Seeing that Victor’s fist was mere inches away from landing on his face, Roger raised his arm to block
it at the last second. “Mr. Sullivan, don’t you think it’s inappropriate to fight in public? A street fight like
this one might damage your reputation,” said Roger. Victor hit his arm hard. The pain made Roger
stumble backward and take a deep breath. With nothing but intense hatred in his eyes, Victor pushed
forward to throw another punch. “Cut the crap!
Roger Jimenez, if you really are the tough man that you pretend to be, then stop blabbering and fight
me!” Anticipating Victor’s next move, Roger easily dodged the incoming uppercut. Realizing that Roger
was avoiding an altercation at all costs, Victor paused and asked with disdain, “What’s the matter,
weakling?
Don’t you have the guts to beat your opponent? I guess you really do need a woman’s protection.”
“Fights can’t solve every problem, Mr. Sullivan. You should know that by now since you have been the
most powerful man in Apliaria all these years.” With his dignity and relationship on the line, Roger
became dead serious. He wasn’t affected by Victor’s mind games and insults.
“I don’t need a woman’s protection, but I definitely won’t put the woman I love in a dilemma, even if it
means not fighting you.” Roger’s reasoning behind his words was obvious. If the two of them fought,
Rachel would surely be in the middle of all the drama and gossip. Moreover, her public image was at
stake here. To the onlookers, they were two rivals battling for a woman’s heart.
To make matters even more complicated, the ship was fully occupied by the wealthiest and most
powerful families in Apliaria. Two high-profile men fighting for a beautiful woman was the most favorite
gossip of all. If they were to engage in a fistfight right now, people would inevitably spread nasty rumors
about Rachel. After getting off the ship at the end of their trip, the news would eventually spread in all
circles of society.
When that happened, Rachel would have no face to show to the public. She would then live a shameful
life. One could imagine the horrible things people would say about her. Rachel might be known as the
once-married woman who owned the hearts of two men. Or maybe they would gossip about what a
deceitful woman she was to string along two eligible bachelors from the most well-known families in
Apliaria.
No matter what people would say, Roger was sure of one thing. Nothing good would come out of
fighting like thugs on a ship filled with spectators. He didn’t want Rachel to be involved in such a messy
situation, so he wouldn’t dare fight back.
The anger in Victor’s eyes only intensified as he glanced at Rachel and asked, “She’s the woman you
love?” “That’s right. I love Rachel, and i’ll do whatever it takes to make her mine,” Roger said bluntly.
He walked up to Rachel’s side and looked straight at Victor. Clenching his fists in bitter rage, Victor
glowered at Roger menacingly. Shifting his gaze to Rachel, he asked cautiously, “What about you? Do
you love him?” Sensing Victor’s oppressive aura, Roger quickly inserted himself between Rachel and
her ex -husband,
“Mr. Sullivan, correct me if I’m wrong, but I seem to remember that you and Rachel have already been
divorced for four months, right? Now that you two are not legally married, who she wants to be with is
not your concern. So if I were you, I’d back off and leave her be.” “Step aside and get lost!” Victor
shouted in a low voice. Instead of following Victor’s order, Roger stood his ground and continued to
shield Rachel from her oppressor.
“If she doesn’t want to answer you, just respect her choice!” The veins on Victor’s temples throbbed,
and his growing rage couldn’t be suppressed for much longer. In a matter of seconds, he strode
forward and grabbed Roger forcefully by his collar. “This matter is between her and me. Who do you
think you are to involve yourself in other people’s business?” After snarling aggressively at Roger,
Victor glared at his ex-wife and shouted, “Rachel, answer my question!
Are you going to run away with Roger after this trip?” Trying desperately to break free from Victor’s
grip, Roger finally shook him off as he staggered back a couple of steps. Realizing that the situation
was about to get out of hand, he turned to Rachel and said hurriedly, “Rachel, just tell him how you
really feel about me.
He won’t hurt you as long as I’m here. You don’t need to worry.” Rachel looked at Roger with a blank
expression. She slowly smiled and said, “Thank you for everything, Roger.” “Rachel…” When Roger
heard her ominous statement, an inexplicable sense of uneasiness arose in his heart. He suddenly felt
that this might be the end. Before he could say anything else, Rachel suddenly walked up to Victor and
said, “I’m tired.
I want to return to my room and get some rest.” Her tone was calm and casual as if she was not
affected by the altercation between them. Victor’s eyes darkened in suspicion. He narrowed his eyes
with a hint of coldness, somewhat confused by Rachel’s sudden change of demeanor.
Rachel knew that Victor wouldn’t cease his questioning unless she did something to soothe his ego
and make him feel secure in their relationship. She lowered her eyes and tightly clenched her dress,
afraid of what she was about to do next. Looking at Roger’s bewildered face, she sighed and
straightened her dress. Deep in his gut. Roger somehow knew what Rachel was going to say.
“Rachel…”
“Roger, I’m sorry if I wasn’t being clear enough just now. You clearly misunderstood my actions and
intentions, so I will address this issue once and for all.” Rachel spoke slowly as she delivered a painful
blow to Roger’s heart. “Thank you for your love. But I’m sorry. I have no feelings for you.”
Visibly dumbfounded, Roger pressed his thin lips together and just stood in silence. Rachel smiled
endearingly at Victor as she held his arm. “Oh, and Roger. I forgot to tell you something. Victor said he
will remarry me after the cruise.”
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