Chapter 78


    Josefina leaned in close while Camden and Jaxon exchanged a knowing nce and strode ahead.


    Jaxon reached out, intending to dunk Josefina into the vat of dye. His face twisted into a snarl, his


    eyes zing with the arrogance of a predator about to strike. Camden''s hand mped down on


    Josefina''s arm, fearing she might break free.


    As both men stared each other down, ready to push Josefina into the vat, the tables turned


    dramatically. A wicked grin curled at the corner of Josefina''s lips. She stomped down on Jaxon''s


    foot and delivered a swift back kick to Camden''s groin.


    "Josie!"


    Oliver arrived just in time to see someone going after her. He picked up speed, leaping into the air


    andnding a solid kick on Jaxon''s back, sending him tumbling into the vat.


    Camden tried to seize the moment to push Josefina in, but Oliver caught his hand. The snap of


    bone was followed by Camden''s howls of pain as Oliver twisted his other hand, snapping it with a


    decisive crack.


    Josefina watched Oliver''s swift and ruthless actions in utter shock. Thinking she was terrified, Oliver


    pulled her into his embrace, his arms a haven of warmth. "Shh, don''t be scared," he soothed, his


    voice a steadyfort in her ear.


    Josefina instinctively looked up at him, first meeting Oliver''s strong jawline. When he lowered his


    eyes to meet hers, she felt an inexplicable sense of safety wash over her. "How did you get here?"


    "You said you were at the textile factory and thought I''d pick you up for dinner," he exined, the


    concern clear in his voice. What he hadn''t expected was to walk into a scene right out of a crime


    drama.N?velDrama.Org content.


    "Are you alright? Hurt anywhere? Does your hand hurt?" Oliver carefully examined her hands.


    Josefina gripped hisrger hand in hers. "I''m fine. You showed up just in time. You saved me." She


    wondered if Oliver had seen her fight back and if he knew she could handle herself. Hopefully, he


    would still think she was a damsel in distress.


    Meeting her bright, clear eyes, Oliver chuckled. "Don''t look at me like that, my princess."


    Blushing, Josefina dropped her gaze as the sound of sshing water came from behind. Camden


    and Jaxon climbed out of the vat, their clothes a mess of color, unrecognizable even to their own


    mothers. They sat defeated on the ground, too exhausted to retaliate.


    "Josie, let me take you home, and I''ll have Asher deal with this mess," Oliver said, taking her hand.


    She nodded, ready to call the cops and cooperate with the investigation to put these men behind


    bars. As they turned to leave, Jaxon staggered to his feet, grabbed a bottle from the corner, and


    hurled it at Josefina.


    "Josie, watch out!" Without hesitation, Oliver pulled her into his embrace, shielding her delicate


    body with his own.


    The bottle shattered against Oliver, and Josefina caught the faint, acrid scent. It was sulfuric acid!


    Asher burst in from outside, promptly stopping Camden and Jaxon in their tracks.


    Josefina''s eyes reddened with fear. "Oliver, let me see your back."


    He waved her off. "No need to worry. I''ll get it treated at the hospital."


    "We don''t have time for the hospital!"


    Josefina dragged Oliver towards the faucet on the ground.


    Thankfully, there was a clean water supply. She quickly hooked up the hose. "Oliver, you need to


    take off your clothes. Sulfuric acid burns need to be rinsed with water."


    She turned the faucet on, and water sprayed out. As she spun around, she bumped into Oliver''s


    solid chest. Looking up, she was confronted with his exposed, muscr torso, and her heart


    thumped wildly in her chest.