Lucius carefully examined Layla's arms, his eyes searching for any sign of injury, while she continued to stare at him in disbelief.
"Don't you think that was an extreme punishment? You can't just break someone's hand like that," Layla remarked, gently pushing his hands away from her arms.
"That was the easiest punishment I gave him," Lucius responded with a possessive edge in his voice. "Roderick has no right to touch my woman," he added, his gaze never leaving hers.
"I have so many questions for you," Layla said, her voice laced with uncertainty.
"Later, at home," Lucius replied, his tone softening. "I have something urgent to attend to, but I promise I'll answer all your questions, Layla." With that, he exited the car, closing the door behind him, while the driver took his seat at the front, ready to depart.
The engine roared to life while she fell into a state of contemplation. 'Why is Lucius so good to me? It feels like he knows a lot about me, but how? He said he was waiting for me to get married.'
Her thoughts ended when the phone in her hand vibrated and she checked it. It was a message from her best friend, Ruby.
"Why aren't you here? You are coming, right?"
Layla quickly glanced at the driver and said. "Please take me to the Flower Book Cafe," she requested.
"I'm sorry, Madam. I have strict instructions from the Master to take you home safely," the driver refused to stop by any place.
"I'll inform Lucius. You won't be scolded. Just go to the book cafe. I promised my friend I would see her," Layla persisted. But this time, she got no response from the driver. "If you won't fulfill my wish, Lucius might get angry at you. So, it's better to take me where I have asked you," Layla tried threatening the driver this time.
"Madam, I apologize. Unless Master Lucius tells me himself, I can't stop at any random place," the driver finally explained to her.
"What?" Layla scoffed to hear that. Again, she had to get permission for everything she would do in her life. She felt trapped as if her freedom was taken away once again.
"Fine. If you don't go there, I'll jump out of this car," Layla said, reaching her hand to the door lock.
The driver panicked and immediately urged her not to do that. "I'll take Madam to the book cafe. Please tell me the address," he almost pleaded.
Layla smiled triumphantly and gave the driver directions. It wasn't long before they arrived at the book café. As the driver opened the door, she stepped out of the car.
Her eyes immediately met Ruby's, who was sitting near the window, staring at her as if she had never seen Layla get out of a car before.
Meanwhile, the driver discreetly tapped the Bluetooth device in his ear. "Master, I couldn't take her home. She threatened to jump out of the car. Yes, I understand." The call disconnected from the other side.
As Layla pushed open the door to the café, Ruby rushed toward her and enveloped her in a tight hug. "How are you? I swear if that old man harmed you in any way, I'll kill him with my bare hands," Ruby fumed.
"I'm fine, Ruby. He didn't do anything to me," Layla reassured her.
"Why did you get married to such an old man and that too, Lucius De Salvo? Everyone runs away from him. Don't you know that?" Ruby asked with a shocked gaze.
"I know. But Dad said if tried running away, Lucius would find me and wouldn't hesitate to kill me. Moreover, it was Lucius who had sent a wedding proposal for me," Layla revealed to her.
"What? He sent a proposal!?" Ruby was stunned to learn that.
"My fate is bad, Ruby. My own mother treated me like trash, and then my father too. They never see me as their daughter, but as someone who is sinned because she was born out of wedlock. Two days ago, Orabela falsely accused me of stealing her gold hairpin and my mother supported her claims. My family made my life miserable and I hate them for this. I just feel like I shouldn't be born."
"Oh, Layla. Don't think like that," Ruby consoled her. "Would you like to drink coffee? Come have a seat first," she said and made Layla sit on the chair near the window before walking away.
Layla looked out of the window and saw the driver had his eyes glued to hers. "Did he send a spy in the guise of a driver?" She murmured.
"Here's your coffee," Ruby set the mug before her and sat down in front of her. "What is Roderick's reaction?" she finally asked.
"He cheated on me with Orabela," Layla said as her eyes turned watery.
"How could he… that bastard. That bitch eyed your man," Ruby cursed them.
"It's not entirely Orabela's fault. Roderick played with my feelings. He chose to cheat on me," Layla said. "But I'll make sure he will get punished for what he did to me," she stated with a burning rage.
"How? You are stuck with Lucius De Salvo. You need to get away from his clutches first. But then, he isn't an easy man to handle. There are many terrible rumors about him," Ruby said with a concerned look, "including how he uses women as pleasure toys. He even has multiple relationships. Layla, how are you going to protect yourself from him?"
"Well, I don't care if he goes out and has fun with other women. I don't even love him, nor do I have any intention to fall in love again. Lucius is the most powerful man in this country. I never thought of having power, wealth, or anything like that except for a peaceful life. However, the moment my family pushed me away, I realized I had no value in their eyes. That's why I need a powerful man like Lucius in my life. If he is the fire, I want to use him to burn all of those who always humiliated me and trampled on my dignity. I will take my revenge for the pain I have undergone all these years. I will take everything from Orabela, including the title of the heiress of the Rosenzweig Family," Layla said with determination in her voice.