Chapter 2308


    Kaden visibly bristled at Leighton''s words, taking a full two seconds topose himself before responding, his face contorted with anger. "Who do you think you are? What do you know about her and me?"


    Leighton silently mused, "I couldn''t care less about their dynamic, but if a woman who can handle me is getting bullied by someone else, how embarrassing would that be if it got out? I need to assert myself in front of this domineering guy so she knows I''ve got her back-it''s not that I can''t hold my own against her, but I''m cutting her some ck because she''s a woman."


    Leighton impatiently retorted, "You talk too much! Wrap it up and get lost already. A non-blood-rted big brother hanging around his stepsister''s ce in the dead of night- even if she''s okay with it, I''m not!"


    Since Leighton joined the conversation, Nicole remained silent. She stood there, observing Leighton with a peculiar expression, and even at thest sentence, a hint of amusement flickered in her eyes, tinged with a hint of indulgence.


    Already seething with anger, Kaden''s fury intensified at the sight of Nicole''s expression toward Leighton. His tone turned even colder and harsher." Idiot! You''re just some amusement for her, and yet you think highly of yourself! Surrounded by scandal, everyone else avoids you, but she brings you here to hide out. Do you really think she cares for you? It''s just guilt for causing all this. She knows that this is my way of forcing her toe home. She''s that kind of woman, heartless to the core!"


    Leighton''s expression darkened immediately. He flung his coat to the ground and seized the man''s cor, delivering a solid punch. "So, you''re the troublemaker here! Do I even know you? You piece of crap!"


    He was about tond another blow.


    Leighton, tall and muscr from regr workouts, possessed strength to spare,pletely overpowering Kaden''s frail physique. Nicole promptly intervened, grabbing Leighton''s hand. "That''s enough, stop it!"


    Still simmering with rage, Leighton red at Nicole, growing even angrier." Did you hear what this guy said? Right now, thanks to him, I''m getting hounded by the paparazzi and cursed by the entire inte! Didn''t you hear? n


    "I heard, and..." Nicole paused, her lips pursed. "I also know it was him."


    "Then why are you stopping me?!"


    Nicole hesitated before replying, "I''ll apologize on his behalf andpensate you, but you can''ty a hand on him anymore."


    Leighton looked at her incredulously, his expression briefly turning sour. He stepped back, shooting Nicole a cold look. "Just take it as me meddling then!"


    With that, he turned on his heel and stormed away in anger.


    Nicole averted her gaze, assessing Kaden. "You should get yourself checked at the hospital. He''s young, and he didn''t hold back."Material ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Kaden had a fresh injury on his face, with a hint of blood at the corner of his mouth. He brushed Nicole''s hand away. "This is all your fault!" Then, adopting a haughty stance, he nced at her. "Let''s go. You drive."


    Nicole remained calm. "You can go by yourself or have your assistant apany you. Send me the medical billter, and I''ll reimburse you. My boyfriend has a short temper; I apologize on his behalf."


    Kaden was momentarily taken aback by the mention of "my boyfend." His expression gradually darkened.


    "Nicole! You''re something else!"


    With that, Kaden stormed out, mming the door behind him.


    Nicole stood still for a moment, stooping to retrieve Leighton''s Com discarded coat. She dialed Leighton''s number on her phone, only to hear vibrations emanating from the coat pocket in her hand.


    Setting down her phone, she reached into Leighton''s pocket and retrieved his vibrating phone.


    Nicole exited the room.


    The residential area boasted lush greenery even before the onset of om summer, with dim streetlights making it hard to discern humans from animals from a distance often meters.