Chapter 317 Broken Lines
<b>+10 </b>Free Coins
Ashton kept going. “The video makes it crystal clear. Mathilda was having one of her crazy meltdowns and injured herself. Mrs. Luke was several feet away. There’s no way she could’veid a hand on her. So tell me
are you still going to say she attacked her?”
Crazy? The three Ginger brothers all stiffened at the word.
They didn’t like hearing someone describe Mathilda that way.
But in that moment… none of them had the nerve to snap back at Ashton. Not after they’d just falsely used Lily. Again.
The same Lily who used to follow them around everywhere, looking up to them like they were her whole world.
“Lily, I…” Bodger’s face turned pale as he stumbled back, looking wrecked.
He couldn’t tear his eyes away from the bruises on her neck. They hit him like a gut punch. He wanted to apologize. He wanted things to go back to how they used to be–back when she trusted him.
But his pride got in the way. He’d never been the type to say sorry–especially not to her. And now, he had no idea where to even begin.
Jonah and Sean shifted ufortably too. Their lips parted, like they might say something, but nothing
came out.
They wanted to apologize.
But after years of talking down to her–correcting her, criticizing her, acting like she was always in the wrong–they just couldn’t bring themselves to swallow their pride now.
“I’m sorry…” Mathilda finally spoke up–but her tone said otherwise. She didn’t feel guilty. Not really.
The only thing she regretted was not being careful enough. She hadn’t expected Lily to catch her on video again.
But she didn’t want James–or her brothers–turning against her. So she let the tears roll down, wearing her most convincing, heartbroken expression.
“I didn’t mean it… I just–I just love James so much. I thought if they broke up, I’d have a chance. That’s the only reason I did something so stupid and tried to frame her. I’m not a bad person. Please, don’t hate
me…”
Ashton’s stomach turned. He couldn’t hold it in. The words flew out before he could stop them. “You tried to frame Mrs. Luke to get with Mr. John? Please. He wouldn’t touch you if you were thest woman on Earth
<b>The </b>second the words left his mouth, Ashton realized he might’ve gone too far. That wasn’t just blunt–it was rude. And a liule disrespectful to James, too..
He shot James a nervous nce, then quickly pped a hand over his mouth.
13
+10 Free Coins
Chapter 317 Broken Lines
“Ashton!” Mathilda’s voice cracked as tears spilled down her face.
Since she’d been brought back into the Ginger family, she’d been treated like a princess–absolutely adored. The worst thing that had ever happened to her was the Luke family refusing to force James into marrying her. She’d never been humiliated like this.
And hearing those words–he wouldn’t touch you–it cut deep.
The three Ginger brothers lost it. Ashton had just humiliated their sister in front of everyone. They looked ready to tear him apart.
Even James’s face darkened.
He had no problem with someone calling out Mathilda.
But he didn’t want her name tied to his in any way.
The more he looked at Lily’s bruised neck, the more furious he became. The sight of it made his blood boil. He took Lily’s hand and calmly walked her over to Bodger. His voice turned ice–cold, “Lily, hit him back.
Then, without hesitation, he swung first, punching Bodger so hard that it knocked his face sideways.
“James!” Bodger roared, but before he could move, Lily pped him hard across the face.
Lily had never been the type to let things slide.
Even in the worst situations, if she had a chance to fight back, she would. And with James backing her up? She wasn’t about to hold back.
“Lily!” Bodger stared at her in disbelief. He never thought she’d dare hit him.
He’d always been too proud to take a hit from anyone–and getting pped like that cut deep. But when his eyesnded on the bruises around Lily’s neck, the guilt and regret twisted in his chest. In the end, he just couldn’t bring himself to hit her back.
Lily didn’t stop at just one. She hit him again. And again. She didn’t stop until her own hand was aching from the impact.
Then she turned and walked straight to Mathilda, who was still sniffling like she was the victim. Lily pped her across the face–full force.
“Mathilda, you’ve lost your damn mind. If you’re that desperate for attention, take it somewhere else. Stop dragging your drama to me. Pull this stunt again, and I’ll p you every single time see you.”
James couldn’t stand seeing Lily get hurt–that’s why he told her to hit back.
But now, watching her hand swell and redden with pain, he started to regret it.
<b>He </b>should’ve done it for her.
<b>Last </b><b>time</b><b>, </b>John had grabbed Lily by the throat in the hallway. They called the cops, but he only <b>got </b>held <b>for </b><b>a </b><b>few </b><b>days</b><b>. </b><b>James </b>wasn’t about to waste time like that again<b>. </b>
65%
Chapter 317 Broken Lines
+10 Free Coins
James scooped Lily into his arms, then shot Ashton a look and said coolly, “Call some guys. If Bodger, Jonah, and Sean don’t walk out of here with bruises, forget your year–end bonus. But if they do…. I’ll double
it.”
Double? Ashton lit up like he’d just won the lottery.
His usual year–end bonus was enough to buy a ce in the city.
Double that? That kind of money was life–changing.
No way was he letting that slip through his fingers. Tonight, he was going all in–every trick, every ounce of effort, whatever it took.
James had nned to take Lily to the hospital.
But she refused, worried he’d find out she was pregnant.
He didn’t want to take her back to the Luke family estate either. The marks on her neck would rm his grandmother and the rest of the elders. So instead, he drove her to his private vi outside the city.