulders.

Still shaken, she found herself pulled into the protective embrace of Lucas.

"You okay?"

His deep voice cut through the tension, grounding her.

Aurora clenched her fists, her icy gaze locking onto Joseph, struggling to suppress the urge to strike back.

Joseph staggered to his feet, looking utterly disheveled.

But when he finally got a clear look at Lucas' face, his smugness faltered.

He had always assumed that after leaving him, Aurora couldn't possibly find someone better.

Yet now, standing before him was Lucas—impeccably dressed, exuding an aura of effortless power and refinement.

Even without saying a word, just his presence alone was enough to turn heads.

For some reason, Joseph felt a strange sense of familiarity as he looked at him.

He racked his brain, trying to recall where he had seen this face before.

A wealthy widow's boy toy, perhaps?

Joseph sneered, his lips curling in mockery as his confidence returned.

"Hah. Here I thought you latched onto some big shot but turns out you're just keeping a pretty boy. Aurora, does your sugar daddy know you're messing around behind his back?"

His voice dripped with scorn as his contemptuous gaze swept over Lucas.

Joseph, convinced of his own superiority, straightened his posture, completely disregarding Lucas' piercing gaze as he strode toward Aurora.

"You think a kept man like you has the right to stand in front of me?"

Aurora instinctively raised her hand, ready to strike, but Lucas gently patted the back of her hand.

"You don't need to," he said coolly.

Before Joseph could even react, Lucas's fist shot out, landing a precise, brutal punch right on his face.

A sharp cry of pain rang out.

Joseph collapsed onto the ground, the impact so strong that his lip split open, blood trickling down his cheek—a sight that was immensely satisfying to watch.

Not far away, Chuck immediately realized the situation had turned bad. Seeing Joseph get beaten so mercilessly, he took the opportunity to slip away unnoticed.

Lucas cast a cold glance in Chuck's direction before slowly stepping toward Joseph, his presence alone exuding crushing dominance.

"You have no idea who you're messing with," Joseph spat, wiping the blood from his lips. "Do you think you can lay a hand on me and-"

Before he could finish his sentence, Lucas' fist struck again, cutting him off mid-word and sending him reeling.

Aurora stood at the side, watching the scene unfold with immense satisfaction.

This was exactly what he deserved.

The underground parking lot echoed with Joseph's agonized cries, one after another.

Lucas' punches were swift and merciless, drawing blood with every blow.

Soon, Joseph was sprawled on the ground, clutching his head in pain, unable to utter another word.

Lucas straightened, looking down at him with an icy smirk.

"Next time you come looking for trouble, it won't end this easily."

Despite his battered state, Joseph clenched his fists tightly, seething with rage.

Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out his phone and called the police.

"You bastard, do you even know who I am? You think you can get away with this? Let's see how you like spending a night in a cell!"