Chapter 58 Chapter 58
But before his hand could come down, Caroline stepped forward and stood in front of Tania, blocking the blow.
“Edward, how dare you?!” Her voice sounded cold and firm. “The great son of the Cassano family, assaulting a woman in public... Have you really lost all sense of shame?”
Edward stared at her, breathing heavily. “She was the one who spoke without thinking. If I don't teach her a lesson, she'll never learn her place!”
“Her place?” Caroline laughed, her eyes filled with contempt. “She only told the truth. And if anyone needs to learn a lesson here, it's me, isn't it? After all, I was the one who told her all that.”
Her words hit him hard.
Edward hesitated, his eyes flashing, and slowly lowered his hand.
His face, however, remained contorted with rage.
“Carol, I would never lay a finger on you,” he said coldly. “But she needs to apologize.” “I won't apologize!” Tania shouted, her hands trembling but her voice firm. “Why would I apologize to a worm like you?!”
She took a step forward, facing him eye to eye. “Carol loved you for so many years, and not only did you betray her, but you insult her too! Edward, you're despicable! Do whatever you want to me, I'm not afraid. Besides, people like you only know how to solve everything with money and violence, don't you? Rotten men like you love to hit people to feel in control!” Her voice echoed loudly through the reception area, attracting curious glances.
Edward's embarrassment turned to pure fury—and the tension in the room was about to explode.
The cashier at the counter and a few customers passing by heard the commotion and soon began to murmur about Edward.
His expression became dark—a dense fog seemed to form in his eyes. “Very well,” he growled in a low voice. “Since you don't want to apologize, don't blame me for being rude.”
With a nod, he ordered the bodyguards to approach.
“Edward, while I'm here, you won't lay a finger on Tania!” Caroline shouted, opening her arms and standing in front of her friend.
Edward frowned, his voice cold as ice.
“Carol, I don't want to hurt you. This has nothing to do with you. Step away.”
“Impossible!” Caroline gritted her teeth. “If you're taking Tania, then take me with you!”
“Don't force me.” He took a step forward, ready to push her aside.
But before he could touch her, a deep voice echoed through the lobby—firm, threatening, and sharp as a blade:
“Mr. Cassano seems very imposing now. But are you prepared to face the consequences?”
That voice...
Caroline looked up in surprise.
Her heart began to beat faster—she would recognize that voice anywhere.
The tall, imposing silhouette of Nicholas appeared in the distance.
With each step he took, the tension in the air increased.
“Wow... my Prince Charming has arrived,” murmured Tania, almost sighing, her eyes shining.
Before the others could react, she ran toward Nicholas, excited like a child.
"Prince Charming! You're just in time! If you had been a minute later, Carol and I would have been humiliated by this idiot!“ she exclaimed, with a smile of relief. ”Your entrance was dramatic, but perfect. Top marks!"
Nicholas raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised by her enthusiasm, and took a half step back—discreet, but firm. Even though she was Caroline's friend, Tania's sudden approach made him visibly uncomfortable.
But Tania didn't seem to notice.
She turned to Edward, her finger pointed.
“Prince Charming, I'm so glad you're here! This shameless man was about to intimidate us. You need to do justice for us!”
Nicholas didn't answer.
He just walked slowly, upright and cold, until he stopped behind Caroline.
The man looked down at her, and his voice, which had sounded threatening before, became soft:
"Have you been bullied?
Caroline looked at him expressionlessly, trying to contain the whirlwind of emotions. Her heart was beating so fast it felt like it was going to jump out of her chest. Only when he got close enough did the sound slow down again.
“H-how did you get here so fast?” she asked, still surprised.
Nicholas smiled slightly, pushing a strand of hair to the side.
“I told you I was nearby.” His voice had a hint of subtle humor. “Besides, I'm always rushing to see you. If it weren't for the red lights on the way, I would have arrived even earlier.”
Naturally, he pulled her close and wrapped his arms around her waist.
Then he looked up and stared at Edward—the tone of his voice turning cold again. “Now tell me, sweetheart... who is he? Did he intimidate you?”
Caroline lifted her chin, her eyes cold as glass.
“He's an insignificant person. You don't need to know who he is.”
Edward's face contorted. Disbelief gave way to anger.
He felt humiliated, invisible in the face of Nicholas's dominant presence.
“I am Caroline's fiancé!” he declared, his voice full of despair and wounded pride. “She and I...”
“Mr. Collins, allow me to remind you,” Caroline interrupted, her voice firm and her gaze distant. “You and I no longer have anything to do with each other.”
Her expression was cold, impassive. “We recently called off our engagement. I only ask that you understand this clearly, so you don't say anything foolish and further tarnish my reputation.”
Her words fell like sharp blades.
Edward's heart ached—and for the first time, he tasted the bitter taste of loss.
Something inside him was breaking.
But the worst part was seeing her like that: calm, firm, and completely indifferent.
It was as if, in that moment, Caroline had erased all traces of the love she had once felt.
Although Edward had suspected for some time that Caroline was with another man, it was much easier to deal with that idea as long as he didn't see it with his own eyes.
But now...
Seeing them together, the blow was straight to the chest.
The man in front of him was young, tall, and absurdly handsome—and, worse still, he matched her perfectly. He wasn't the rich old man he had imagined, but a man who radiated power and elegance.
Suddenly, even breathing became difficult.
“Carol...” His voice sounded hoarse and faltering. “What is your relationship with him? Does he own that Rolls-Royce?”