Chapter 4

"Ah!" Jessica clutched her face and stumbled back, her hair—usually flawless—now a total mess.

Her eyes were blazing with fury as she glared at the homeless man. "Who do you think you are, you filthy bum? How dare you lay a hand on me?

"Get him! I want him dead!"

The four bodyguards got up off the ground in a hurry and charged towards the vagrant like hungry wolves.

But to my shock, that scrawny-looking guy slipped between them like a shadow, every move ruthless and sharp.

In just a few heartbeats, all four were down for the count, howling in pain and unable to get back up.

Jessica's face went ghostly pale as she shrieked from behind a pillar, "Quick! Somebody get Mr. Quinn!"

She tossed a designer watch to a bystander, and he instantly bowed and rushed out the door to do her bidding.

The homeless man's face grew grim, and he started toward Jessica, menace in every step.

Jessica snapped, her voice shrill and defiant, "Rachel, tell him to back off! If you don't, Samuel will make you pay for this!"

I had already tasted Samuel's cruelty in my old lifetime.

"Stop..." I clutched my clothes, stepping forward to call him off.

But the homeless guy ignored me completely, looking like he was out for blood.

"Ah! Somebody help me!" Jessica shrieked, ducking for cover and running for her life.

Just then, Samuel burst into the café with a squad of bodyguards, looking ready to flip the whole place upside down.

Jessica dove straight into his arms, crying her eyes out and putting on her best damsel-in-distress act. "Samuel, save me! Rachel's trying to kill me!"

Samuel snapped, and his bodyguards instantly tackled the homeless guy, pinning him to the floor.

No matter how good he was, he was still outnumbered.

Samuel shot the homeless man a look of pure contempt, then turned his glare on me. "Rachel, I know you're pissed. But I was the one who called off the engagement. If you've got a problem, take it out on me—why make things hard for Jess?"

I let out a cold laugh and pointed at the shredded invitation on the floor. "Samuel, why don't you take a good look around? Who's really causing trouble here?"

Jessica instantly curled up in Samuel's arms, tears streaming down her face as she whimpered, "Samuel, I really just came here out of kindness, to let Rachel know about our wedding. If she still has feelings for you, I-I'd even let you two keep in touch..."

"Jess!" Samuel's voice shook with emotion. "Why do you have to be so selfless? I promised I'd always be there for you!"

I could hardly believe what I was hearing.

Jessica's ability to turn things upside down was honestly jaw-dropping.

But Samuel bought every word, turning to me with a cold glare. "Rachel, we're done. From now on, stay out of my life."

With that, Samuel moved to support Jessica, ready to leave.

"Ah!" Jessica suddenly whimpered, her legs giving out as she collapsed against him.

Samuel instantly grabbed her, panic in his voice. "Jess! Are you okay? What happened?"

Jessica's gaze flickered toward the homeless man pinned to the floor, her voice soft and delicate as she whispered, "He just bumped into me..."

Samuel's hand went straight to her stomach. "Did he hurt the..."

Jessica quickly shifted away from his touch. "No, really... I'm fine. It's just my ankle, I twisted it a little, that's all..."

Samuel didn't even blink—he swept Jess up into his arms and snapped at his bodyguards, "This filthy beggar dared to mess with my bride! Make him pay—don't hold back!"

Jessica, nestled in Samuel's arms, flashed me a smug, victorious smile.

I rushed forward, blocking the homeless man. "Stop! Samuel, you're the CEO of Quinn Group—how can you be so ruthless?"

Samuel narrowed his eyes. "You're actually going to go against me for some homeless bum?"

I stood my ground. "Not today. I don't care who he is—you're not hurting him, not while I'm here!"

"Fine! Perfect!" Samuel laughed darkly, his rage barely contained. "The more you try to shield him, the more I'll make him suffer!"

With that, he grabbed a chair and brought it crashing down toward the homeless guy's head!

Just as the chair was about to hit, a figure suddenly stepped in front of the homeless guy and caught it with one hand—barely breaking a sweat.

Before anyone could react, a squad of SWAT officers stormed into the café, their gear flashing cold and deadly under the lights.

"Mr. Quinn, are you really going to kill someone right here in public?"