Chapter 43

"Screw you!" Severin raged. He tolerated insults aimed at himself, but calling his daughter a bastard child was unforgivable.

He instantly kicked Edward in the stomach, sending him sprawling.

"Ack!" Edward spat out blood, his shocked expression suggesting disbelief at being attacked by someone he apparently considered a "loser."

"Why can't you control yourself, Severin?" Diane exclaimed, horrified. She knew Edward's family's status—a second-tier upper-class family—and Severin's reaction would only exacerbate the situation, though she shared her daughter's anger at Edward's words.

"Honey, I can tolerate a lot, but that son-of-a-bitch calling Selene a bastard is not one of them!" Severin snapped.

"Why are you all just standing there? Beat him up!" Edward, struggling to rise, viciously ordered his bodyguards.

"Mom, I'm scared!" Selene, frightened, instantly hugged Diane's leg. Severin regretted his outburst, seeing his daughter's fear. Violence felt good, but terrifying his daughter was not ideal.

However, the four bodyguards already attacked. Their trained stance and blows were unmistakable. Severin fought back, delivering a rapid series of punches that sent all four crashing to the ground before they could land a blow.

"Arghh!" The bodyguards writhed, clutching their chests.

"Get up, you losers! I told you to beat him up!" Edward yelled, retreating in fear at Severin's skill.

"Sir, I… I think my ribs are broken!" one bodyguard winced, rising.

The others echoed his complaint.

"F*ck this!" Edward was speechless. His martial artist bodyguards had been utterly defeated by one man.

"All right, kid. Just you wait. This isn't over!" Humiliated, he stormed off with his men.

Diane stood behind Severin, seemingly stunned by his fighting prowess. She hadn't expected him to be so capable.

"Yay! Dad won! Isn't that awesome, Mom?" Selene's fear vanished, replaced by joy. She leaped and clapped as Edward and his men fled.

Severin gently lifted Selene and kissed her face. "Weren't you scared, Selene?"

"I was scared they'd beat you up, but you were so strong, Dad! Those bad guys were no match for you!" she said innocently.

Relieved, Severin asked, "Great. Want to be as strong as me someday?"

"Yeah!"

Severin smiled. "All right. When you're older, I'll teach you to punch, hone your inner energy, and become super-powerful! Want that?"

"Yay! I can't wait! I want to be just as strong as you next time!" Selene's happiness was evident.

Diane rolled her eyes. "Of all the things to teach her, you choose fighting? And 'hone your inner energy'? You've read too many novels!"

Severin laughed. "Haha! That dress looks beautiful on you! Try some others!" He turned to a fearful Bree. "Could you bring the other dresses? My wife wants to try them on too!"