?Chapter 180:


    Lydia knocked another man to the floor before turning around, ready to face Theo, the most difficult opponent of all. But she stopped in her tracks as Elena struck Theo’s head with a bottle, delivering a final blow. There was a loud crash, and two streams of blood started to pour down Theo’s head.


    Theo froze for a moment and then snapped back to reality, his face twisting with fury. “Why are you all just standing around? Grab her!”


    “Who are you trying to capture?” A deep voice echoed, forcing the crowd to naturally divide, clearing a path for the approaching figure.


    Wesley, upon arrival, paid no care to his wounded brother. His attention was fixated on Elena, particrly on the minor cuts littered with ss fragments on the back of her hand.


    The loud chaos that filled the scene vanished in an instant, reced byplete silence.


    The thugs gave way, and the manager approached quickly, greeting, “Mr. Spencer!”


    Lydia raised an eyebrow and whispered to Elena, “Is that Wesley? He certainly seems to fit the look.”


    Elena withdrew her eyes.


    Theo, unease across his face as he saw Wesley, found a surge of defiance and said, pointing at Elena, “She was the one who started it. Just look at my hand and my head. This is all her doing! I have to end her today.”


    Caught up in his intensity, Theo identally tugged at his injury and flinched in pain. He added, “Wesley, stay out of this. It’s none of your business.”


    Wesley, casually lighting a cigarette, replied with an air of indifference, “Empire is under my protection, and so is she.”


    At that moment, a heavy silence enveloped the room.


    Felix’s eyes widened in disbelief. Not even the fast car ride had prepared him for the shock of Wesley’s words.


    Having stood by Wesley’s side for many years, Felix had never witnessed him showing such fierce protectiveness toward a woman. Wesley was always assertive and straightforward. Yet, Felix was still utterly taken aback by his words.


    Felix’s view of Elena changed, now carried with a newfound respect. He quickly realized that, moving forward, he would have to treat her with much more reverence.


    Both the manager of Empire and those around who knew Wesley were equally taken by surprise.


    “Rumor has it that Wesley isn’t interested in women. So, what’s this defensive stance toward a woman about?”


    “It looks like the hearts of all the’s young women are about to break. Wesley has someone special now!”


    “No way! Wesley likes a woman? That’s impossible. He must have chosen to defend that woman in a fit of fury after learning Theo has stirred trouble at Empire!”


    “Exactly. Theo and Wesley are half-siblings, and they’ve never been close. Wesley must be using this as a chance to teach Theo a lesson by iming that woman is his.”


    As Elena listened, her brow furrowed. What were they all assuming? Wesley hadn’t dered her as his woman. He had only said that he was in control of her circumstances. But that wasn’t right, either. Since when did Wesley have control over her life?


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