Evelyn didn't back away. She leaned down until her face was inches away from Julian's pale, sweat-streaked forehead. The faint scratch on her cheek was visible under the bright chandelier lights, and tears still glistened in her eyes, but her expression carried a lethal, unyielding ferocity that chilled Julian to his core. As he groaned in agony, clutching his leg, Evelyn locked her eyes onto his, her hand gripping his tuxedo lapel tightly so he had no choice but to look at her.
"Don't ever touch my daughter again," Evelyn whispered in a low, intense tone that carried more power than any shout. Julian trembled, nodding frantically as pain radiated up his leg, unable to utter a single word of defiance. Evelyn let go of his collar, leaving him sprawled among the broken glass and spilled wine on the floor. She turned around slowly, her green gown trailing elegantly behind her as she picked up her crying daughter, pulling Sophia securely into her arms.
With her head held high, Evelyn walked past the shocked crowd of elites, who quickly parted to create a wide path for her. Security guards stood completely frozen, unwilling to step in her way after witnessing the raw power of a mother defending her child. As she carried Sophia out of the grand hall into the bright afternoon sun, Evelyn knew that while their evening had been ruined, no one in that room would ever dare lay a hand on her daughter again.