Chapter 3

Yohana put on her fake caring face, her voice oozing false concern. "Vivian, you really should just come clean. If you push Logan too far, even I won't be able to help you."

I shot her a glare, not holding back at all. "Cut the act. Stop pretending you're the sweet, understanding little angel."

Then, out of the blue, Logan's hand came down hard, his slap burning across my cheek. "Shut up!" he shouted.

He glared at me with fury. "You cheated on me, and yet you still have the nerve to talk to Yohana like that?"

I hadn't seen it coming, and the force of the slap made my cheek swell instantly.

Ellie's eyes filled with tears as she saw me get hit. Without a second thought, she charged at Logan, fists swinging. "Don't you dare hit my mom!"

Logan snatched Ellie by the collar, lifting her clean off the ground.

My heart leapt into my throat. "Logan, let her go!" I shouted.

The servants rushed forward, trying to pull Ellie away from him. "Sir, please put her down. If Julian finds out about this, he won't let it go!"

Everyone in the Quinn family knew how much Julian adored Ellie. She was his little princess, and he'd do anything to protect her.

But Logan just sneered, his face twisted with contempt. "If you don't want to lose your jobs, then get out of my way. I'm going to teach them a lesson."

My heart was hammering in my chest. I could barely hold back my anger and panic. "Logan, what do you want?"

His expression turned frighteningly cold, a chilling aura pouring off him. "Legally speaking, you cheated on me and even had a kid. I could kick you out with nothing and sue you for damages."

My hands were shaking with anger. "Logan, I was never even married to you. How could I have possibly cheated? Let go of my daughter!"

Ellie kicked her legs defiantly in the air with not a trace of fear on her face.

Everyone around us looked worried, but no one dared to step in, not with Logan's threats hanging over their heads.

Logan gave me a lingering, malicious glare. "Once I'm finished dealing with this child, I'll be coming for you next."

With that, he strode out of the room with Ellie.

The people surrounding us exchanged anxious looks, but nobody tried to stop him.

At that crucial moment, the butler stepped up and blocked Logan's path.

Logan's face turned pitch black. "Oh? You really have the nerve to stand in my way?"

The butler hurriedly wiped cold sweat from his forehead, doing his best to sound respectful. "Sir, please, don't be impulsive. Put Ellie down."

Seizing the moment, I lunged toward Ellie, only to be grabbed by Yohana from behind.

Yohana flashed a triumphant smile, her voice thick with sarcasm. "What are you up to? Don't tell me you're thinking of hurting yourself."

Fury exploded in my chest. Without hesitation, I slapped her hard across the face. "If anything happens to my daughter, you and Logan will wish you'd never been born!"

Yohana tumbled backward, her head slamming against the cabinet. Instantly, blood streamed from the fresh cut on her forehead.

Logan's eyes went red with fury. "You actually dare hurt Yohana? I'll end this bastard right here!"

With that, he hoisted Ellie high above his head, about to slam her to the floor.

Ellie broke out into hysterical sobs.

My heart felt like it stopped cold. Instinct took over. I dove forward and wrapped Ellie in a fierce, protective embrace.

Logan shouted at me with anger. "Go away! I'll deal with you in a minute."

I clung to Ellie for dear life, holding onto her with everything I had, no matter how hard Logan tried to yank me away.

Finally, Logan lost his patience. He let loose a vicious kick right to my chest.

Pain exploded across my chest, and for a split second, I couldn't breathe at all.

The butler and maid rushed up, trying to grab him, but he tossed them aside.

"Sir, please stop! She's Julian's wife!" the butler yelled.

He wrapped himself around Logan's leg, determined to hold him back no matter what.

Logan was still struggling wildly, hell-bent on kicking me again.

Just then, a furious voice cut through the chaos.

"Logan, what do you think you're doing?"

Logan, lost in his rage, didn't even hear it.

But the butler's face lit up with relief. He quickly let go of Logan. "Mr. Julian Quinn is back!"

Julian strode in and took a look at me. I was disheveled, clutching Ellie protectively.

His gaze grew stormy as he swept his eyes around.