Chris flung Edward aside like trash, the man crashing into a table and groaning in pain. Without missing a beat, Chris spun toward the tall, fair-skinned woman blocking his path. Her biceps flexed under her black sleeveless gown—Miss Poison wasn’t just muscle; she carried authority in her posture. “Why are you harassing them?” Chris asked, his voice low but sharp. “Who the hell gave you the right to walk into this banquet uninvited?” Before she could answer, Alice’s voice rang through the air like shattered glass. “Why are you wasting time asking questions? Deal with that useless pig!” she snapped, pointing at Edward, her nostrils flaring. “He slapped my mom and me! Don’t pity him—break his bones!” Chris clenched his jaw, the veins in his temple twitching. He was hot-headed by nature, but now, he kept a terrifying calm. His eyes locked on Miss Poison’s like a predator waiting for a twitch. As if on cue, Edward groaned and picked himself off the floor, brushing dust off his tuxedo.

“What do you want?” Miss Poison’s voice sliced the silence as she stopped in her tracks. Ava quickly bowed, her voice polite. “I—I thought I saw someone. Chris. The man near the boss… he looked exactly like him.” Miss Poison’s brow twitched. “You were given a job, not a tour. Who told you to approach the boss?” Her tone was firm, almost motherly in its warning. Ava bowed lower, swallowing hard. “I apologize, ma. It won’t happen again. I was just… confused.” Miss Poison didn’t bother replying. She turned around and headed for the waiting car, heels clicking like gunshots against the concrete. Ava watched her leave, the smile creeping back onto her lips. Ava couldn’t believe it—she’d just secured a $3 billion contract with the Dragon Group. That deal would fast-track her promotion at Asstas Group. She could already picture the headlines: Ava Nile, youngest executive to seal billion-dollar deal. Her heart danced in her chest. Still, something pulled at her. That face. He looked too

"What! I should work for Benjamin?” Chris barked, shooting a hard glare at Karen like she’d just insulted his ancestors. Karen folded her arms, lips twitching into a smug smile. “Of course! You should be happy that Mr. Burton is generous enough to offer you a job after the way you humiliated him.” Chris opened his mouth to protest, but she was already steamrolling ahead. “I don’t want to hear another word from you, Chris!” she snapped, jabbing a finger at his chest. “This family has stood by you since you were a boy. But now that you’re a grown man, you think it’s okay to keep feeding off our daughter’s salary? Never again.” She turned slightly, her eyes cold. “So make your decision, Chris. Either you work for Mr. Burton or pack your bags and walk out of this house like the stray dog you pretend not to be.” Chris stiffened. Karen was the boss of the house—everyone knew it. Whether her husband liked it or not, she called the shots. He had no choice but to nod in submission. “Fine,

Chris remembered what the Soul Racer had told him earlier. That voice still echoed in his head like a distant war drum. He rose to his feet, ignoring the chaos around him. Just as he tried to walk away, Zack snatched him by the collar and dragged him back roughly. “Don’t you ever walk out on me, Chris! Show some respect!” Zack barked, his voice sharp with threat, his eyes mocking. He was trying to reduce Chris to nothing, and he wasn’t even subtle about it. Still, Chris said nothing. He stepped back quietly, making to turn again, but two large men blocked his path. Before he could take another step, Zack yanked him again like he was pulling tissue from a public toilet. “I’ve always known you were short-tempered, but now you’re just plain stubborn. Five years in jail taught you nothing!” Zack hissed, still gripping Chris’s collar. “Let me go, Zack,” Chris muttered. His voice was quiet, calm, almost too calm. Zack leaned closer. “You dare to call me by name? Where’s your respect, h

Gavin was pacing like a dog off its leash, ready to attack. He looked to the boss for backup. But instead of lunging at Chris or barking orders, the man just… stared. Stared at Chris. With wide eyes. And something close to recognition. “What are you waiting for, boss?” Gavin barked, impatiently gesturing toward Chris. “This punk insulted me! He disrespected me and your entire company like we’re some roadside business! Because he’s an ex-convict? That’s the guy you’re protecting?” Gavin’s voice rose as he stepped forward, pointing and flailing like a man drunk on his own authority. “Throw him out already! Let the police squeeze the life out of him for disrespecting me!” Gavin was still talking when the boss’s palm slammed across his cheek so hard, landing an excruciating SLAP on his face! “You idiot,” the boss growled, his hand still hovering mid-air. “Who gave you the audacity to speak about him like that?” Gavin clutched his stinging cheek, stunned speechless. “You’ve made a t