Chapter 1313

Estella's cries sharpened, terror filling her eyes as she clung to Roxanne's shoulder. Roxanne instinctively pulled Estella into her embrace and spun around, ready to defend her. However, only a muffled thud followed. The expected pain never came. Several seconds passed before Roxanne slowly lifted her head, glancing towards Aubree.

To Roxanne's surprise, Lucian held Aubree's hand—the hand that had moments before held the ashtray, now lying on the floor. A whirlwind of emotions flickered across Aubree's face: initial rage aimed at Roxanne, swiftly replaced by terror directed at Lucian.

"You crazy woman!" Lucian's voice boomed. His grip on Aubree's wrist was vise-like, threatening to crush her bones. Aubree finally snapped back to reality. Suppressing a cry of pain, she apologized frantically, "I—I don't know what's wrong with me. Forgive me, Lucian. Lucian—"

Before she could finish, Lucian shoved her away. Aubree stumbled, collapsing pathetically to the ground. "I swear I won't do it again. Please forgive me..." she pleaded, ignoring the throbbing in her body.

"Forgive you? So you can attack the people I care about again? Aubree Pearson, you deserve to die for everything you've done." Lucian's voice was glacial.

Aubree, shuddering, backed away, her gaze falling on Sonya. "Mrs. Farwell, please help me..." She knew Sonya had always liked her.

Seeing Aubree's audacity in begging for help, Sonya rose to her feet and retorted, "I don't know a more vicious woman!" She cast a worried look at her granddaughter before turning back to Aubree. "I always thought Essie disliked you because you two didn't spend enough time together. I never imagined you'd treat her this way behind our backs. You're unbelievable, Aubree!"

The thought of Estella's suffering pierced Sonya's heart. How dare this woman still beg for mercy? she thought.

"From today onward, the marriage contract between the Farwell and Pearson families is null and void. I repaid Old Mr. Pearson's favor long ago," Lucian declared, his gaze icy as he fixed the Pearsons. "From now on, the Pearson Group is an enemy of the Farwell Group!"

Samuel could bear it no longer. He lunged forward, aiming to grab Lucian's arm, but Cayden swiftly intercepted him. Defeated, Samuel stood his ground, pleading earnestly, "Please don't do this, Lucian. Back then, my father—" He tried to invoke his father's past service to Lucian.

"Old Mr. Pearson's favor was repaid when Aubree attacked Roxanne! I've said this before. I won't let her off the hook if she dares to harass my loved ones again!" Lucian's glare was hostile.

Samuel's heart sank, despair clouding his eyes.

Lucian turned to Estella, still crying, and Roxanne, who comforted her patiently. The sight only fueled his anger. The nerve of her to hurt the people I care about!

He approached Aubree, his gaze condescending. "Since you won't apologize, I'll handle this myself."