Awakened Housewife Ignore Betrayer's Begs (Scarlett) novel Chapter 261

Chapter 261 An Unwelcome Advance Thwarted

Instead of letting go, Caleb tightened his grip and tried to pull her closer, his other hand moving to encircle her waist.

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Seeing his intentions turn physical, Scarlett shouted, “Caleb, what the hell do you think you’re doing?”

Caleb shed any pretense of civility, his expression turning ugly. “What does it matter? Vincent doesn’t want you. That body of yours is going to waste. Why not let me have a little fun? I’ll even marry you once you’re divorced. How’s that for a deal?”

He yanked her against him, leaning down to hiss the disgusting proposal directly into her ear.

Scarlett jerked her head back, glaring at him with pure venom. “You sick bastard, let me go!”

Caleb wasn’t offended; he actually chuckled. “And what are you going to do about it?”

Without a second thought, Scarlett drove her knee upward toward his groin. He reacted quickly, blocking the strike with his thigh, and her attempt to incapacitate him failed.

The fact that she fought back seemed to extinguish the last of his amusement. His eyes turned cold. “Scarlett, have I been too gentle with you?” he snarled, his hand moving to claw at the neckline of her blouse.

Just then, a furious shout cut through the night. “Caleb! You’ve got some nerve putting your hands on a woman under Damian’s protection. You looking to get buried?”

It was Zachary’s voice.

Before the words had fully faded, Zachary was already striding over from behind Scarlett. He didn’t waste time on conversation.

As soon as he was within reach, his fist shot out, connecting solidly with Caleb’s jaw.

The impact snapped Caleb’s head to the side. A trickle of blood immediately seeped from the corner of his mouth.

Caleb clutched his bleeding lip, shooting a murderous glare at Zachary. “I’ll touch whoever I want. Who are you to stop me?”

Zachary moved swiftly, placing himself squarely between Caleb and Scarlett. He stared the other man down. “Go ahead. Try touching her again, Don’t think that just because your pathetic little company is cozy with Vincent and that prick Daniel, you’re untouchable. Damian could crush your business like a bug without breaking a sweat. You think you’re in her league?”

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The words sent a visible chill through Caleb. In this city, the business world was essentially divided between two spheres of influence–one centered around Vincent, the other around Damian.

Caleb had managed to ingratiate himself with Vincent’s circle, but that didn’t grant him immunity from the other side. Crossing Damian was a completely different game.

Zachary’s threat hit home, and fear flickered behind Caleb’s bravado.

Still, he tried to salvage some pride. “We’ll see about that, Zachary. Maybe one day you’ll be the one coming to me for a favor.”

Zachary scoffed, his disdain palpable. “Come to you? Don’t make me laugh.”

Knowing he was outmatched and out–powered, Caleb had no choice but to retreat. He shot them one last hateful look before slinking away into the shadows, nursing his injured pride along with his bleeding mouth. In this world, without real power, you learned to swallow your anger and disappear.

Once Caleb was gone, Zachary turned to Scarlett, his demeanor shifting instantly to one of concern. “Scarlett, are you alright?”

Scarlett shook her head, though she was still visibly shaken. “I’m fine,” she managed to say.

Zachary noticed her red–rimmed eyes. He didn’t know the source of her earlier distress and didn’t feel it was his place to pry. Instead, he offered, “Let me drive you home.”

Scarlett gave him a grateful look. “Thank you, but I drove myself. I can get back.”

Zachary clearly wasn’t satisfied with that. “Then I’ll follow you in my car. I’ll leave once I see you’re safely inside.”

Scarlett started to protest, but Zachary cut her off gently. “Come on, don’t argue with me on this.”

She finally nodded in weary acceptance.

*****

After tailing Scarlett’s car all the way to Theron Manor and watching her front door close behind her, Zachary’s phone rang. It was Damian.

An impatient voice came through the line. “Where are you? You’re late.”

“Got held up,” Zachary replied vaguely.

“By what?” Damian pressed.

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“I’ll tell you when I get there,” Zachary said, a hint of drama in his tone.

Ten minutes later, Zachary walked into the private room of the upscale lounge. Damian and Felix were already there, the only occupants in the softly lit space.

Zachary dropped onto the plush sofa, plucked a few grapes from the fruit platter on the table, and popped one into his mouth. He chewed slowly, his eyes settling on Damian, who sat across from him looking sullen.

“I just saw Scarlett,” Zachary said casually.

Damian, who had been studying the ice in his glass, looked up sharply. “Where?”

“In a park near Ravenshade Villa,” Zachary answered.

“Oh,” Damian said, trying to sound nonchalant and looking away again.

Seeing right through the act, Zachary continued, “She didn’t look too good. Pretty upset, actually.”

Damian’s hand tightened subtly around his glass. He shrugged, aiming for indifference. “She’s not upset because of me. Don’t bring me her problems.”

Zachary knew Damian was all talk. He swallowed the last grape. “Caleb was bothering her. Got a bit handsy. Looked like she’d been crying, too.”

The effect was immediate. Damian was on his feet in an instant, his expression turning to ice. Without a single word, he strode out of the room, the door swinging shut behind him.

Watching him go, Zachary couldn’t help but laugh softly and shake his head. He called out to the empty space Damian had just vacated, “Yeah, I knew it. Tough exterior, soft heart. That’s gotta sting, doesn’t it?”

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