The slap came suddenly, and the distance between the two was very close.

Joanna saw Joanne raise her hand to slap, but it was too late to stop her.

Bella watched as the hand quickly swung towards her cheek, the smile at the corner of her mouth suddenly turning cold.

Even though Joanne’s slap came without warning, Bella, who had been wary of her, was naturally prepared. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

Just as the slap was about to land on Bella’s face.

Joanne’s wrist was suddenly grabbed forcefully, the grip so strong it was as if her hand bones would shatter.

Bella’s brows lifted slightly, a trace of surprise flashed in her eyes, and then she smiled.

Joanne didn’t expect that Mason, who had just been talking with Dean with his back to them, would suddenly return.

Her face suddenly looked unpleasant: "Mr. Bennett."

Mason was expressionless, his presence exuding an intimidating coldness that made people shiver.

Listening to the woman’s voice, he didn’t show any pity, his grip kept tightening.

Joanne’s face suddenly twisted, and then her entire expression was contorted with pain.

"Let, let go of me."

Joanne’s voice changed with pain, almost bringing her to tears with grievance.

She had just completely lost control, wanting to hit Bella.

In her heart, there was no concern; even if she hit Bella, what could happen? Who would dare hit back?

She thought, no matter what, Mason couldn’t possibly lay a hand on a woman.

However, she was mistaken, and very much so.

Not only did Mason act, but he didn’t hold back. She felt her hand was about to break.

"Who gave you the courage to raise your hand against her?"

That chilling voice was like a demon crawling out of hell, ruthless and capable of claiming lives.

Joanne’s face turned pale, her teeth chattering from pain.

Everyone around who witnessed this scene gasped.

They all saw Joanne about to hit someone.

No one stepped in to stop it, and even if they wanted to, it was too late.

They were also curious to see this spectacle.

Yet Mason interrupted them unexpectedly.

Moreover, though Joanne hadn’t hit Bella, he was still furious.

"Mr. Bennett, this is a misunderstanding," Joanne said, forcing herself to speak.

She had always been strong-willed, rarely bowing to anyone, but at this moment, she had no choice but to show weakness.

She couldn’t let Mason really ruin her hand.

Mason’s dark eyes surged, seemingly harboring a beast within the deep ink-like pupils, ready to erupt at any moment.

He didn’t loosen his grip upon Joanne’s words, instead tightening his fingers, wanting to crush the hand that almost hit his beloved.

Who gave her the courage to lay a hand on his Bella?

Bella looked at the ruthlessness in Mason’s eyes, surprised as well.

It was the first time she had seen Mason like this.

She knew if this continued, he would really break Joanne’s hand.

She sighed, all her anger dissipating, stepped forward, and gently held the man’s hand.

She could clearly feel the force emanating from that hand.

"Let go," the girl said softly.

Her voice was not loud, yet it was firm.

Mason frowned slightly, looking at Bella, his eyes full of disapproval.

Many people were surprised by Bella’s action.

"Heh, Bella is really pretentious, she was just strong and unyielding with Joanne, now she’s pretending to plead."