Nirupama looked puzzled, but tactfully didn’t inquire further, “When do you need it?”


    “Next month,” Vivian stated the wedding date.


    It was a tight schedule, but for Luzia’s wedding, Nirupama agreed, “I will do my best.”


    “Thank you, Nirupama,” Luzia embraced Nirupama, expressing her gratitude.


    While Nirupama was taking measurements for Luzia, Vivian nned to take Luzia shopping and find some entertainment.


    Of course, Vivian was not very familiar with Houston, the ces she knew best were the ones Luzia had taken her to. Now it was her turn to take Luzia to find some joy.


    Vivian chuckled self-deprecatingly and pulled out her phone to book a beauty treatment for Luzia. Of course, limited to facial treatment only, as she was not ready to undress in front of a masseuse.


    Just as Vivian was selecting a suitable package, the ss door of the bridal shop was violently pushed open, the bell at the door rang frantically, startling even Nirupama.


    She looked up from her measuring notebook, screaming as she looked at the two tall men who had suddenly barged in, “Who are you?”


    Nirupama rushed out like a mother hen to stand in front of Luzia, but her protection was feeble, so Mare stepped in front of her and pulled out his gun, “Get out!”


    The two men were tall and strong, standing together like mountains. They were both dressed in ck suits and white shirts, expressionless and unafraid as they stared down the barrel of Mare’s gun.


    Soon, their gaze passed beyond Mare and fell on Luzia at the back.


    One of them said, “We are Mr. Joseph’s bodyguards, here to take Miss Luzia home at hismand.”


    Just hearing Joseph’s name made Luzia tremble uncontrobly.


    Vivian looked at her anxiously, lightly squeezing her shoulder to help her rx.


    Mare tightened his grip on his gun, “I can’t verify your identity.”


    The bodyguard frowned, “Miss Luzia has seen us.”


    This person was not wrong, Luzia had indeed seen them. It wasst night when Joseph barged into her room and assaulted her, they had stopped her parents and stood guard outside her room the whole night.


    Luzia was certain, all her crying, screaming, and pleading fromst night, they had heard it all, but no one could save her.


    Just like now, she had to go with them, to Joseph’s side, to ept her fate.


    Luzia was about to confirm their identity when Mare threw his gun, tensing his muscles and clenching his fists, pouncing like a fierce lion, his fistnding with a heavy thud.


    The scene immediately descended into chaos, three women involuntarily screamed, expressing their maximum shock and horror at this sudden physical altercation.


    Vivian hadn’t expected Mare to be so fierce. Nervously and excitedly, she clenched her fists, egging Mare on. It was impossible for her to hit Joseph, and she didn’t dare. But taking it out on Joseph’s bodyguards was a satisfying outlet.


    At the same time, Vivian was very aware of the reason for Mare’s sudden outburst. She nced sideways at Luzia, who looked tense and worried, and her heart sank.


    Luzia and Mare…


    She lowered her eyes sadly.


    With a loud crash, one of the men twisted the ss door into a tangled mess with a kick, Nirupama’s scream almost pierced the eardrums of everyone present, and the entire bridal shop was thrown into chaos.


    Finally, Simpson personally brought people to stop them. In the scuffle, Simpson identally took a punch, and his mouth quickly swelled.


    He angrily pulled out his MPT-12, stabbing the palm of one of the bodyguards, and the pig-like screams ended this chaotic melee.


    “You need to reflect on this, Mare,” Simpson wiped his mouth, the sharp pain making him hiss, “jos will demand you pay the price.”


    Simpson stared coldly at Mare, as if trying to see the regret after the impulse from Mare’s face, but Mare, with an expressionless face, epted Simpson’s scrutiny, “Yes.”


    “Perhaps our Capo needs to talk to Joseph again, about how to restrain his henchmen from running amok in Houston like mad dogs,” Simpson said, not allowing the two bodyguards to take Luzia away, “My dear cousin, would you honor me with your presence for dinner?”


    “Of course,” Luzia wiped away her tears.


    Simpson couldn’t stop Joseph from taking Luzia away, the dinner was just a dy, after jos and Joseph finished their business and came over, Luzia still had to leave with Joseph.


    The night wind made Vivian shiver, she watched the car carrying Joseph and Luzia disappear into the night, her worry for Luzia weighing heavily on her heart.


    “Why didn’t you stop him?” Vivian questioned jos.


    “No one can stop him from taking his fiancee.” Facing Vivian’s inquiry, jos sounded weary as he pinched the bridge of his nose, “It’s his right.”


    “Is a man’s right to violently assault his fiancee?” Vivian’s eyes reddened, “Why can’t you look at the injuries on her body?”


    “This has nothing to do with us, Vivian,” jos said.


    “What?” Vivian looked at him in disbelief, “But she’s Luzia, she’s your cousin!”


    “And then what? Can it change anything?” jos’ face darkened, his tone growing heavier as he spoke to Vivian, “Their wedding is in a month. My interference would only make things worse. If there are any changes to the wedding because of it, it would be a disaster for the cooperation between Houston and Los Angeles. It would be a war between two cities, do you understand, Vivian?”N?velDrama.Org owns this text.


    “No…”


    “Put away your ridiculous sympathy, you can’t do anything,” jos angrily ushered Vivian into the car, and Diego drove them back to the apartment.


    Haylee had already returned home, Luzia wouldn’t being back here, and the apartment felt empty.


    Vivian wearily slipped off her round-toe ts, no longer attempting to argue with jos, and she changed into slippers before heading upstairs.


    She took off her chiffon blouse and jeans, then walked into the bathroom bare, turning on the shower.


    She needed a hot, soothing shower to rx her muscles and dispel the chill creeping from her bones.


    Blinking her tired, sore eyes in the warm water, she tasted the saltiness  why was the water salty?


    Vivian realized she was hungry again.


    Stepping out of the bathroom, Vivian heard her stomach growl  despite having eaten dinner not long ago.


    Lately, she always felt hungry, her appetite increasing at mealtimes, and she found herself snackingte at night. She felt sure her weight had increased.


    Was she really pregnant?


    Vivian felt the need to confirm as soon as possible, but it would have to wait until Joseph returned to Los Angeles.


    Vivian had a hunch that she had to keep her pregnancy a secret from Joseph.


    Vivian went downstairs to look for something to eat, finding both jos and Mare absent, with only Simpson rummaging through the medicine cab in the living room.


    At the sight of Vivian, Simpson breathed a sigh of relief, “Just in time, help me with this ointment.”


    “But your hand isn’t injured.”