Nichs took a long stride and was instantly beside Pete. His fist narrowly missed Pete''s face as he pulled me away.


    "Don''t drag my wife into your nonsense!"


    Nichs didn''t hit Pete, but thetter''s temper red up immediately. He punched Nichs in the chest.


    "Nick, I treat you like my brother, but don''t push it! I knew Ariana before she even knew who you were!" Nichs was already in a bad mood, and getting hit by Pete only worsened his frustration. I was surprised to see someone like Nichs engaging in a street fight. He delivered a swift kick, catching Pete off guard and making him stumble back several steps.


    Pete, baring his teeth, lunged at Nichs andnded a punch on his face. Though the punchcked strength, it was enough to ignite Nichs'' fury.


    He looked at me with an expression that seemed to say he wanted to devour me. His tongue pressed against his cheek where he had been hit, and his eyes were filled with anger.


    He started unbuttoning his suit jacket, and I felt a pang of fear. Was he going to get serious?


    I quickly stepped in front of Pete, shielding him like a mother hen. "Nichs, that''s enough."


    Pete was no match for Nichs. I knew his capabilities well. When he was younger, he never won fights against the school bullies, and I was the one who secretly bought medicine for his bruises.


    He couldn''tpare to Nichs, who had a habit of working out.


    "Move aside!" Nichsmanded, standing tall and looking disdainful.


    "Ms. Ari, go wait for me in the car. I''m definitely taking you home today! He must have gotten his head stuck in a door!" Pete pushed me away and got serious too.


    Just as he finished speaking, Nichs threw a punch, which Pete narrowly dodged. Seizing the opportunity, I quickly ran back between them, and Nichs'' punch came dangerously close to my face.


    The force of the punch blew my loose hair aside. I instinctively shut my eyes tight, and my legs turned to jelly.


    Pete rushed over to support me and shouted, "If you dare hit a woman, I''ll never speak to you again!"


    "If I wanted to hit her, she''d already be on the ground."


    Nichs grabbed my wrist with one hand and chopped Pete''s arm with the other, pulling me back into his embrace.


    knocked my head when I was pulled into his arms, and I saw stars. When I opened my eyes, I looked dazedly at his sharp jawline andughed.


    "Mr. Hawk, should I thank you for showing mercy?"


    Nichs ignored me and turned to Pete, who was standing behind us. "You should go. My family wants. me to take her home."


    It was a half-


    hearted exnation at best. Pete had no choice but to stand there, confused and helpless. Nichs then dragged me to the car in a few quick strides, and I didn''t resist. Since his family wanted me to go back, it was a good chance for me to see their attitude toward the situ Maybe today was the perfect day to announce my divorce from him.


    Just as I was about to open the car door, he pped his hand on the car window to stop me. The next second, I felt hisrge hand encircle my waist, and my chin was lifted. His kiss came without warning.


    The faint taste of tobo filled my mouth as he pried my lips open. I was pressed against the car door, and my hands, which I had raised to shield myself, were pinned by his hands and lifted over my head in a smooth arc.


    I was in a daze for quite a while. My first thought was that he had smoked today. Was he upset because of something involving udia?Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.


    His kiss wasn''t gentle or affectionate. It was filled with aggressive anger, devoid of any tenderness. Despite the soft exploration of his lips and tongue, it felt as if my mouth was gradually being tainted by the taste of iron.