343: VICTORY IN VALOR ARIEL’S POV “What is going on here? My father’s booming voice filled the room as he entered the hallway. My mother followed closely behind him, her face etched with worry Simon turned to face my father, a look of anger and entitlement still evident on his face. “Your daughter here has no manners. She kicked me in the private area,” he spat out, pointing an accusing finger at me. My father’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Is this true, Ariel?” I quickly explained the situation to my parents, leaving out the part where I had kicked Simon. I didn’t want them to think of me as a violent person, even though Simon deserved Before my parents could say anything. Martha interjected, “Sir, I saw everything. That young man was being disrespectful and forceful towards Miss Ariel. I had to intervene to protect her.” My father’s expression turned from disbelief to anger. He glared at Simon and said, “How dare you lay your hands on my daughter and our maid? Get out of my house this instant!” I Simon’s face turned red with rage. “I don’t have to listen to you. I’ll do whatever I want.” Before anyone could react, Simon pushed Martha to the floor and marched towards me. I tried to walk backward, but I was scared to make a move. Tessa held onto my hand with the reassurance that everything would be okay. I However, Simon pushed her away and grabbed me, wrapping his hands around my waist. I struggled against his grip, but he was much stronger than me. I could feel his hot breath on my neck as he whispered, “You will regret this, Ariel.” My father stepped in between us, breaking the grip. “Leave now before I call the police.” “You think you can scare me with your threats?” Simon sneered, his voice dripping with contempt, as he squared off against my father. “You’re nothing but a washed–up old man who can’t even control his own daughter. What are you going to do, though? Call the cops. They won’t do anything to me.” My father’s jaw clenched, his eyes burning with fury. “You have no idea who you’re messing with hoy. Get out of my house before I lose my temper.” However, Simon just laughed mockingly, his arrogance fueling his defiance. “Make me, old man. I’m not leaving until I’m good and ready.” I could see the frustration mounting in my father’s expression, his fists tightening at his sides. Martha stood behind him, her gaze steeling as she watched the confrontation unfold. “You’re making a big mistake, Simon,” I warned, my voice trembling with anger and fear. “Just leave before things get worse.” But Simon ignored me; his focus was solely on my father. “You can’t intimidate me, Ariel’s dad. “I’ll do whatever I want, and there’s nothing you can do to stop me.” with a swift motion, my father reached for his phone, his fingers dialing the emergency number. “Tine, If that’s how you want to play it,” he said, his voice cold and determined. “But don’t say I didn’t warn you.” As the call connected, Simon’s bravado faltered slightly, but he still stood his ground, his defiance masking any hint of doubt. I held my breath, praying that help would arrive before things escalated any further. “Ive had enough of this,” Simon growled, his eyes fixed on me with an unsettling intensity. “All I v Anel “Just hand her over to me, and I’ll leave peacefully. want is My mother’s voice trembled with indignation. “You have some nerve, young man. Do you believe that you can simply enter this room and demand our daughter as if she were an object?” er want Tessa’s voice cut through the tension like a knife. “You’re delusional if you think Ariel would ever anything to do with you. You’re nothing but a pathetic bully. Simon’s gaze flickered with anger, his fists clenching at his sides. “Watch your mouth, girl. You don’t know who you’re talking to.” But Tessa didn’t back down, her voice moving with contempt. “Oh, I know exactly who you are. “You are a coward who preys on girls because you can’t handle a real challenge. I could feel the tension in the room reaching a boiling point, my heart pounding in my chest with each passing moment. Simon’s face contorted with rage, his resolve wavering as he struggled to maintain his composure. “Just give it up, Simon,” Lsaid, my voice firm despite the fear coursing through me. “I’ll never go with your willingly, and my family will never let you lay a finger on me again.” My father nodded in agreement, his expression unwavering as he held the phone to his ear, waiting for help to arrive. Simon’s defiance crumbled before us, his bravado fading into desperation as he realized the gravity of the situation. Tessa’s words seemed to fuel Simon’s fury even more. His face twisted into a mask of rage as he lunged towards her, his hand raised to strike. Before I could even process what was happening, a loud smack echoed through the room as Simon’s palm connected with Tessa’s cheek. A gasp escaped her lips, and she stumbled backward, her hand instinctively flying to her face. “Simon, you monster!” I screamed. “How dare you?” But Simon wasn’t done yet. His eyes blazed with a dangerous fire as he advanced towards Tessa, his hands curling into fists as if he intended to do much worse. That’s when my father sprang into action. With speed and strength I had never seen before, he stepped forward and delivered a powerful punch straight to Simon’s jaw. The force of the blow sent Simon crashing to the ground, his body sprawling across the floor in a heap. For a moment, there was silence. The only sound that filled the air was the heavy breathing of everyone in the room, the tension sharp enough to stab like a blade. 111 VICTORY IN VALUN My father stood over Simon, his chest heaving with exertion. But there was no remorse in his eyes, there was only a steely determination to protect his family at all costs “You will never set foot in this house again,” my father growled, his voice low and dangerous. “If I ever see you near my daughter or anyone in this family, I will make sure you regret it for the rest of your miserable life.” Simon didn’t dare to move; his body was shuddering with pain and humiliation. He knew he had crossed a line he could never come back from. My father turned to comfort Tessa and ensure she was okay. I felt a rush of gratitude and admiration going right through me. He gave Simon a dark look. “Get out of my house, Simon. And never come back.” Simon scrambled to his feet, his face twisted with a mix of pain and rage. “You’ll pay for this “All of you.” With one final hateful glare, he turned on his heel and stormed out of the mansion, his footsteps echoing down the hallway like the ominous beat of a drum. The door slammed shut behind him, and a heavy silence descended upon the room. I was glad that was over. My father wrapped his arms around me, pulling me into a tight embrace. “Are you okay, Ariel?” I nodded. “Thank you, Dad. Thank you for protecting us.” He squeezed me tighter. “I’ll always protect you, no matter what. That’s my promise to you.”
