?Chapter 271:


    This time, Rachel remained tearless. After everything that had happenedst night, she found herself able to speak these truths withposure and self-respect.


    Yet Brian was not prepared to release her. “Rachel, I’m telling you again,e back to me. You’ll regret it if you don’t.” His warning was almost explicit.


    Rachel stood firm, her lip caught between her teeth, resolved not to yield.


    “Rachel, this is your final opportunity,” he said, his tone teetering on the brink of impatience.


    He then took out his phone and dialed.


    Rachel assumed he was calling assistance.


    Given his control over this domain and the resources at hismand, it made sense he wouldn’t personally handle a situation he could simply delegate with a few calls.


    His approach was typically blunt, forceful, and resolute.


    Yet, in this moment, Rachel didn’t flinch but positioned herself firmly between Brian and Andres.


    “If you want to get to him, over my dead body,” she said resolutely, her stance protective of Andres.


    Brian paused, wondering if he had misheard her.


    He scoffed coldly, his eyes tinged with red, saying, “Am I hearing things? Suddenly, you’re ready to defend another man with such ferocity. What about us? You gave up your feelings for me so easily?”


    Rachel’s response was equally cold.


    “My feelings for you?” Rachelughed bitterly, herugh echoing twice more in the cold air.


    She then said pointedly, “Brian, I gave you everything once, but you didn’t value it. I offered my heart, but you rejected it, calling it wed. You discarded it, flung it to the earth, and even trampled it, pressing it deep into the dirt. Now, it’s been picked up and cherished by someone else. Who do you think it will side with?”


    With those words, she wearily closed her eyes.


    By this time, onlookers had formed a dense circle around them, their presence almost enveloping the scene.


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    The sheer number of spectators was evident from the echoing footsteps alone.


    “I realize I can’tpete with you. If you truly desire my end, then proceed,” Rachel said, her arms spread open, standing boldly and without fear before Andres.


    Her frame was petite and delicate. There was a noticeable height disparity between them; her head barely reached Andres’s chest. Nevertheless, she positioned herself protectively in front of him, using her body as a shield.


    Brian observed the scene, a sharp twinge suddenly piercing his chest. This minor ache quickly spread throughout his chest. It soon became almost unbearable.


    When she talked about breaking up, it didn’t hurt. When she hit him and hurled insults, it didn’t hurt either. Even her derations of lost love hadn’t affected his heart.


    However, at this moment, watching her steadfastly use her body to protect another man—the same arms that used to protect him—he felt a profound emptiness in his chest, as though something precious had been stripped away.


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