"Mr. Allenson, thank you for stepping in and helping Joanna." Ashton Heath's arm possessively wrapped around Joanna's waist, pulling her closer as if to publicly claim his territory. "If you hadn't stepped forward in time, I can't imagine what the consequences would have been."
"You've done a great favor for Joanna, and we may never be able to fully repay you for it."
Maddox Allenson's gaze fell on the arm Ashton used to hold Joanna, his already dim eyes becoming even more lifeless.
Suppressing the bitter taste in his heart, he forced a smile: "Mr. Ashton is too kind. It's not a matter of owing favors. You don't owe me anything, and you don't need to repay me. In such a situation, as a man, I would definitely step forward."
"I just did something most men would do, so there's no need for you to feel indebted to me."
Ashton Heath hooked his lips: "True, but Mr. Allenson really did do a great favor to my Joanna."