Chapter 15: Fiercely Protective

Evelyn sidestepped, and the woman's hand never even brushed her sleeve before it slapped against the wall.

Thud!

A painting fell off its hook, and the frame crashed down onto the influencer's high heels.

"Aaaah!" she screamed in pain.

Guests nearby all turned to stare.

At that moment, Evelyn's phone rang.

It was Lucian.

"Hello!" she answered, short on patience. If she hadn't come here today, she wouldn't have run into this swarm of flies.

So annoying!

Lucian could tell she was in a bad mood.

He was in a bad mood too. He was starving, and he was waiting for his savior.

"Have you arrived?" he asked.

"I'm here. I'm in the lobby on the first floor, being attacked by a pack of rabid dogs. I could really use a big stick. If you bring me one, I can get away," Evelyn said coldly.

The influencers erupted again. They glared at her as if they wanted to swallow her whole.

"Where's the manager?! Is nobody here? She's deliberately causing trouble! Aren't you going to do something?!"

Lucian sensed that Evelyn's situation sounded dicey.

He was about to say more, but she hung up.

He frowned.

Of course I won't stand by while my wife in name gets bullied.

He made a call.

By now, Evelyn was ringed by influencers.

Their perfume was so thick it made her nose ache.

Then the Aurelia Court's manager arrived with a team of security guards to restore order.

He looked helpless. It was peak lunch hour, and everyone who dined here was someone important. He didn't dare offend any of them.

Least of all these influencers. One careless post online could ruin the restaurant's reputation.

Tabitha, relying on her numbers and her status, ordered him arrogantly, "Get this witch out of here!"

The manager looked at Evelyn.

He didn't recognize her and assumed she was just an ordinary customer. He was about to speak.

Just then, a staff member rushed over and whispered a few words in his ear.

The manager's expression changed drastically.

He hurried straight up to Evelyn.

The influencers were thrilled. They were about to watch her humiliate herself.

Some even pulled out their phones to record it.

Evelyn clenched her fists, ready to argue with the manager.

That pack of snake-faced demons started it. They only have themselves to blame!

With every eye in the room fixed on them, the manager did something no one expected.

He bowed to Evelyn, a full ninety degrees.

"Honored guest, we sincerely apologize for your unpleasant experience. We will remove these disruptive patrons at once!"

The whole lobby went silent.

No one had imagined the Aurelia Court would take Evelyn's side.

The influencers exploded. "Are you stupid?! Do you know who we are?!"

"That woman has no standing in the Hart family at all. She's just a country bumpkin!"

"I'm warning you, apologize to us right now and throw her out, or I'll expose this place online for terrible service!"

The influencer with the hurt foot ranted loudest.

But the manager said, expressionless, "You're being disruptive and spoiling the dining experience of our other guests. As of now, you are blacklisted from this restaurant."

"Not only the Aurelia Court. None of our group's other fine-dining restaurants will serve you again."

"Security, escort this group out!"

"Yes, sir!" The guards moved in and began shoving the influencers toward the door.

The influencers were horrified.

They were courted everywhere they went. Tabitha most of all, since she was a true socialite and an heiress.

Being thrown out of the Aurelia Court in front of her friends was a humiliation.

And the cause was the person she hated most.

Tabitha couldn't take it anymore. She hurled her phone at Evelyn!

Evelyn was quick and dodged it easily.

But someone darted out of the crowd, grabbed a clear glass vase of water and flowers, and flung it at her!

She had just avoided one attack when another came. This time she wasn't watching, and the vase was about to hit her and drench her.

In that instant, a dark figure swept in behind her. With lightning speed, he kicked the vase back!

It struck Tabitha square in the stomach.

Water burst everywhere, soaking her dress and leaving her a dripping, disheveled mess.

Evelyn burst out laughing at the sight.

"Nice shot! Thank you!" she called to the man who had stepped in.

She assumed he was a guard. But when he turned around, she saw a familiar face.

It was Lucian.

"Oh, so you finally showed up with the big stick! Thanks." Evelyn was a little surprised, but she thanked him anyway.

Lucian's expression soured. He did not care for the nickname "Big Stick."

He had waited upstairs for a while, but he couldn't shake his unease. So he'd come down quietly to check.

This woman has a sharp tongue and good skills. And still she ended up at a disadvantage.

Thank goodness I arrived in time.

Tabitha went deathly pale after taking that kick.

Then she cursed with no restraint at all. "Evelyn Hart! I was wondering how you had the nerve to defy me after Damien dumped you. Turns out you've found yourself a new sugar daddy!"

"Does Young Lord Ashford know you're cheating on him?! You shameless woman! Just wait until I tell the Ashfords, you..."

She never finished.

The manager had a guard hurriedly muffle her mouth.

In Silverhaven, the Ashford family held absolute authority.

They were a super-powerful clan whose name alone commanded respect.

This influencer was spreading rumors and stirring up trouble, and he couldn't let her drag the Aurelia Court down with her.

The manager had no idea who the distinguished guest in front of him really was. He only knew he was a powerful, mysterious super VIP.

"We apologize for disturbing your meal. As a gesture of regret, all of your bills today are on us," the manager said, bowing again.

When Evelyn heard she could eat for free, her eyes lit up, and the corners of her mouth curled upward.

She had no more time for Tabitha and her crowd. She said straight to Lucian, "Let's go eat! Ignore them!"

Lucian refused, his voice cold. "This isn't over."

A group that bullied my wife will not be let off easily.