Scoundrel With A Noble Heart (sequel of Disgraceful)

Chapter 110

Marguerite flinched at the threat in Matthew's voice. Terror washed over her as he addressed the men in the room.
"Grant, take Miss Marguerite back to her suite and keep her inside. In the meantime the rest of you can give this scoundrel the punishment he deserves!"

"No!" Marguerite's clutch on Jacob's arm tightened when the men started to gain on them. Jacob's body tensed noticeably, but his voice remained calm as he spoke,
"It's alright, Maggie. Don't be afraid."

Marguerite's wide, terrified eyes met Matthew's across the room.
"Matthew, please!" She begged, desperation lacing her voice. But Matthew remained unmoved, his glacial eyes giving no sign of yielding to her plea. The men took a step closer, and her frantic gaze swerved towards Wagner.
"Bill, please stop them!"

A flicker of uncertainty flashed across the older man's face. His conflicted gaze flicked between Marguerite and Matthew. He looked terribly torn, but finally his apologetic gaze met Marguerite.
"I'm sorry, Maggie,"

Just then, one of the men lunged at Jacob, snatching him away from Marguerite. Jacob twisted away with surprising speed, but another man launched from behind him, seizing him in a deadly clutch.

"Jake!" A scream ripped from Marguerite's throat. A surge of adrenaline shot through her, momentarily banishing the terror as she lunged forward to help Jacob, but Grant, one of the men, reached out to take hold of her arm.

A fierce protectiveness surged through her, fueling her defiance as she whipped around, meeting her captor head on,
"Don't you dare put your hands on me! Remember I also own this place! Have you forgotten your pledge of loyalty to my father?!!"

Marguerite's voice, surprisingly clear and powerful, rang out in the room, startling Grant, and the other men to a sudden halt. Grant's hand hovered mid-air for a moment before falling away. The man dropped his gaze, shifting nervously under her angry stare. Her head snapped toward the other men, and they noticeably flinched as Marguerite's gaze swept over them.

"I've known all of you since forever! Each of you is a good man, or you wouldn't have gained my father's trust for so long. Have all of you lost your conscience? Do you not feel ashamed to gang up against a helpless man like a coward? Do you think it's the right thing to do? I know you are better than this!"
The words poured out from her lips, more powerful than a physical blow. Finding an unexpected strength within her, Marguerite turned her gaze back to Matthew. This time, she wouldn't allow him to disacknowledge her. Not anymore.

"Matthew! This is a private matter between the three of us. You shouldn't have dragged the innocent staff into this!"

Marguerite's unexpected defiance rendered Matthew speechless. He never imagined that Marguerite would ever raise a word against him, and the unexpected strength and courage she had displayed had even the men frozen when Marguerite's gaze returned to them.
"I have no desire to turn all of you against Mr. Walsh, but this abuse of power is unacceptable. Now could you please release Lord Mannheim at once?"

The men exchanged conflicted gazes between them. They seemed to waver between their loyalty to Matthew and their own conscience. Finally, they released their grip on Jacob and withdrew from him.

Relief flooded Marguerite like a wave, momentarily dissolving the tension in her shoulders.

"Jake, are you alright?" She rushed over to Jacob, her hands settling on his arms as she scanned his length. A wry smile touched his lips.
"Not a scratch. Thanks to you."

Across the room, Matthew's jaw dropped, a flicker of hurt flashing through his eyes, quickly masked by renewed anger as he bellowed,
"What are you guys doing?!!! Don't listen to Miss Marguerite. Her mind has been bewitched by this scoundrel!!!"