Sophia looked shocked. Innocent and naive didn’t seem like adjectives to describe her. It almost


    sounded as if Jávier were talking about someone else entirely, perhaps Jasper’s mother, Anne Bartley.


    His description irked her.


    Without missing a beat, Javier pressed on, “You don’t appear to be in need of protection. Even without


    me around, you seem determined to achieve your goals by any means and exact revenge on those you


    hate.”


    A furrow formed on his forehead, and his gaze darkened.


    Javier added, “Consider this your final warning. I hope you behave yourself and don’t hurt the innocent.


    Do not give our family more trouble. If you don’t listen, I will have no choice but to send you abroad, far


    away from the drama in Sna City.”


    Sophia trembled in rage when she heard Javier threatening to send her away.


    She barked, “Javier Beckett, what was that? Are you dumping me now? Do you want to turn me into a


    divorcee, all because of Alyssa Taylor’s baseless ims? Or do you have feelings for Winston Taylor’s


    woman? Is that why you unleash your anger on me and try to get rid of me so that you’ll get to marry a


    new woman?” 1


    “What on earth are you talking about?” Javier rasped.


    He was consumed by rage.


    “Oh, I hit the mark, didn’t I? Feeling guilty now?” Sophia straightened, casting a resentful re at him.”


    Rumors were circting on TS Network about you and L when she worked there. People imed


    you actively supported her career and wanted to be her sugar daddy!”


    Javier’s shoulders tensed as he silently clenched his fists.


    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    Sophia used, “L Nelson is your dream, and I’m merely a stand-in. Isn’t that right?”


    Finally, she had vocalized the thoughts that had long festered within her. It was a cathartic release,


    leaving her both refreshed and infuriated.


    She added, “L would have been Mrs. Beckett if she hadn’t tarnished her image with drug use. It


    wouldn’t have been me!”


    “Enough!” Javier snapped, his veins pulsating.


    “Hmph. If you loved her and wanted to protect her, you should have stepped in when she embarrassed


    because you were a coward.


    “You were terrified of damaging your reputation as the head of the Beckett Group. You failed to protect


    her in the past, so why do it now? Is it to make up for your past failures?”


    Thoroughly provoked, Javier growled, “Sophia Kirkman, shut up!”


    She snickered in disdain and taunted, “Your son is infatuated with a woman who isn’t his, and his father


    is no different. It seems both Beckett men are enchanted by the Taylor women.”


    Unable to control his anger, Javier pped her in the face. Sophia felt her eardrum was about to


    rupture again. Tears rolled down her cheeks as she stared at him hatefully.


    Realizing what he had done, he stood there in shock and curled his numb fingers. For the first time in


    his life, he had physically assaulted a woman. He had been raised to treat women with utmost respect,


    yet he couldn’t restrain himself due to Sophia’s audacious behavior. 1


    “How could you hit me?” Crying hysterically, she leaped from the bed and ran barefoot toward the


    balcony, threatening to off herself. “What’s the point of living? I should just die right now!”


    Wide-eyed, Javier yelled, “Somebody, help!”


    The secretary and the bodyguards rushed in from outside and fearfully pinned down Sophia like she


    was a suspect.


    Sophia cried her lungs out. She looked like a total mess with her tear-stained face.


    With a heavy heart, Javier instructed, “Arrange for two maids to take turns looking after Madam. The


    rest of you guard her door 24/7. You’ll be held ountable if anything happens to her.”