My heart felt like it was being torn apart.

Looking hurt and confused, I asked Sandra hoarsely, "Is there nothing else left but money on your mind?"

Enduring the sharp pain at the back of my head, I held Annie with one arm. With the other, trembling, I reached into my coat and pulled out a prescription, folded neatly and carefully.

"When Annie was first diagnosed with a genetic disease, none of us gave up. I worked day and night, traveling for business. I finally earned enough to hire the most authoritative specialist abroad. I finally had enough to support her expensive hospitalization and imported medication."

My eyes reddened as my vision began to blur, yet I was still staring at Sandra.

"Have you forgotten what you told me through tears? You said you would stay with Annie and I until she recovers. You said that this family will never be apart! W-What happened to you?"

My voice had a hint of desperation that even I had not expected from myself.

Sandra looked at the prescription. Her gaze turned from impatient to mocking.

She scoffed, "That was all lies!"

She reached her hand out and snatched the prescription from me before tearing it into shreds.

"Only an idiot like you would treat that burdensome daughter like she's some precious treasure. If I hadn't said that, how else would you have willingly fallen at my feet?

"Besides, Kian can give me a better life now. You and Annie are nothing but a burden to me!"

I looked at Sandra as if I were looking at a stranger. That was the first time I truly saw her for who she was.

Kian grew even more arrogant at Sandra's attitude toward me. Stepping on the shredded prescription, he went forward, trying to take Annie away from me.

"Give me the child. You piece of trash. After the divorce, you won't have the right to look after her!"

The security guards instantly pounced.

A few of them grabbed me by the arm, trying to take Annie away from me. My arm hurt a lot.

Annie was startled by the commotion. When she saw Kian trying to grab her, the usually obedient girl broke down completely.

She shuddered violently in my arms, muttering, "I-I'm sorry. I-I'm sorry! I-It's really dark here!"

My heart completely sank.

No wonder Sandra tried stopping me from bringing Annie to see the doctor.

I did not know where I found the strength, but I managed to break free from their grasp and hugged Annie even tighter.

With my other hand, I quickly grabbed my phone and called my assistant.

"Get Director Lenox to the lobby right away!"

I swept a glance at Kian, who was still in a daze, and added, "Monitor the stock of Kian Bar. If necessary, acquire it right away!"

Kian was first stunned when he heard the name, but then he bawled as if he had just heard the world's funniest joke.

"Who are you pretending to be? Acting like a big shot! You? Buying my bar? Ordering Director Lenox to come here? Who the hell do you think you are?"

He stepped forward and slapped me.

I could instantly taste blood in my mouth.

As if that had not relieved him enough of his anger, Kian yelled at the security guards, "What are you still standing there for? Hit him! Kill him! If anything happens, I'll bear the responsibility!"

Receiving orders and no longer worried, the security guards rained down punches on me.

I was only focusing on protecting Annie in my arms.

Just when I was about to lose consciousness, two voices rang out in unison.

"Mr. Lou, why didn't you tell me beforehand that you were coming?"

"Mr. Lou, we've successfully acquired Kian Bar!"