?Chapter 3064:


    But her hand shook, and the phone slipped, ttering to the pavement.


    She froze, panic surging through her, and bent quickly to grab it, but one of the men was faster.


    He snatched it up, nced at the screen, and chuckled cruelly. “Calling mom for help? What are you, twelve?”


    Anotherughed. “No ‘mom’ here, sweetheart—but you can call me Daddy if you like.”


    “No! Stop it!” Elissa cried, backing up until her shoulder hit the wall.


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    The men closed in.


    “What do you want? My dad is powerful—you’ll regret this!”


    “Oh really?” one mocked, reaching out to pinch her chin.


    “Ah!” Her eyes widened as his fingers brushed her skin.


    “So soft,” he murmured with a smirk.


    “I want a turn too…” another jeered.


    That was the scene Ernest walked into.


    Rage ignited in his chest, burning through him like wildfire. Without a word, he advanced—his tall frame casting a shadow over them.


    He seized the man’s wrist that was touching Elissa and tightened his grip.


    Crack!


    The sickening crack of bones grinding echoed, immediately followed by a piercing scream.


    “Ah!”


    “What the—ah!”


    The others lunged, but Ernest’s face remained eerily calm. With a single, fluid motion, he seized the first man and mmed him aside.


    “Ah!”


    Another scream tore through the air.


    The pain was unbearable—bones broken, bodies copsing.


    Ernest’s gaze shifted to thest man standing. His voice was ice. “Do you want to try?”


    “No—no, man, I’m good!”


    Ernest’s presence radiated pure menace, his demeanor enough to send shivers down their spines.


    The man stumbled back, face pale, before fleeing without checking on his friends.


    The others crawled after him, limping and groaning.


    Ernest let them go. He didn’t care.


    He turned immediately to Elissa.


    “Elissa?” he said softly, his voice breaking with concern.


    “Y-yes?” Elissa answered faintly, eyes ssy.


    Seeing him, the tension in her body unraveled.


    A flood of relief and terror washed over her, leaving her trembling.


    “Elissa.” Ernest opened his arms and drew her close, holding her against his chest.


    “I’m sorry,” he murmured, voice trembling. “I came toote.”


    Elissa leaned into him, tears slipping silently down her cheeks.


    Suddenly, she gripped his coat tightly, clinging to him as if he were her only anchor in the world.


    Her slender frame quivered, trembling with fear and relief.


    Then came the sob—a broken, muffled sound.


    “It’s alright,” Ernest whispered, brushing his lips against her forehead. “Let it out.”


    It was far better than bottling it up.


    He stood still, letting her cry into his chest.


    When her sobs quieted, he took off his jacket and wrapped it gently around her shoulders, covering the torn fabric of her dress.


    “You can’t go home like this. Come with me, alright?”


    Elissa blinked at him, dazed and lost.


    Ernest coaxed softly, “Your clothes are torn, and your eyes are swollen. Your mother will panic if she sees you like this, won’t she?”


    “You…” she whispered, trembling as her fingers tightened on hispel. “Will you… take care of me?”


    “Of course,” he replied, his voice low and husky as he met her gaze.


    “But didn’t you see me… as a burden?”


    At her words, Ernest’s chest constricted—pain sharp and real.


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