Sophia looked shocked. Innocent and naive didnât seem like adjectives to describe her. It almost sounded as if Jávier were talking about someone else entirely, perhaps Jasperâs mother, Anne Bartley.
His description irked her.
Without missing a beat, Javier pressed on, âYou donât 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.â
A furrow formed on his forehead, and his gaze darkened.
Javier added, âConsider this your final warning. I hope you behave yourself and donât hurt the innocent.
Do not give our family more trouble. If you donât listen, I will have no choice but to send you abroad, far away from the drama in Solana City.â
Sophia trembled in rage when she heard Javier threatening to send her away.
She barked, âJavier Beckett, what was that? Are you dumping me now? Do you want to turn me into a divorcee, all because of Alyssa Taylorâs baseless claims? Or do you have feelings for Winston Taylorâs woman? Is that why you unleash your anger on me and try to get rid of me so that youâll get to marry a new woman?â 1 âWhat on earth are you talking about?â Javier rasped.
He was consumed by rage.
âOh, I hit the mark, didnât I? Feeling guilty now?â Sophia straightened, casting a resentful glare at him.â
Rumors were circulating on TS Network about you and Lyla when she worked there. People claimed you actively supported her career and wanted to be her sugar daddy!â
Javierâs shoulders tensed as he silently clenched his fists.
Sophia accused, âLyla Nelson is your dream, and Iâm merely a stand-in. Isnât that right?â
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, âLyla would have been Mrs. Beckett if she hadnât tarnished her image with drug use. It wouldnât have been me!â
âEnough!â Javier snapped, his veins pulsating.
âHmph. If you loved her and wanted to protect her, you should have stepped in when she embarrassed because you were a coward.
âYou 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?â
Thoroughly provoked, Javier growled, âSophia Kirkman, shut up!â
She snickered in disdain and taunted, âYour son is infatuated with a woman who isnât his, and his father is no different. It seems both Beckett men are enchanted by the Taylor women.â
Unable to control his anger, Javier slapped 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 couldnât restrain himself due to Sophiaâs audacious behavior. 1 âHow could you hit me?â Crying hysterically, she leaped from the bed and ran barefoot toward the balcony, threatening to off herself. âWhatâs the point of living? I should just die right now!â
Wide-eyed, Javier yelled, âSomebody, help!â
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, âArrange for two maids to take turns looking after Madam. The rest of you guard her door 24/7. Youâll be held accountable if anything happens to her.â