Owned by a Rich Man |19+|

Chapter 13 - Mother's Protection

"Where do you think you're going?"

They turned in the direction of the voice and saw a man that had been waned by age but still stood strongly and solemnly at the hall, with numerous men behind him.

Anika recognized the man. It was her mother's owner.

She turned to her mother and saw her also looking solemn.

Anastacius looked at the group of people who were like thieves cowering to escape and he sneered.

"The shamelessness in your bones is unimaginable, Leon. After stealing my family's empire, now you have your sights on our goddesses. Tell me, I was right all along, hm? You are doing this because you have been blinded by the power of the goddess, and want to take it all for yourself!" His voice boomed in the whole hall.

Leon's eyes darkened as he stared at the man he once called father. This man thinks everyone is like him, greedy and blinded by money.

Although Leon also craved power, but he wouldn't depend on weak and defenseless women just to succeed.

"Uncle, don't worry. We wouldn't let this man rob our family." A young man patted Anastascius's shoulder and also looked menacingly at Leon.

Leon turned towards him and scoffed. He wondered where his father got the means and human power to hunt him down, turns out he sought help from his brother's family- his once nemesis.

"Desperate times call for desperate measures, eh?" Leon said mocking tone to Anastacius.

Anastacius heard this from his bastard son and became even more furious. He took a deep breath, pressed the fire in his heart, and patted his nephew's hand.

Even if he needed to swallow his pride and seek his brother's family, who was once his biggest competitor for the head of the Albrecht, he would do it, just to preserve the goddess in their family.

"We wouldn't let any of you out of here alive if you continue, Leon. So hand over the goddess." Anastacius said solemnly.

Leon eyed him coldly, held Anika's hand on his, and hugged his daughter in his arms more tightly.

"Your family's abominable tradition ends today. I am nothing like you, as I am taking my family, not a thing." He said in a deep voice, ringing all across the hall.

Anika looked at the man beside her in awe. Something warm filled her heart, and she can't help but be hopeful about following this man.

But then a loud laugh suddenly sounded.

"Family? Do you really think those women are humans? They are not, and would not survive in a cruel world." Anastacius said in a vile voice.

"Sooner or later, you would realize their use, and you would just end up keeping them, Leon. Mark my words." He added loudly.

Leon scoffed. "Only I can tell what I would do." He then motioned his hands to his men, and a bunch of armed guards went in front of them to shield them.

"Let's go," He whispered to Anika and her mother. He and some of his men assisted them to run towards the back exit of the tower.

"Follow them!" Anastacius roared.

His men went forward but were blocked by Leon's men. A battle commenced, and gunshots sounded on the whole tower.

Anika can't help but scream and cover her ears. She held her mother and ran towards the exit.

When they arrived outside, her mother suddenly let go of her hand.

"Mom?" She turned to her questioningly.

"They will catch up to us any minute now. Sweetheart, you go on." Her mother's soothing voice told her.

"But what about you?" Anika's voice trembled as she grabbed her hand.

Leon, who had just placed his daughter inside the car, turned back to the two women.

"I'll stay," He was just in time to hear this.

"Mom, no.." Anika said weakly, trying to pull her hand.

"Ma'am, please come with us now. I'll make sure to protect you." Leon butted in and also tried to convince her.

Her mother turned to him and shook her head gently.

"We can't escape their hands. They are more coming." She told them.

Leon's brows furrowed as he stared at her. They were indeed more of Anastasius' men arriving from the other side. But, how did she know?

The woman just smiled and turned back to her daughter.

"I'll stay here and buy you time, and you go with him. Remember what I told you when I will be gone? I will go back there and I will be at peace. You don't need to worry about me," Her gentle voice sounded. She cupped her daughter's face and smiled lovingly.

"But you, you should live. Live a better life in this world. And live for all of us." The woman said with finality as she pushed her daughter toward Leon.

"I'll leave them to you. Take care of them." These were her last words before she turned back and ran back inside the tower.

"Mom.." Anika could only whisper as she watch her mother run away, her golden hair and skirt fluttering in the wind.

An image she would remember forever.

"Let's go," Leon whispered to Anika and pulled her towards the car.

There was no time, and he needed to take them away first.

.......................................................................

Anastacius saw more of his men come in and ordered them.

"Some of you come with me to follow them!" He ordered. He turned his back and went through a blind spot from the battle to follow Leon's party to the back door.

But suddenly, he saw a delicate figure come from that direction.

It was his very own goddess. Her slightly dimmed blue eyes stared straight at him.

His heart jumped seeing this, as this was the first time she looked at him this way.

"It's you.." Anastacius let out a breath and tried to coax the woman.

"Hey, don't believe what that brat says. He is an ungrateful and scheming thief! You won't believe someone like him, would you?" Anastacius convinced. He thought the woman came back because she doubted Leon and wanted to come back to him.

But she just looked at him coldly.

"I can see his heart and he is different from you." Her cold voice sounded.

Anastacius was stumped.

"What? You-" When he was just getting furious, he saw her eyes lit up in a golden light.

Anastacius backed away with a stunned expression.

The woman looked straight, and her hands also lit up in a golden color. She turned towards Leon's men.

"Go back to them. Leave everything here to me." Her voice echoed, and it sounded as if it was from a deep well.

The men were stupefied when they saw this. They looked at each other hesitantly.

"Go!" Suddenly, her voice burst loudly, shattering the glasses around.

The men jumped when they saw this and did not doubt any further. They turned back and rushed to leave.

While Anastacius and his men backed away in fear.

"I won't let you stop them." The woman's voice spoke.

"Lucis virtus voco

Venite ad me et custodite cordi

Vis lucis, malum punie

Ignes Dissipare et Vallum"

As the woman chanted, strong winds blew from all directions. The light from her eyes and hands grew brighter.

Until a strong light enveloped the entire place, and a strong explosion followed.