Chapter 278

Michael's gaze was as sharp as a deadly dagger. Had Layla not been a woman, he might have retaliated without a moment's hesitation. Layla stumbled back a step. Her courage, which had stood strong until now, crumbled under the weight of Michael’s cold, terrifying eyes. She realized that pushing him further wouldn't be wise. "Mrs. Smith, please calm down," Logan intervened, pulling Layla aside. "Right now, saving Mr. Smith is the priority. We don’t need a scene." "Mom..." Hazel watched her mother slap Ruby, a strange sense of satisfaction blooming inside her. Ruby placed her hand on her burning cheek but said nothing. If her father hadn’t been fighting for his life—and if guilt weren’t eating her up inside—she wouldn't have tolerated such humiliation in silence. "Does it hurt?" Michael whispered, his fingers gently brushing the reddened skin on her cheek. "I'm fine," Ruby whispered, shaking her head. Michael’s eyes returned to Layla—dagger-sharp, with a cold rage simmering just beneath t