“Dad, are you really going to hurt me?” she questioned, feeling hurt and neglected.


    After all, she was his own daughter.


    How could she be less important than her uncle’s daughter?


    “You deserve this! You’ve ruined everything good we had.


    I’ll punish you as if you were never my daughter!”


    Drake raised the stick, poised to strike.


    “Stop! How dare youy a hand on her?”


    A frigid voice sliced through the air, sending a shiver down Maggie’s spine.


    How had he found her here?


    d in a sleek ck overcoat, Sanford strode purposefully toward Maggie, his imposing figure casting an aura of intimidation.


    His long strides whipped up gusts of frigid wind, entuated by the somber elegance of his attire.


    He approached Maggie, his gaze sweeping over her hand firmly holding Karl.


    With a rigid face, he pulled her to his side.


    Karl took a look at his hand but said nothing.


    Drake, caught off guard by Sanford’s sudden appearance, awkwardly lowered his raised stick


    and greeted him, “Mr.


    Robles.


    ”


    Sanford’s sharp, cold nce swept over him in response.


    The murmurs of the onlookers intensified as they noticed the arrival of Sanford.


    Among them, Cyrus, who had been observing the scene with mild amusement, now wore a mask of curiosity.


    He noticed Sanford had effectively separated Maggie and Karl.


    Hadn’t Karl imed to be Maggie’s boyfriend? The sudden turn of events hinted at deception.


    Was Karl merely a kept man in Maggie’s life?


    Concern etched on his features, Sanford turned his attention to Maggie, his voiceced with genuine worry.


    “What’s happening? Are you alright?”


    “I’m fine,” Maggie replied as she shook her head.


    Sanford scrutinized her closely, his keen eyes catching sight of a red mark beneath her ear.


    His expression darkened as he gently touched the red mark, concern etched on his features.


    “What happened here? Did your dad hit you just now?” he inquired.


    Maggie instinctively raised her hand to touch the tender spot.


    She realized it must have been from Cyrus’s earlier attempt to force a kiss on her.


    “It wasn’t my dad,” she rified, her voice tinged with difort.


    Sanford’s brow furrowed in concern.


    “You don’t need to protect them, Maggie.Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.