Chapter 2

In Scarlett's Perspective:

My heart started to tremble, and the scene before me became increasingly blurred.

I seemed unable to control my limbs, and my body stiffened all over.

Help! Can someone save me? Am I going to die?

"Scarlett, stop pretending. It's just a bump on the head. It's not that serious," Alexander nudged my body with his foot and said, "I'm not going to feel sorry for you even if you try to fake being hurt and in a coma."

I couldn't see anything but just felt Alexander's rough shoe nudging my back.

Just as I was about to lose consciousness, a pleasant fragrance wafted into my nostrils.

The person where the scent came from gently bent down and embraced me.

This familiar scent gradually brought my consciousness back. It's a faint woody aroma that was reassuring.

I opened my eyes to see the person, struggling to take a deep breath before making a sound.

"Uncle."

It was Lucas Bennett, my mother's younger brother, and my uncle.

He was the ruler of this city, the feared leader of the Bennett family.

I was raised by him.

There shouldn't be anyone who didn't know Lucas.

He was the rumored king of Mafia and a ruthless devil.

"What happened?" Lucas moved my hair to the side, revealing the wound, and used his shirt to wipe away the blood.

My once bright red hair tips had become dull because of the bloodstains.

Lucas's shirts were all high-end with soft and skin-friendly textures.

After wiping the blood from my face, I could finally see the scene before me. I leaned against Lucas's chest, and he looked at me worriedly.

Lucas's dark green eyes sparkled like gems, shining brightly in that moment.

On the other side, those bastards were staring at me in horror.

"Is that the Lucas from the Bennett family?" A man in a seat muttered quietly.

Although his voice was low, the room was so quiet that even breathing could be heard, so his words were clearly audible.

Lucas silently looked up, and the man immediately shut up.

"How did you know Lucas?" Isabella covered her mouth, looking completely shocked.

Isabella didn't know about my relationship with Lucas, nor my mother, so her surprise was understandable.

This remark made the atmosphere in the room even more delicate. They must be scared out of their wits.

"It's all right. Don't worry." Lucas silently picked me up, stroking my head to comfort me.

At this moment, everything that had just happened flooded back into my mind like a tide.

I couldn't control my emotions. I didn't even know why a sense of grief and sadness engulfed my mind instantly. My tears blurred my vision again. I opened my mouth but couldn't say anything.

I prayed inwardly, 'Stop talking, Lucas. Please.'

I shook my head slowly, but the pain made me frown.

Lucas didn't say anything more; he just wiped my tears with his rough thumb.

That was the hand he used to hold a gun, the finger that pulled the trigger.

He helped me sit on a nearby chair, looking at my wound silently.

"You don't know when to stop, do you?" After a while, Lucas stood up and said angrily, "You haven't inherited any power from your family, yet you're already so arrogant."

His suit was stained with my blood, a patch of red spreading on his white shirt.

Alexander and Isabella were terrified. Their eyes were filled with scare as they looked at Lucas.

"It's not like that," Alexander stammered, "I just accidentally bumped into her."

Even I wouldn't believe his nonsense, let alone Lucas. If he had just lightly pushed me, how could I have been so seriously injured?

"Then the new collaboration between the Bennett family and the Cole family is now canceled." Lucas ignored Alexander's explanation, his face still expressionless.

Lucas always seemed cold, except when he was around me.

"You can't do that, Lucas. I really didn't mean to. I can apologize to you, please." Alexander's face looked distraught. He kept apologizing and explaining in panic.

Alexander was on the verge of tears, saying everything he could think of.

If there weren't so many people watching, he might have knelt to beg Lucas.

Although Alexander was his family's heir, he was young and had not been involved in the family business.

If he messed up the collaboration with the Bennett family, the biggest family of the Mafia, he would likely face severe punishment or even be kicked out of the family.

If that happened, Alexander would be in big trouble.

"I really didn't mean to hurt her. If you don't believe me, you can ask Scarlett." Alexander suddenly changed his target, looking at me.

What does he mean by this? Does he want me to plead for him? What a joke!

Both Lucas and I ignored him, but Alexander didn't stop.

"Scarlett, say something! I didn't mean to hurt you, did I?" Alexander probably thought I hadn't heard him and reached out to grab my sleeve. " Explain it for me!"

What an annoying guy.

I shrank back behind Lucas to keep my distance from Alexander.

He almost killed me, and now he wants me to plead for him. Not a chance!

Just as I was about to refuse him, Lucas slapped him. The words I was about to say got stuck in my throat.

The forceful slap shocked Alexander, leaving a red handprint on his face.

Time seemed to freeze at this moment.

It took Alexander a long time to react, with his other cheek also blushing.

He probably wanted to say something, but due to Lucas's power, he didn't dare to say it.

This slap may make Alexander feel embarrassed for quite some time.

After all, being publicly slapped by Lucas and not being able to fight back would be quite humbling.

But would this humiliation provoke Alexander to react in anger?

What if he really retaliated against Lucas without considering the consequences?

"Uncle," I tugged at Lucas's suit jacket and said, "Don't do that."

If the collaboration between the Bennett family and the Cole family were affected because of me, it would not be worth the candle.

I couldn't let these small matters bring Lucas unnecessary trouble.

He had already helped me so much over the years.

He provided me with the family affection I lacked and always supported my education.

I couldn't create problems for him; I had to consider his situation. If this partnership were terminated, the Bennett family would also experience significant losses.

Lucas felt me pulling on his sleeve and immediately turned to look at me, then leaned down to listen.

He always seemed to know what I wanted to do.

"Stop it. This matter..." I gripped Lucas's jacket tightly, barely supporting my shaky body.

Just as I was about to tell him to stop, my vision went black.