The Heiress Revived from the Ashes (Lauren Bennett) novel Chapter 157

Chapter 157 Punches, Pouts, and Propriety

Felix said, “It’s done.”

Josh’s mood brightened again. “Mr. Brooker, in my eyes, you’re the most handsome man in the world.”

“Keep it down, or you’re going back to the office for overtime.”

Josh quickly covered his mouth, scurrying after Felix

The night was deep, ink–like darkness thickly splattered across the sky. Neon lights flowed over the black Rolls Royce, and as Felix approached, the driver crisply opened the door, bowing slightly with deep respect, waiting for Felix to get in.

Felix, holding Lauren, his crystal cufflinks shimmering in the night, Lauren cuddled in his arms like a weary e

Suddenly, a dark figure tore through the champagne–colored light. The man’s fist, carrying a chilling wind, stopped just inches from Felix’s nose, intercepted by Josh,

The sound of bones misaligning made the man groan in pain, Josh holding him down, immobile.

“Felix!” the man struggled and roared, “We, the Bennetts, have no quarrel with you. Why did you have someone break my parents legs and send my sister to jail? What are you up to?”

Felix narrowed his eyes, finally recognizing the disheveled man as Elliot

Elliot, his suit as crumpled as dried salted vegetables, his hair a mess above his forehead, his face rugged with stubble, looked particularly worn and haggard. Dark circles under his eyes looked as though he’d been punched, his eyes bloodshot

Lauren was startled by the sudden noise; she stirred in Felix’s arms, her long eyelashes trembling, slowly opening her eyes. still blurry and confused from sleep.

When she saw the tense scene before her and realized she was in Felix’s tight embrace, a blush swept over her cheeks, and she said, somewhat embarrassed, “Mr. Brooker, put me down, please

Felix’s arms suddenly emptied. He frowned slightly, displeasure flashing in his deep eyes as he looked coldly at Elliot, the disturber, his gaze icing over.

Elliot, seeing Lauren, first flashed a look of surprise, which quickly vanished, replaced by anger.

He remembered drowning his sorrows in alcohol daily after Lauren’s disappearance, ending up in the hospital with a perforated stomach from excessive drinking

After being discharged, he was wandering aimlessly, tormented by the memory of Lauren’s awards and acceptance letters from prestigious universities cluttering the storage room. He hated himself for ruining Lauren’s life.

Over the past month, he tortured himself, using nearly masochistic means to atone, but he never imagined Lauren had already climbed up high with Felix.

Compared to a month ago, Lauren looked significantly healthier, her cheeks fuller and rosy, dressed in a high–end gown intimately held by Felix–a sight that pained his eyes.

During her disappearance, she must have been quite comfortable, he thought bitterly, while he was left in the dark, worrying like a fool

“Lauren!” His voice was hoarse with emotion, raspy and harsh as sandpaper on rough wood.

“Your parents legs were broken by the Brooker family, and they’re still in the hospital, and here you are with him. Do you even consider us family anymore?”

Lauren looked at Elliot quietly, her gaze as calm as a deep lake, unrippled.

“Family? Did I ever really have one?”

Her voice was soft, yet it dropped like a bomb, echoing through the silent night with a piercing force.