The group exchanged wary glances, but none of them had the guts to cross Beck. Reluctantly, they
fetched the keys and unlocked the cage. Beck gently lifted Maja out, lightly tapping her cheek. “Maja?
Maja?” But Maja didn’t stir. She had been holding her breath too long and had passed out from lack of
oxygen. Beck laid her down flat on the deck and pinched her philtrum urgently. Noticing the boat was
still idle, he barked another command. “Row us back to shore, now!” The crew scrambled to paddle
back. Once they reached the dock, Beck scooped up Maja, intending to rush her to the hospital. The
rumble of Ian’s chopper settling in the backyard had even drawn the attention of Dylan and Judith from
inside the house. Dylan stepped out first, his brow furrowing at the sight of Ian. He hadn’t yet settled his
score with Ian, and here he was, showing up uninvited! But Ian paid him no mind and instead strode
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇttowards Beck. He took Maja in his arms, holding her tight, not sparing a glance for anyone else as he
walked straight into the mansion. Dylan was livid. This was his turf, what was Ian playing at? “Stop right
there!” Before his words could echo, Beck’s fist came crashing in, sending Dylan’s head snapping to
the side, blood trailing from his lips. Not just his lips—his mouth tasted of iron as well. Dylan felt
something loosen and spat out a tooth. He was stunned. It was the first time Beck had ever struck him.
Dylan and Beck had been close since childhood, always avoiding physical fights, especially since
Dylan had always indulged his younger sibling. To Dylan, Beck had always been akin to an elder. But
now, without a word, Beck had swung at him, and Dylan didn’t know how to react. He didn’t fight back.
Beck, shaking with fury, grabbed Dylan’s collar. “Dylan!” he roared, too angry to form any more words.
Dylan snapped out of his daze at the sound of his voice and finally raised his hand to wipe the blood
from his mouth. After a few seconds of hesitation, he asked, “Is this because Ian hit me?” Beck’s grip
on Dylan’s collar tightened, the veins on his hands bulging. His lips trembled, choked with emotion,
unable to speak. Another punch flew, this one even more forceful. Dylan was knocked to the ground.
Judith gasped, moving to help, but Beck viciously kicked her in the stomach. Beck never hit women,
but today he was breaking his own rules. This kick was far more powerful than the punches. Judith
crashed against the glass door, shattering it, shards embedding in her skin. She started to cry, looking
to Dylan. “Ow, Dylan, it hurts so much, it really hurts.”
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Dylan wiped the blood from his lips again, his eyes cold as he watched Beck. “Have you lost your
mind?” Beck clenched his fists, noticing Ian had no interest in them, already inside the villa with Maja,
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmand about to leave through the front door. Beck didn’t know how to explain himself; he just wanted to
check on Maja. Without a word, he followed Ian’s path into the mansion. Dylan sat there, feeling
betrayed by his brother who had not only rashly rescued Maja but had also struck him. Judith’s hysteria
escalated; just moments ago, she was secretly celebrating, and now she felt like she’d been doused
with ice water. How could Maja have been rescued? Dammit, Beck! If she had known he’d be such a
nuisance, she would have gotten rid of him from the start! Judith trembled with anger, spitting out
another mouthful of blood. “Ow, Dylan, it hurts so bad. Has Beck lost it? Why did he hit you? Was he
out of mind because of Ian?” Dylan tasted bitterness in his mouth but still went to her, helping her to her
feet. “He’s probably just hot-headed. I’ll have him come apologize to you later.” “But Dylan, Maja’s been
rescued, and I can’t stand it. Why is the person who made me suffer still alive? Why?” She collapsed to
the floor, crying, her eyes red with hatred. Dylan felt distracted, the bitterness from Beck’s punches
lingering in his heart.