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But Lorenzo instantly grabbed her hands, pulling them away. “Don’t be stupid,” he snapped. “You’re not touching this. You could hurt yourself. What the hell are you doing?”

Esther exploded. “Lorenzo! She’s faking it! Don’t fall for her act! She’s pretending to be this innocent thing in front of you, but before you came in, she was smug and full of herself!”

“Shut up, Esther!” Lorenzo’s voice boomed like thunder. His head whipped toward her, fury tightening his jaw. “I know exactly what kind of person she is.”

Esther flinched, visibly shaken by his anger.

Lorenzo exhaled sharply and muttered with clenched teeth, “Get out of this room. Now. I’ll take care of everything here. Just get out.”

Esther stared at him, stunned.

“For her?” she shrieked, her voice shaking with rage. “You’re telling me to leave because ofher?!”

Krystal’s eyes flicked toward Esther for a brief second—calm, almost victorious. That small, subtle look only made Esther lose her mind further.

“You bitch!” Esther shrieked, grabbing a heavy glass vase from the table and hurling it straight at Krystal.

Krystal’s body reacted instinctively, moving in front of Lorenzo to protect him.

But he was faster.

He pulled her into his arms, turning his back to the attack and covering her completely.

The vase shattered against his back with a loud crash, glass raining down like a storm. Even though he’d covered Krystal completely, one sharp shard flew past and sliced her cheek before hitting the floor.

Blood trickled down Krystal’s face.

Lorenzo pulled back and stared at the cut on her face. The fury that stormed across his expression was unlike anything Krystal had ever seen from him.

He stood up in a flash, pulling her protectively against his chest, his arms wrapped around her tightly.

“Are you out of your goddamn mind?!” he roared at Esther, his voice echoing through the room. “What the hell is wrong with you?!”

Then he turned back to Krystal, his expression softening instantly. He cupped her face in his hands, eyes filled with worry.

“Are you okay? Does it hurt?” he asked, voice low and tense.

Krystal met his eyes and gave a small shake of her head. “No… as long as you’re alright, I’m fine. It doesn’t hurt.”

Then, glancing nervously between him and Esther, she gently pulled his hands from her face.

“I should go. I’m sorry for disturbing you,” she whispered.

She turned to leave, but Lorenzo immediately grabbed her hand, stopping her. “I’m taking you to the hospital.”

“No, it’s fine,” she protested softly, trying to pull away. “It’s just a scratch. Nothing serious.”

He turned toward her, eyes flashing. “You’re not a damn doctor,” he cut in sharply. His jaw clenched, frustration flashing in his eyes. “Stop acting like you know what’s serious.”

Without another word, he scooped her up into his arms and carried her toward the door.

“There’s too much blood,” he muttered, anxiety thick in his voice. “I’m not taking chances.”

Esther stepped in front of him, trying to block his way.

“Lorenzo, she’s faking it! Can’t you see that? She’s playing you, and you’re just believing everything she says. Why?”

“You don’t have a say in this matter!” he barked, his voice laced with fury as he shot her a scathing glare. “Don’t come between me and my wife. Look at how badly you’ve hurt her—and you still have the nerve to say she’s faking it?”