Just as Amanda's hand was about to strike Elena's face, another hand clamped firmly around her wrist.
Jasper, who had been sitting back and watching the spectacle, hadn't expected Amanda to actually turn so violent. Without thinking, he had rushed over to intercept her.
"Don't do something you'll regret!" he warned.
In her fury, Amanda was only further incensed by his interference. She shot a cold glare at Jasper—one hand still tangled in Elena's hair, the other still gripping the hot flat iron.
"Jasper, let go!" she shouted.
Jasper frowned. He knew she was beyond furious and had no intention of being harsh with her. He slowly but firmly pried the straightener from her hand, saying softly, "If you actually do this, you'll be on the front page tomorrow. Why does someone like you need to get your hands dirty?"
Pressed against the table and unable to move, Elena began to scream hysterically, "What kind of people are you?! You're bullying me! You're using force! I'm going to sue you!"
Amanda's eyes narrowed. Without a shred of mercy, she slammed Elena's head back down onto the table, eliciting a sharp cry of pain.
Jasper, losing his patience, ignored Amanda's protest and forcefully pulled her hand away from Elena's head. In the struggle, a clump of hair was torn from Elena's scalp.
As Elena continued to wail, Jasper pulled Amanda aside. She was still trembling, staring at Elena as if she wanted to burn a hole through her. He sighed helplessly and reached out, squeezing her cheek to force her to look at him. For the first time, he looked at her with genuine seriousness.
"That's enough. There are plenty of other ways to deal with her," he said. "Don't be self-destructive just to hurt her."
As her anger began to simmer down, Amanda looked at Elena's disheveled state and lost the will to keep fighting. She snorted coldly, brushed Jasper's hand away, and went to check on Winter's wound.
Elena, sobbing and clutching the spot where her hair had been pulled out, saw Amanda leaving and tried to scramble up. "Amanda, stop right there!"
But she only managed two steps before Jasper blocked her path, staring her down with icy eyes. Elena knew Jasper had a powerful background and a difficult personality. Under his gaze, she instinctively backed away.
"What... what do you want?" she stammered.
Jasper didn't say a word. He simply offered a cold, unsettling smile and turned to leave. The look in his eyes left Elena shivering.
"Miss Elena, let me help you with your forehead..." her assistant whispered, cautiously approaching.
"Get out! You useless thing! You just stood there and watched me get beaten!" Elena screamed, punctuating her words with a sharp slap to the assistant's face.
"I-I'm sorry!" the girl sobbed, covering her face.
"Go away! I don't want to see you!" Elena snarled. Disgusted, she stormed off toward the restroom to tend to her own wounds.
Celia had finished packing and ran over the moment she heard the news. Seeing Winter's red, blistered wrist, she immediately started fuming. "That bitch Elena! I'm going to kill her!"
Celia started to charge out, but Winter caught her arm. "I'm fine, Ms. Cece. Please, let's not make a bigger scene."
Winter looked at Amanda, who was quietly applying ointment to her burn. Amanda let out a long, weary breath. "I've already handled her, Cece. You don't need to do anything else."
Celia pouted but sat back down. "Fine. But Winter, keep that wound away from water for the next few days."
As she finished bandaging the wrist, Amanda felt a wave of guilt. This burn should have been hers, not Winter's.
"It's just a tiny mark, I barely even notice it," Winter lied, though tears still shimmered in her eyes.
Amanda's heart warmed. She remembered how, even in her cruelest moments in her past life, this girl had always been kind to her. She reached out and gently stroked Winter's hair. "I know you're brave. Take a few days off to rest."
Winter blushed at the sudden gentleness and gave a shy smile. "Okay."
"Alright, if the drama is over, let's go home," Celia said, standing up and brushing off her clothes. She grabbed Winter and Amanda, ushering them toward the parking lot.
They expected to see their usual car, but instead, they found two men waiting nearby. Leaving Celia and Winter behind, Amanda ran toward Quentin.
"What are you doing here?"
Quentin, who had been holding a cigarette, immediately extinguished it. He waved the smoke away just as Amanda threw herself into his arms. He smiled helplessly, steadying her. "Why are you running so fast?"
Amanda wrinkled her nose in feigned disgust. "You smell like smoke."
Quentin laughed, pinching her nose. "You dare to criticize me now?"
"Can you two tone down the PDA? Your brother is standing right here!" Diego muttered, putting out his own cigarette, looking thoroughly annoyed by the display of affection.
"We're husband and wife showing our love," Celia chimed in as she and Winter caught up, unceremoniously teasing Diego. "Why are you meddling, big brother?"
Amanda ignored the banter and looked at the two men seriously. "Really, why are you both here?"
Quentin reached out to tuck a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "We came to take you to dinner."