Chapter 810:
The whispers rose instantly. Curious stares, disdainful glances—every pair of eyes turned on Stella.
Her face paled. A crushing wave of humiliation threatened to drown her, but she clenched her fists, forcing herself to stay upright. Shameless. That was all Amon was—shameless and vile.
“Relax, I’m just messing with you.” His smirk deepened, satisfaction glinting in his eyes. He snatched a brightly colored cocktail off a passing tray and tried to shove it into her hand.
“Here, have a drink. Give me some face.” He leaned closer, practically forcing the glass on her.
Just as Amon’s fingers were about to brush against Stella’s hand, a sharp crack split the air. The cocktail glass slipped from his grasp, crashing to the floor and shattering into glittering shards. Sticky liquid splashed across Stella’s dress. He had unconsciously dropped the glass as Stella’s palm landed hard across his face.
Stella flexed her stinging palm, her cold gaze locked on him. “If you’re looking for fun, you picked the wrong person. I don’t care who you are—watch your mouth, or you’ll pay the price.”
For a heartbeat, time froze. The chatter in the hall died instantly. Amon’s friends gawked, their faces a mix of shock and disbelief, staring at Stella.
Amon himself stood stunned, clutching his swelling cheek, disbelief etched across his face. “You… you dare hit me?”
Never in his life had anyone laid a hand on him. Not even William—William only ever warned him with words.
He was a Briggs. His family stood on equal footing with the Carters. In Choria, he was untouchable. And yet Stella dared slap him in public.
“Speaking so rudely and acting so full of yourself deserves more than a slap. Consider this the lightest punishment for your arrogance.” Stella’s training with Rita had given her strength beyond the average girl, and Amon’s cheek still stung from the blow.
The onlookers shifted from shock to amusement, curious to see how Amon would respond to a woman bold enough to strike him.
Surrounded by his friends, Amon refused to appear weak, and he lifted his hand to strike back.
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Right before the slap could land, a firm grip clamped around his wrist, halting him mid-motion.
The instant his wrist was caught, darkness flickered in Amon’s eyes. He swung his gaze toward the one bold enough to stop him, and there stood Lance, shielding Stella with his broad frame.
Lance stood tall, his presence like an unshakable wall that hid Stella completely from sight.
Glaring down at the arrogant Amon, he shoved the man’s hand aside. “Mr. Briggs, we invited you here out of courtesy. If that means nothing to you, then feel free to leave.”
Amon arched a brow and cast a glance at Stella from behind Lance’s shoulder. “So, Mr. Carter, you’re willing to challenge the Briggs family on behalf of Ms. Russell?”
A sharp snort escaped Lance. “Stella may not have reclaimed her surname yet, but she’s my cousin and part of the Carter family. More importantly, you were the one who showed disrespect first. And tell me, do you really think you alone are qualified to speak for the Briggs family in negotiations with me?”
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