Josh’s eyes widened. “What? He tried to slap her?”A murmur rippled through the gym. Heads turned. A couple of the guys straightened, puffing their chests, already imagining themselves stepping in as Karina’s “defenders.”Karina stiffened.Her voice cracked. “Yvone, that’s not what happened—”But Yvone raised her chin, smug and satisfied that she finally had everyone’s attention.“Oh, please. I saw it with my own eyes.” She lied smoothly, relishing the growing outrage. “He raised his hand at you, didn’t he? Or are you too embarrassed to admit it?”Karina’s mouth opened—then closed again.Because everyone was staring at her.Waiting, judging, and assuming.And even though she didn’t want everyone to believe Yvone’s lie, her own pride strangled her tongue. Admitting that she, the untouchable supervisor, had been rattled senseless by a stranger—without him even touching her—felt humiliating.Her silence was all the confirmation the crowd needed.Josh stepped forward, cracking his knuckle

"I can't believe that happened!" "How did he lift Josh up so fast?" "That move was ruthlessly clean. Who knows the amount of pain Josh must be feeling now." Gasps ripped through the gym, sharp and loud enough to echo off the walls. Karina skidded back into the room, breath catching at the sight before her, but no sign of security with her. Josh lay sprawled across the mats, clutching his ribs, the imprint of impact still vibrating through the floor. His friends hovering above him in stunned silence, none daring to help him up. Arthur stood over him, his hands still tucked casually in his pockets. His attitude was calm. It was the terrifying kind of calm—the kind that said he hadn’t even used half his strength. The crowd quickly parted away from him, like he was something dangerous. “W-what happened?!” Karina’s voice cracked as she stepped closer, eyes darting between them. Arthur didn’t look at Josh. His gaze only lifted to her. Those dark eyes made her freeze i

With Yvonne dragged out and the commotion slowly dying, the gym finally began to breathe again.A few stray gazes flew over to Arthur, but he wasn't bothered by it.Finally, he could leave.Karina also felt the same relief as he did.After today she didn't know what might happen to her or the gym, but one thing was certain.Yvone was never going to stop in it, and she was going to make sure of it."Alright everyone, pack up, there's nothing to see here!" She clapped her hands, sending the crowd off.A few cat calls from the ladies were thrown at Arthur, but he simply dismissed it.All he wanted was to leave.Karina, perhaps feeling this, peeked at him from her side, before stepping over to him.Each step feels heavier than the last.“Hey,” She waved, swallowing her nerves. “I’m… I’m really sorry about everything that happened today. I should have handled it better.”Her voice was soft, almost pleading.Arthur didn’t respond immediately. He wanted Karina to know how bad her actions wer

Murmurs flew into the air, but Arthur's focus on Richard's car was sharp. The black Mercedes that had intercepted the Audi sat shoved to the side, its hood crumpled, cracks webbing across the windshield.The Audi, however, was a wreck—its windshield gone, the driver’s side crushed inward like a folded tin can.The shadow guard hadn’t had enough time to perform a perfect maneuver, but the counterattack was still clean, brutal, and aimed directly at saving Arthur.Yet, Richard had miraculously survived.“Young master.” One of the black falcons called, but Arthur remained silent, his fists ghostly white.Richard couldn't believe his attack had failed.He had calculated this path, and no cars were said to come for miles, since it was an empty parking lot, yet a car still appeared.A few kind onlookers rushed to his car, trying to help pull him out, but he ignored them, wondering what had gone wrong. He had been so close to actually doing something when that stupid car from the side had

The lobby tensed as the four security guards marched in, heavy boots echoing against the marble floor.“There!” Bridget pointed at Arthur, chest puffed out with self-importance. “Get him out, and drag him if he resists!”Before they could move, the two bodyguards on Arthur's sides stepped forward.They stood like silent statues, their gaze frighteningly cold.Sensing the menacing aura, the guards stopped.“Why are you still standing like fools?! Throw him and those idiots out this instant, or I'll fire you!” The guards exchanged glances, in hesitation. They could each feel in their bones that these two men weren't ordinary but her status and reputation made them obey without question.They depended on this job to survive, and they couldn't afford to lose it.Four guards approached Arthur in a tight formation, casting wary glances at the two men. “STOP!”A thunderous voice cracked through the lobby, and everyone spun around.The manager, Mike, burst from the back corridor, with a pa