The Abandoned Wife Dumped Him First (Victoria and Elias) novel Chapter 83

A fist cut through the air, hurtling toward Elias's face with fierce momentum.

Just as it was about to connect, Elias instinctively sidestepped. The punch grazed his cheek, the force of it scraping his skin with a searing pain that spread quickly.

Elias was forced back two steps before he regained his footing. He touched his lip and saw a smear of blood on his fingers.

His attacker clearly wasn't finished. The moment Elias looked up, Tobias clenched his fist again, ready to swing.

This time, Elias reacted faster. He raised his arm to block the blow, his eyes darkening as he threw a punch of his own without hesitation.

It landed squarely in Tobias's stomach.

Tobias grunted, doubling over as he staggered backward.

"Tobias!" Victoria snapped back to her senses, her face paling as she rushed forward to steady him.

Tobias took a moment to recover. Seeing Victoria's worried expression, he gave her a reassuring look. "Don't worry, I'm fine."

Victoria's brow furrowed.

He was sweating from the pain; how could he be fine?

She'd seen Elias fight before and knew exactly how hard he could hit.

Watching Tobias and Victoria exchange concerned glances right in front of him, Elias's face turned grim, his jaw tight. The cold aura emanating from him intensified, as if it could freeze the very air around them.

"Victoria, come here."

Victoria stood her ground, unmoving.

Seeing her defiance, the fire in Elias's eyes blazed hotter. His voice was laced with a warning, an undeniable command. "Victoria, don't make me say it a second time!"

Victoria's heart sank.

She knew what that tone meant—his patience had run out. She also knew the consequences of defying him would be severe, affecting not only the Sanger family but Tobias as well.

Slowly, Victoria released her hold on Tobias.

"Victoria, if you don't want to go, you don't have to. I'm here. No one can force you." Tobias seemed to guess her intentions, tightening his grip on her wrist and pulling her behind him. "Elias, Victoria is not your property. You have no right to order her around like that."

Elias's gaze, sharp as a knife, swept over the hand Tobias used to shield Victoria. His eyes narrowed. "Dr. Holt, on what grounds are you talking to me about rights? As my wife's friend? Or as the heir to the Holt family?"

"Whatever my status, I won't give you the chance to force her."

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