---- Chapter 11 Dean was chatting with a few clients, while his gaze occasionally scanned the crowd for a familiar face. Over the past few days, Dean had reached out to many friends and finally secured the chance to meet Asher. Asher was said to be ruthless with cruel means. Dean was worried that Eliana might receive inhumane treatment from Asher. Rumor had it that he was about to marry the daughter of the Spencer family, so his interest in Eliana might merely be a fling. Dean breathed a sigh of relief, but when he looked up, he saw Eliana She had lost a lot of weight, but she appeared more strikingly beautiful than before. And Brenden was standing beside her. Dean was shocked and belatedly realized the truth. Eliana was Brenden's younger sister. She was about to marry Asher. Eliana sensed Dean's intense gaze. ---- She turned her head slightly, and her gaze met Dean's directly. With a desperate urgency, Dean pushed through the crowd and hurried toward Eliana. By the time he arrived where Eliana had been, she was already on stage, arm in arm with Asher. They announced their engagement as she gave a radiant smile. The strategic union between the Barton and Spencer families was a powerful alliance. Everyone around was congratulating them, except for Dean. He shouted in despair, "| don't agree!" His friends frowned and lowered their voices in reproach. "Are you out of your mind? Do you think you can stop the two families from connecting with each other by marriage? | shouldn't have brought you here to embarrass us." With that, they forcibly dragged Dean away from the scene. Eliana merely glanced at Dean before turning her gaze away. When she got out of the restroom during the banquet, a hand covered her mouth. "Eliana, don't scream. If you promise me not to make a noise, I'll let go of you." Eliana nodded nervously. The moment Dean released her, she slapped him hard. "Dean, you're disgusting." ---- Dean grasped Eliana's hand and said with emotion, "Eliana, are you being forced to get engaged to Asher? Is Brenden forcing you to do that? Come with me. Even if it costs me my life, I'll protect you." Eliana didn't move. She gave a mocking smile. "No one is forcing me. Asher is wealthy, handsome, and doesn't have another woman around him like you do. He's far better than you. Isn't it only natural for me to choose him?" Dean clenched his fists and lunged forward. He tried to tear Eliana's clothes. "Are you still mad at me? | did something stupid to hurt you." His kisses landed densely on her face and made Eliana feel utterly disgusted. Dean pressed down on her heavily. Just as she failed to get away and felt in despair, Asher kicked Dean away and took off his jacket to wrap her tightly. Eliana shivered and huddled in Asher's arms. She couldn't utter a word. Asher cupped her face and used his thumb to wipe away the smeared lipstick from her lips. He said softly, "I'm here. It's okay now." After he comforted Eliana, Asher turned his cold gaze to Dean. He fiercely grabbed Dean by the collar and landed several ---- punches on his face. "Didn't | tell you to stay away from her? Did you not understand? Are you courting death?" Asher's blows were relentless. Dean had no chance to fight back. In front of Eliana, Asher was always gentle. He had never revealed his violent side. Eliana was startled, and her trembling hand pressed down on Asher's fist. Asher finally calmed down. He cast Dean aside and told his people to throw Dean out. Dean had gone unconscious at that time. Eliana was still shaken. She had underestimated Dean's audacity to use force against her. Asher talked to Brenden and then took Eliana upstairs to the penthouse for a rest. The club was Asher's, and the suite on the top floor was Asher's private retreat. Eliana clung to Asher's hand under the covers. "I don't love him anymore. | stopped you because | didn't want you to carry the burden of killing him." Asher nodded, and his palm gently patted her back through ---- the blanket. "I knew it." She was then exhausted from crying and fell asleep under the covers. Asher cleaned her face with a warm towel and stepped out to call his assistant. Dean dared to provoke Asher, so Dean had better be prepared to face the consequences. Perhaps from the shock, Eliana developed a high fever late at night. Asher was busy taking care of her by helping her take the medicine and cooling her down with damp towels. After he tended to her throughout the night, the fever had subsided by dawn. The phone rang, and the person on the other end was shocked. "Wow, Asher, are you really going to marry Eliana? What about your long-lost love, the one you couldn't forget? Won't you marry her?" "Keep your voice down!" Asher frowned. Then he covered the mouthpiece and went into the hallway to take the call. He didn't notice Eliana suddenly opening her eyes behind him.