Thousands of Brilliant Stars: You Deserve the Best!-Chapter 194: Now It’s Me Who Has You Under My Thumb

Chapter 194: Chapter 194: Now It’s Me Who Has You Under My Thumb

Iris Crawford’s actions were like a slap hitting Evelyn Rowan’s face hard. She couldn’t believe that this woman was so audacious, twisting her other foot with force!

How dare she do such a thing!

But not only did Iris do it, she had to laugh, laughing with abandon, "Look at you, woman, trying to provoke me and yet too timid to face it. Do you think hiding behind your brother will solve everything? How adorably naive, let me tell you, you picked the wrong opponent from the start!"

She was Iris Crawford, lawless and defiant, traversing outside all societal norms. Those who were good to her, she would protect with her life, but those who dared to provoke her, she would repay at all costs!

Conscience? She long forgot what it is!

The sufferings of the world had already eroded her humanity!

Evelyn Rowan felt that Iris Crawford was a mad woman. She shouted, "You lunatic! Iris Crawford, you lunatic! Give me back my feet!"

Iris laughed like a villainous witch, patting Evelyn Rowan’s face, "How despicable, Evelyn Rowan, you look so ugly when you cry now."

Provoked by Iris, Evelyn Rowan cried even more, as if suffering all the grievances in the world. After Iris was pushed aside, she threw herself into her brother Seth Rowan’s arms, sobbing so hard she could barely speak, "Brother, save me, please save me..."

Seth had never seen his sister so pitiful. Evelyn Rowan was, after all, the cherished daughter of the Rowan Family, pampered since childhood. How could he let another woman twist her foot right under his watch?

"You woman!"

Seth was filled with anger. Initially, he thought they could handle this as people from noble families, but now there was no room for compromise. He gritted his teeth and stepped forward, grabbing Iris Crawford’s shoulder with his free hand, "How dare you!"

"How dare I?"

Iris laughed twice as if hearing a joke, "I’m not nearly as brazen as your sister! Twisting her own foot and blaming it on me, who could have thicker skin than her?"

"How dare you be stubborn on the brink of death!" Seth, ignoring the presence of everyone, pushed Iris hard again.

Then he placed his sister in the arms of a security guard and said, "Take Rowan to the hospital."

"Yes, young master."

The butler and security guard, filled with pity, sent Evelyn Rowan to the car, while Iris looked at Evelyn’s tearful theatrics, causally saying before she was taken to the hospital, "How’s that, satisfied yet?"

Evelyn Rowan was crying beyond recognition. She was a cherished daughter; when had she suffered such severe injuries? Let alone having her foot twisted by someone!

Iris Crawford, you wretched woman, too heartless!

Hearing Iris’s words made Seth anxious too. He turned to Orion Crawford, "Orion Crawford, your sister did this to mine, it’s absolutely unforgivable!"

Orion Crawford was also stunned. Watching Iris’s swift and unhesitating actions against Evelyn Rowan... Since when did Iris have that same ruthless nature as Lachlan Wyatt, killing without batting an eye?

Facing this situation was a first for Orion Crawford, "Sorry, Seth, I never thought it would turn out like this. Dear, why..."

"I said it."

Iris refused to explain further, with a stubborn, cold expression, "I didn’t do it, but since she wants to frame me, I might as well own it."

"You mean my sister is lying?"

Before anyone could react, Seth stepped forward, giving a fierce slap to Iris’s face, "You shameless woman, do you know how much Rowan means to me? You’re slandering her, saying she’s lying? Would she joke about her foot? To lie, does she really have to twist her own foot? Do you know how painful that is!"

The slap stunned everyone. Orion stood dumbfounded, seeing Iris bullied right before him! But Lachlan Wyatt shouted ahead of him, his bright eyes tightening with anger, "Seth Rowan, are you looking for death?"

Seth couldn’t believe it, raising his eyes to Lachlan, "Lachlan, are you defending this woman? You rushed in, you saw what happened, tell it as it is!"

"When I went in, I only saw your sister sitting on the ground, didn’t see the whole process."

Lachlan stepped forward, pulling Iris over. The Rowan siblings each slapped her, yet she didn’t utter a word.

This woman...

Lachlan gritted his teeth and clicked his tongue. He spoke for Iris, "So I won’t assume your sister twisted her foot deliberately, but neither will I conclude Iris pushed her!"

"You’re standing up for this woman, then there’s nothing to discuss between us."

Seth never expected himself to actually hit someone, especially a woman, going against his well-bred manners, but being pushed by Iris...

He withdrew his hand, fingers trembling slightly with anger. Hitting Iris was impulsive, but satisfying, "Even if it wasn’t you, you laid hands on my sister in front of me, that slap was deserved in return!"

Iris stood behind Lachlan, snickering, "Anything else, just bring it. Don’t drag my brother into this, I’m not like your sister, needing others to take responsibility and stand up for me."

"You!" Seth couldn’t bear the provocation from Iris, his fury unbearable, "You keep belittling and slandering my sister, this can’t be let go!"

"How do you plan to not let it go?"

Iris crossed her arms, having taken a slap but appearing more resolute, "Kill me to vent your sister’s anger?"

Seth was choked by Iris’s retort, then heard her say, "I’m standing right here. Use whatever you have. You love your sister so much, won’t you dare kill me for her? What extent are you willing to go, am I supposed to die?"

"You crazy woman!"

Seth found Iris incomprehensible, and even the surrounding bodyguards stepped forward to close in, seemingly targeting Iris alone, "Is it so hard to apologize to my sister and make amends?"

"I said I didn’t do it."

There seemed to be something sparking in Iris’s eyes, yet she suppressed it, exposing no vulnerability, raising her guard instead, "If she wants me to break her foot so badly, I fulfilled her wish! She got what she wanted, she deserved it! Make amends? She accused me of twisting her foot, so I delivered, that’s my amends!"

Orion Crawford inhaled sharply at Iris’s increasingly exaggerated words, quickly stepping forward, trying to touch Iris but being harshly shrugged off, "It’s none of your business."

"Iris!" Orion rarely raised his voice at her, "Do you really think you can cut me out of this?"

"I, Iris Crawford, handle my own affairs, don’t need you to step in!"

Iris was prickly, but beneath Orion’s shout, her eyes reddened easily, "I’m not like the Rowan Family’s cherished daughter, crying and seeking sympathy. I don’t need your help, and no one is putting false charges on me for things I haven’t done!"

Seth was anxious to accompany his sister to the hospital, yet harbored deep hatred for the "malicious" Iris. Finally, he squeezed Iris’s chin hard, "You better have evidence to prove your innocence. Otherwise, when Rowan is discharged, I’ll still settle this with you!"

"Those words go the same for you, you better have evidence to prove your sister is telling the truth."

Seth gripped Iris’s chin tightly, but she didn’t blink, staring intensely back, muscles taut with a fierce and alluring wildness. She enunciated each word, "Otherwise, for what you’ve done today, kneeling down to apologize isn’t too much."

How dare she!

How could a woman dare to say such shameless things!

Seth clutched Iris’s face, raising his hand, "I see you’re unrepentant until you face death, thinking I won’t lay hands on you!"

But as soon as he raised his hand, it was captured by another.

Seth wanted to move, but the person gripping his wrist was incredibly strong.

Turning his head, it was Lachlan Wyatt who had seized his wrist, each finger clamped down tightly, straining to hold Seth’s hand with significant force.

The man’s expression was like a beast, his tone equally imposing, "Enough commotion, head back first. You’ve already slapped her, and your sister is on the way to the hospital."

Lachlan Wyatt stepped in to speak, and Seth suddenly remembered that his sister needed company too.

Faced with the choice between dealing with Iris Crawford and keeping his sister company, Seth decided to first be with his injured sister. As for Iris...

"Every time I see you in the future, I’ll hit you." Seth’s tone was quite menacing, and he could only resort to pointing his finger at Iris’s nose, sneering as he said, "Women like you need a lesson. Don’t let me catch you framing my sister again. Every time I see you, I’ll hit you. Do you hear me? Today is just the beginning. From now on, our families are done, no contact whatsoever, and I won’t show any mercy!"

Such words completely disregarded Orion Crawford’s dignity, and it was apparent that Seth was truly furious, otherwise, how could someone with such a good upbringing say such thug-like words?

Before Orion could say anything, Seth released Iris, who stumbled backward a few steps due to inertia. Then Seth smirked and said to Iris, "Don’t think I don’t know what’s on your mind. You want to bring my sister down? Dealing with you is as easy as squashing an ant, Iris. You better be prepared and aware."

Iris pursed her lips without a word, and Seth turned around to leave, leaving the Crawford Family and Lachlan Wyatt there. He swiftly got in his car and rushed to the hospital to be with his sister.

Once Seth left, the entrance became silent, as if it were the end of the world. The atmosphere was eerily quiet. Orion tried to speak again, but Iris interrupted him, "Brother, I can’t come home for the next few days. I’ll stay elsewhere for now."

Orion was extremely worried, "Where will you go? After everything that’s happened, wouldn’t it be better to stay with me...?"

"No worries."

Iris tidied her hair, "I have a place outside. I don’t want to drag you into this."

"Iris!"

Orion’s tone intensified, "Why do you always face everything alone? Do you think I hesitated earlier, and that’s why you’re upset? I admit my tone was harsh, but that’s because, darling, you hurt someone’s sister right in front of me. Do you expect me to just ignore that?"

Iris’s eyes were slightly red as she spoke to Orion, "That’s why I said this has nothing to do with you. I’m leaving!"

"Let the family doctor check if your face is hurt..." Orion still wanted to make her stay, but Iris had made up her mind. Once she decided on something, no force could stop her. She got into her Ferrari, started the engine, and Orion chased after her, clutching the car door, "Darling, are you upset because I didn’t stand up for you...?"

Iris didn’t say a word, and didn’t even acknowledge Lachlan Wyatt, as she drove off alone with a firm resolve, leaving only Orion and Lachlan standing there.

Lachlan tilted his neck as if relaxing his joints. After a few cracking sounds, he straightened his head, posed with a certain wildness, and said, "Orion, let’s talk."

"Is my darling disappointed in me?"

Orion lowered his head, "Because I can’t even figure out whether she actually did it or not."

"If Iris really did it back then, Evelyn Rowan wouldn’t be showing up like that in front of her now."

Lachlan squinted slightly, "I am more inclined to believe that Evelyn twisted her own ankle and then slandered Iris. What do you think?"

Orion was much less familiar with the personality of the Iris after her return compared to Lachlan, so he twisted his eyebrows in a dilemma. Finally, with a deep breath as an elder brother, he said, "Forget it, whether there’s evidence or not, even if my darling did hit someone—"

He gritted his teeth, "I’ll still stand by her. The Rowans coming over and slapping us in the face, that’s unacceptable!"

Lachlan, seeing Orion’s decision, relaxed his brow and smiled, "That’s good. But you don’t need to worry. Iris isn’t disappointed in you; she just doesn’t want to drag you down with her."

"Really?" Orion was afraid his sister would be upset and ignore him. He sighed; being the pillar of the Crawford Family wasn’t easy, not wanting to outright break ties with the Rowans...

Lachlan nodded, saying to Orion, "I’ll go find Iris later. In the next few days, you can pretend you don’t know about this, so Iris won’t feel restrained."

Orion cast a suspicious glance at Lachlan, "What are you planning behind my back with my sister, you sly bastard?"

"What can I do?"

Lachlan shrugged, "I’m just Iris’s bootlicker now, what can I possibly do?"

"Isn’t Evelyn Rowan still intent on marrying you?" Orion pointed to Lachlan’s face, recalling something, his voice laced with excitement and anger, "If it weren’t for you, my darling wouldn’t be targeted by Evelyn like this! Lachlan, you’re the root of the problem! Stay away from Iris!"

Lachlan never expected such words to come out of Orion’s mouth.

In the past, he used to secretly help Lachlan Wyatt and Iris Crawford get together, but now he was saying, telling Lachlan Wyatt to stay away from Iris Crawford.

"Honestly, if it weren’t for you, my dear wouldn’t have been dragged into this at all."

Orion Crawford’s eyes were filled with complex emotions, knowing full well that these words were cruel to Lachlan Wyatt, but he still had to say them.

Better a short pain than a long one, perhaps it would be best for his sister and Lachlan Wyatt to let go of each other, maybe... there wouldn’t be these storms anymore.

So Orion Crawford turned his face away, not looking at Lachlan Wyatt’s expression, his tone tough, "It’s better if you don’t appear in front of my sister anymore, Lachlan Wyatt, it’s all because of you that my sister got involved, Evelyn Rowan admired you so she treated Iris Crawford this way... A lot of things don’t need to be said clearly, we’ve known each other for so many years. I know you broke with the Wyatt Family for Iris Crawford and Felix Crawford and paid a lot, but my sister also suffered a lot, you two should stop interacting, consider it my request as both a brother and a friend... I’m begging you."

Orion Crawford’s words were even more piercing than those of Iris Crawford.

Lachlan Wyatt’s face turned pale, as if he were the one gravely wounded in this conflict, after a moment the man lowered his head, "Why won’t you all just give me a chance, just look at me?"

Now even Orion Crawford wanted him to leave.

"Lachlan Wyatt, I..." Orion Crawford clenched his fingers as if his heart softened, but in the next instant he hardened his resolve again, "Anyway, just hurry up and get lost, my sister suffered greatly beside you, you don’t need to stay in contact anymore! I’m going back to deal with the Rowan Family’s matters, this mess is troubling for me too, I probably won’t have time to associate with you. That’s all I have to say, leave now, the Crawford Residence doesn’t welcome you!"

After speaking, Orion Crawford, afraid of regretting his decision, quickly returned to the living room and closed the door to the foyer, directly isolating Lachlan Wyatt outside.

Hearing the heavy sound of the door closing, Lachlan Wyatt was stunned, and when he came to his senses, he was standing alone at the Crawford Residence, as if the world had only him left, so lonely as if he might vanish into thin air the next moment.

Orion Crawford didn’t know how long Lachlan Wyatt stood outside, but late that night when he went out, Lachlan Wyatt was gone.

At the same time, Iris Crawford was applying a mask in the villa, she heard a noise outside and when she went down, she found Lachlan Wyatt had returned, leaning disdainfully against the railing on the second floor, "Oh, back this late, you must have been at the hospital with Miss Rowan?"

Lachlan Wyatt didn’t expect Iris Crawford to say she was staying elsewhere only to come back here, his eyes which were full of loneliness suddenly brightened, seeing Iris Crawford standing lively upstairs, he asked, "Why did you come back here?"

"The house is temporarily under my name."

Iris Crawford spread her hands, "What’s wrong with me coming back to stay for a while."

Lachlan Wyatt said, "I thought you wouldn’t come back..."

"Of course I’m coming back."

Iris Crawford smiled through clenched teeth, filled with hatred, "Evelyn Rowan likes you so much, right? Then I want to live with you every day, make her angry, make her anxious, make her jealous!"

Lachlan Wyatt paused in his steps, "You came back to see me just to anger Evelyn Rowan?"

"What else?"

Iris Crawford looked at Lachlan Wyatt who was approaching, and coquettishly wrapped her arms around his neck, feeling the man’s body suddenly stiffen, she laughed, "I really look forward to Evelyn Rowan’s expression when she finds out the man she loves is like a dog in front of me, Lachlan Wyatt."

"I thought you still had feelings for me."

Struggling to speak these words from his throat, Lachlan Wyatt squeezed Iris Crawford’s waist, but even in this intimate moment, he couldn’t escape the pain and bitterness in his heart, "How can you bear to use me."

"I don’t have a heart anymore."

Iris Crawford placed her hand on her chest, "My heart was long taken and shattered by you, now in my eyes, you are worthless. It’s Evelyn Rowan who foolishly provokes me.

"I’m worthless..." Lachlan Wyatt closed his eyes, unwilling to look at Iris Crawford’s seductive yet heartless face, "Iris Crawford, I have indeed lost to you."

Iris Crawford laughed, her laugh shockingly poignant, touching Lachlan Wyatt’s face as if he were a priceless treasure, filled with both pain and delight, all feelings mixed together, "Just like you say you still like me now, Lachlan Wyatt, you don’t know how handsome and charming you looked when you didn’t love me — to the extent that the current you is as lowly as I once was."

The tables have turned, this love is just a name, it never spares anyone.

I’m so happy, now I can control you.