Griffin let out a guttural scream , clutching his private part as he stumbled backward . His face flushed red and nearly purple , sweat pouring down his forehead . " Griffin ! " His mother , Judith Moreno , rushed over , her face etched with worry . " Are you okay ? " " Mom , it hurts . It hurts so much ," Griffin whimpered , his voice trembling . " How dare you kick my son ! " Judith shouted furiously . Kaia looked down at them , her gaze icy and unyielding . " He deserved it . " " What a wild , arrogant brat ! You hit my son and still have the nerve to talk big ! " Judith snapped . ' Arrogant ? Why don't you ask what your precious son did first ? " Kaia shot back . As Kaia spoke , Tobias walked over and stood right by her side . He didn't say a word or lift a finger . But just by being there , it was obvious to everyone that Tobias was backing Kaia up , no questions asked . Hearing the commotion , the third Moreno brother , Jameson Moreno , squeezed in and looked at Griffin , who was still clutching his groin . " What happened ? " he asked . Griffin gritted his teeth , trying to hold back the pain . " It was her . She tried to seduce me . I called her out , and she took it personally and attacked me ." As soon as Griffin finished talking , the crowd started throwing weird , disdainful looks at Kaia . ' Seriously ? Kaia was hitting on Griffin ? " someone whispered . ' Didn't you hear what Griffin said ? Plus , her engagement with Tobias is almost up . She's gotten used to living large and doesn't want to go back to her old life , so now she's trying to hook Griffin ," another person added . up with " Makes sense , " someone else nodded . " Shameless ! " Judith spat . " I've met plenty of hicks from the countryside , but I've never seen a brazen little slut like you ! " Kaia didn't hesitate . She strode right up and slapped Judith hard across the face . Smack ! The noisy banquet hall fell instantly silent , the echo of that slap hanging in the air . 1/5 12:03 am Chapter 43 : འ་ 55 vouchers No one could believe Kaia was that fierce . She'd just slapped Judith , the wife of Tobias's Uncle Jameson , in front of everyone . Judith clutched her face , eyes wide and practically popping out of her head as she glared at Kaia , utterly stummed and furious . " You , you hit me ? How dare you ! How dare you hit me ! " she screeched . " And why shouldn't I ? You called me a hick and a slut . You act all high and mighty , but is this what your fancy upbringing taught you ? To scream insults at people in front of a crowd without even knowing the truth ? " Kaia's voice was icy , her gaze sharp as a blade , and the aura she gave off was downright intimidating . Judith was floored . Never in her life did she think she'd get schooled by some brat , especially after being pampered since birth . No one had ever dared slap her , not even her parents , who always treated her like their precious little princess . " I'm Jameson's wife , Tobias's aunt by marriage ! Striking your elder is absolutely unforgivable ! " she shrieked . Kaia just scoffed . " Please . I'm only engaged to Tobias , not married . Don't try to shackle me with some made - up family rule . If you insist on pulling rank , then you're the one abusing your status as an elder . You had it coming ! " Judith couldn't get a word in edgewise , feeling more and more humiliated and upset . She collapsed into Jameson's arms , bawling her eyes out . " Honey , your wife and son just got slapped around ! Are you just going to stand here and do nothing ? After being slapped in front of everyone at my age , how am I supposed to show face again ? I might as well be dead ! " she wailed . my Jameson looked completely overwhelmed and turned to Tobias . " Tobias , what are we supposed to do now ? " " Griffin only has himself to blame , " Tobias said flatly , his face unreadable . Kaia lifted her eyes to Tobias , uncertainty flickering in her gaze , She was sure that after what she'd just done to Griffin and Judith , Tobias would take his family's side . Maybe he'd even use this as a reason to break off their engagement and cut her out of his life for good . But what caught her off guard was that Tobias actually stood by her . " But , but , Tobias , you ... " Jameson stammered , looking totally flustered . 2/5 12:03 am Chapter 45 65 vouchers " Uncle Jameson , I might've been standing a little ways off , but I saw Griffin clearly up to no good as he went after my fiancée , " Tobias said , his voice steady and cool . " Is that true ? " Jameson's eyes widened as he turned to Griffin . Griffin's eyes darted around , jaw clenched tight . " I just went over to Kaia to grab a bite , and she tried to seduce me . She told me her engagement with Tobias was almost up , and if I was willing to take her in , she'd do whatever I wanted . No limits . " But come on , how could I ever do that ? Even if she and Tobias broke it off , she was supposed to be my future cousin - in - law . That's just messed up . " And anyway , someone like her , who'd throw herself at anyone just to get ahead ? I'd rather die single than ever lay a finger on her . " Joel almost lost it and nearly went after Griffin right then and there , fists clenched and ready to beat him down . But Kaia shot him a quick look , silently telling him to hold back . If it weren't for Kaia's signal , Joel wouldn't have cared about the occasion or blowing his cover . Anyone who dared to insult or slander Kaia - Joel would hunt them to the ends of the earth , and never let it go . " Tobias , did you hear that ? Your fiancée is the shameless one , trying to seduce my son ! You should make her kneel and apologize ! " Judith screeched , her voice dripping with venom . She hated Kaia with every fiber of her being . Kaia let out a cold laugh , scanning the crowd with a cool , detached gaze . " Kneel and apologize ? Not happening . Isn't this exactly what you've been hoping for ? To kick me out ? Honestly , I don't give a damn about this place . Later ." With that , Kaia turned on her heel and walked away . But before she could take another step , a strong , calloused hand clamped down on her wrist , stopping her in her tracks . Kaia turned around , and her eyes locked onto Tobias's handsome face . Confusion flickered in her gaze . ' Is he going to force me to apologize to his family ? ' Kaia thought , a hint of frustration in her mind . But her gut told her that Tobias wasn't just trying to make her apologize . Maybe there was something else behind his actions ... Before Kaia could process what was happening , Tobias gave a firm but gentle pull , released her 3/5 12:03 am Chapter 45 wrist , and slipped his arm around her waist , holding her tightly against him . Kaia stiffened , stunned by his sudden move . Everyone was left speechless , not knowing what to make of it . 1255 vouchers . Tobias swept his icy gaze across the room , finally locking eyes with Judith and her crew . He spoke up , his tone unwavering and full of authority . " Kaia and I will be husband and wife . This is for life . Nothing and no one will ever come between us . " His declaration echoed through the hall , every word landing like a hammer . There was no mistake . He meant every syllable . Everyone could see he wasn't joking around . Tobias was serious . Kaia's eyes went wide , totally stunned as she stared at Tobias . She just couldn't believe what she was hearing . Upstairs , Keaton was practically bouncing with excitement . " Finally ! Tobias's got some sense ! " He figured that after these days together , Tobias must've noticed Kaia's talent and brilliance . But Keaton couldn't help but wonder if Tobias had realized who she really was - Dr . Bennett . " Uh , are you serious ? " Judith stammered , her voice trembling . Tobias nodded , his expression dead serious . " This isn't just what Grandpa wants . It's what I want , too . " " Did you ever think of asking me first ? " Kaia whispered in his ear , her tone laced with exasperation . Tobias turned to her , his midnight eyes brimming with unwavering affection . " Well , I'm asking you now , " he murmured . " I don't agree , Our engagement's almost up , and when the time comes , I'm gone . You live your life , and I'll live mine , " Kaia said , her voice steady and unyielding . " That won't stop me from going after you ," Tobias replied , his tone gentle but full of resolve . Kaia's brows drew together as she met Tobias's gaze head - on . When their eyes locked , an electric current seemed to crackle in the air between them - something neither of them could quite put into words . 4/5 12:03 am Chapter 45 ' Is he just putting on a show ? ' Kaia wondered , uncertainty flickering in her mind . And is he expecting me to play along ? ' she thought , her confusion deepening . For a moment , she just couldn't figure him out at all . 55 vouchers Their voices were so low that nobody could catch a word , but the way they leaned in , practically whispering right into each other's ears , looked way too flirty for anyone to ignore . Slowly , everyone's attention shifted to Griffin . " Didn't he just claim Kaia was throwing herself at him and that Tobias was about to dump her ? But look at those two now - practically deeply attached , and after that earth - shattering confession from Tobias , why would Kaia ever leave him for a guy like Griffin ? " someone whispered . Yeah , that makes sense . Looks like Griffin was just making stuff up ," another person chimed in . ' Seriously , why would Griffin make up stuff about Kaia ? And what made her go off and slap him like that ? " someone in the crowd whispered , genuinely baffled . ' Come on , it's not rocket science . Haven't you heard about Griffin's messy love life ? The guy's a total player . He probably thought he could get with Kaia . Too bad he had no clue Tobias is crazy about ner . " ' He tried to steal her from Tobias and thought he could get away with it , but he messed with the wrong couple and got burned , " another person snickered . Griffin looked miserable as he listened to the crowd's whispers . He clenched his fists , jaw tight , determined to double down on his lie no matter what . He said , looking wronged . " Tobias , you have to believe me ! Kaia tried to seduce me . I think she's ust insecure and wants to keep me as her backup plan . I swear ! I swear to God , I'm telling the truth . ' If I'm lying , may I never be a man again , may I never have kids , may I die a miserable death ! " 515 AD Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!