His Regret Arrived Three Days Late novel Chapter 178

Annika returned just in time to see Yazmin furiously berating Zander.

Yazmin’s voice was loud, clearly not caring who heard. In fact, she probably wanted everyone to hear. A low murmur of ridicule spread through the crowd. Zander gritted his teeth. "Yazmin, do you really have no fear of becoming town gossip?"

"What do I have to fear?" Yazmin shot back. "Weren't you and Zoey's affair humiliation enough for me twenty years ago? I'm not afraid of a little more today."

Zander’s fists clenched so tightly his knuckles cracked, but he dared not throw a punch. He knew that if he did, he would pay a heavy price. Twenty years ago, his affair with Zoey had ended with him being cut off from the Beryl family without a penny. Because he was in the wrong, his father had given all the family assets to Yazmin.

Over the years, Zander’s feelings toward Yazmin had soured from initial guilt to resentment, and finally to deep-seated hatred. As of today, he felt he owed this woman nothing. The only reason he still hesitated was because of the two people standing behind her: his father, Zoltan Beryl, and his eldest son, Conrad.

He had sent invitations, but Zoltan hadn't come, and Conrad was a no-show. The two most important people in his life still held a grudge against him, and the thought filled Zander with disappointment.

"Get out of my way," he roared, the veins on his hand bulging.

"Do you think I enjoy clinging to you? Do you think you're some kind of irresistible prize?" Yazmin retorted. "Zander, I have hated you my entire life. I only came to watch you two drowning rats try to claw your way back up."

Yazmin's words finally pushed Zander over the edge. Unable to control his boiling rage, he swung his fist.

In a flash, Annika lunged forward, shoving Yazmin aside with her shoulder. Zander's punch landed on Annika’s face. If she hadn't reacted quickly and turned her head, it would have shattered her cheekbone. As it was, the blow glanced off her cheek, the force of it landing behind her ear, sending a jolt of pain through her.

Yazmin cried for a long time, wiping her tears, sniffling hard, before her attention finally turned to Annika's face. She gently touched Annika's reddened cheek. "Does it hurt?"

"It doesn't hurt," Annika said, shaking her head.

"You're lying," Yazmin insisted.

Annika forced a smile. "Really, it's fine. I turned away, so he didn't get a solid hit."

Yazmin looked away, her gaze drifting toward the direction where Zander had disappeared. "He's always been a cruel man. Annika, if it weren't for you just now, that punch would have landed right on my face. I..." Yazmin was overcome with guilt. "I never should have asked you to come with me."