Free Web NovelChapter 197: Attacked
He raised the needle, his muscles tensing as he prepared to lunge forward.
Lyvana knew she couldn’t wait for Emily anymore. If that needle touched her skin, it was over. As Andrew reached out to grab her arm, survival instinct took over.
She lunged forward instead of backing away, catching him completely off guard.
With a quick, desperate move, she grabbed his right hand with both of hers, locking onto his wrist. Using every ounce of strength she had, she twisted his wrist outward with a sharp, violent snap.
Andrew let out a sharp cry of pain as his bones popped. His fingers lost their grip, and the syringe slipped from his hand, shattering instantly on the hard floor.
Enraged, Andrew tried to grab at her with his free hand, but Lyvana didn’t give him the chance. She shoved him with all her might and kicked him straight in the groin.
He hissed in pure agony, but as he stumbled, his arm swung out in reflex and he slapped her hard across the face.
"You little bitch."
The force of the blow spun her around, her cheek burning with sharp pain. But the anger inside her was louder than the pain.
Turning back instantly, she kicked him again, harder this time, aiming right for the exact same spot.
"Ahhhhh," Andrew groaned, his hands flying down between his legs as he doubled over, his face turning pale from the blinding pain.
Andrew staggered backward, crashing into the side table beside the couch. The glass vase on top wobbled before falling and shattering across the floor.
Lyvana didn’t stop to breathe.
Fear still clawed at her chest, but now adrenaline carried her forward like a storm breaking loose. She grabbed the nearest object she could find — a heavy lamp from the table — and pointed it at him with trembling hands.
"Stay away from me!" she shouted, her voice raw.
Andrew lifted his head slowly, breathing hard through clenched teeth. Rage twisted across his face, replacing the smug confidence he had worn minutes earlier.
"You think this changes anything?" he spat.
He took another step toward her.
Lyvana swung the lamp instantly.
The metal base slammed against his shoulder with a sickening thud. Andrew cursed loudly and stumbled sideways into the wall. Before he could recover, Lyvana turned and ran.
Bare feet slammed against the cold floor as she rushed toward the hallway. Her heart pounded so violently it felt ready to burst from her chest.
"Help!" she screamed desperately. "Help!"
Behind her, Andrew cursed in fury.
She bumped into Eleanor who was talking to Lady Glowen.
Eleanor staggered back a step from the sudden impact, her conversation with Lady Glowen cutting off instantly.
"What on earth..." Eleanor started, her voice sharp with irritation. But the words died in her throat the moment she looked down. freēwēbnovel.com
Lyvana was trembling violently, her hair messy, her face pale with a dark red mark blooming across her cheek, and nothing but a towel wrapped tightly around her body.
"Lyva?" Lady Glowen gasped, immediately pulling her closer. "Good heavens, child, what happened to you?"
"Andrew," Lyvana choked out, her breath hitching as she looked back toward the dark hallway. "He’s in my room. He has a needle, he tried to take me!"
Eleanor gasped as Lady Glowen held her tightly, her face full of horror.
"What?" Eleanor looked past Lyvana toward the private hallway. "Andrew attacked you?"
Lyvana nodded. Eleanor immediately reached for her phone to call security.
Within seconds, the sound of fast approaching footsteps echoed from the staircase, and three guards rushed into the hallway, Marco leading them.
"What happened ma’am?" he asked sharply.
"Andrew was in Lyvana’s room," Eleanor said. "Find him."
The guards moved immediately.
Marco paused briefly, his sharp gaze sweeping over Lyvana’s condition.
"Are you hurt, ma’am?"
"I’m fine," Lyvana answered quickly, though her voice shook badly.
Eleanor touched her arm gently. "Come inside first. You shouldn’t stay out here."
She guided them both into her bedroom and shut the door firmly behind them, blocking out the noise outside.
"Sit down, sweetheart," Lady Glowen said softly.
Lyvana sat on the edge of the bed, clutching the towel tightly around herself.
Eleanor walked quickly to the closet, grabbed a silk robe, and handed it to her.
"Here."
"Thank you," Lyvana whispered.
As she slipped it on, Eleanor walked over to the small bedroom fridge. She took out some ice, wrapped it carefully inside a small disposable towel, and walked back over to hand it to her.
"Put this on your cheek," Eleanor said softly, her voice gentler than usual. "It will keep the swelling down."
Lyvana took the cold pack and pressed it against her burning cheek, letting out a shaky breath as the ice numbed the pain.
Lady Glowen watched her with deep concern, then turned back to Eleanor.
"Who exactly is Andrew?" she asked quietly. "And why would he attack Lyvana?"
Eleanor hesitated. "He’s..."
The bedroom door suddenly flew open before she could finish.
Julian rushed in with the Chairman right behind him, his expression completely wild with worry. The moment his eyes found Lyvana, he crossed the room immediately and dropped to his knees in front of her.
"Are you okay?" He reached out, his hand trembling slightly as he brushed his thumb gently against her swollen cheek. "He hit you?"
"I’m fine," she said softly, placing her hand over his to calm him. "Don’t worry."
Julian’s jaw tightened, a dark, terrifying look crossing his features. "I’ll kill him. Stay here."
He stood up instantly, turned on his heel, and walked out of the room.
The Chairman looked ready to explode.
"How the hell did he get past security?" he thundered toward the hallway. "Someone get me Marcus right now!"
Outside, the sound of hurried movement immediately followed.
A few moments later, another set of rushed footsteps approached.
Emily burst into the room first, followed closely by Damon and Isabel.
The second Damon saw Lyvana sitting there in a robe with bruises forming on her face, his expression shattered.
"What happened to my daughter?" he demanded hoarsely.
