Chapter 1066:
The woman was unmistakably Shari, her college friend.
Shock flashed across Linsey’s features. Without a moment’s hesitation, she sprang into action. Spotting a janitor who stood frozen, watching the horrific scene, she swiftly snatched the mop from their grip.
“Hey! What the hell do you think you’re doing with my mop?” the janitor shouted, bewildered and indignant.
Both hands wrapped around the handle, Linsey raised the mop like a weapon. The instant the brute turned his head in her direction, she brought it down with devastating force, driving the filthy mop head directly into his startled face.
Completely blindsided, the man stumbled backward, crashing into the wall behind him before collapsing to the floor with a pained groan. “Ow!” A wave of shocked gasps swept through the crowd as onlookers witnessed the sudden turn of events.
While the brute was still writhing on the floor in pain, too stunned to retaliate, Linsey maintained her firm grip on the mop, prepared to strike again if necessary. Simultaneously, she gently helped Shari to her feet. “Easy now, take it slow.”
Her gaze swept over the bruises marring Shari’s body, causing her brows to knit together in deep concern. Anguish etched itself across her features. “Shari, what has he done to you?” Her voice wavered with barely contained emotion.
The question was rhetorical. Anyone with eyes could see that Shari was anything but okay.
This monster had shown no mercy whatsoever toward Shari.
Through her daze, Shari finally registered who had come to her rescue. Her eyes flew wide with shock and disbelief as she stared at Linsey. “Linsey, it’s you!”
Joy sparked in her eyes at first, but within seconds, her face drained of all color as panic set in.
“Linsey, you have to leave! Get out of here right now!” Shari said frantically, pushing her away with desperate hands.
She had been too shocked to think clearly before. Now it hit her like a sledgehammer. Linsey had just attacked Harold Sanchez for her sake.
Given his violent temper, she was certain he would never let Linsey walk away unharmed.
Confusion creased Linsey’s brow. “What are you talking about? If I’m leaving, you’re coming with me.”
Pain flashed across Shari’s features, but she spoke with urgent desperation. “Don’t worry about me. Just run!”
At that moment, Harold staggered to his feet, his face twisted with murderous rage. He wiped his face roughly and snarled, “Leave? After crossing me, you actually think you can just walk away?!”
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Harold’s voice cut through the air, and in a sudden burst of anger, he lifted his hand and pointed sharply at Shari, his gesture laced with fury. “You filthy traitor! You even had the audacity to bring a helper? Just wait till I get my hands on you—I’ll teach you a lesson you won’t forget!”
Linsey glanced at him, her eyes turning sharp as ice. Though her tone stayed calm, it carried a weight that dropped like a hammer. “You still think you can drag her away? Let me make this clear—there’s no way that’s happening!”
Shari stood trembling, her eyes brimming with tears, caught in a storm of fear for Harold and deep concern for Linsey. The clash of emotions gnawed at her chest, pulling her in opposite directions.
