***** Zach may have been intoxicated the previous night, but even so, he still clearly remembered everything that happened after both of them left the bar. In his drunken state, he had stumbled back to his room, not realizing Angela was following him. And the moment he knew, he had tried sending her away, but… realizing she was far too drunk to be left alone, he decided to give her his room, while he took another one. That was his intention. However, just as he settled her into the bed and turned away, Angela had suddenly grabbed his hand, pulled him down, and then kissed him urgently, clumsily, and completely unrestrained. Zach had been so drunk that his thoughts had blurred at the edges, his usual ironclad restraint loosening. But even in that haze, he had still pulled himself away from Angela, trying to maintain restraint. He vividly remembered pushing her hands aside and telling her to stop. However, she had adamantly shaken her head, gripping him tighter, an

***** Angela had been gone for a while already, but Zach hadn’t moved once. He remained seated on the edge of the bed, his posture straight but relaxed, his hands placed on his lap. At this moment, his gaze rested somewhere between the floor and the space, lost in thought… calculating and reflecting. He had already decided that letting Angela leave was the best course of action. And yet… a faint weight still tugged at his chest, subtle, and almost imperceptible, but undeniably there. It wasn’t regret or weakness per se, but responsibility. After all, no matter what, he hadn’t just taken something trivial… he had taken someone’s first time. He had been intoxicated, it was also his first time, and she had practically dragged him into it, but that didn't erase what had happened. His first time might have meant nothing to him, but given how Angela had managed to preserve hers for so long… it was obvious she treasured it and most likely wanted to give it to the right person.

***** Zach watched the thugs rant, not interrupting them or reacting. He just stood there, calm and expressionless, his back straight, until finally… “If by your brothers…” he began, his voice calm, unhurried, and emotionless. “…you meant them,” he added, pointing casually at the six bandaged thugs. However, before he could continue… “Don’t you dare deny it!!!” one of the injured men growled, aggressively stepping forward despite the visible pain in his ribs. “You thought we wouldn’t recognize you because it was dark last night, huh?!” “What an idiot!” one of the able-bodied thugs spat. “Trying to act smart in front of us!” They sharply interrupted, their arrogance overflowing and their scorn obvious. Their batons began to twitch impatiently in their hands, but Zach wasn’t even the slightest bit disturbed. He let them rage on again, watching quietly as they barked and snarled, thick veins bulging from their necks. Then, when they had exhausted half their breath again… “

***** Still inside the hotel room, the thugs, seeing Zach’s lack of reaction, could no longer hold themselves back. “Cat got your tongue now?” one of them sneered, baring his yellowed teeth at Zach. “Scared now, are you?” Another thug stepped forward, rolling his shoulders with exaggerated bravado. “This is what happens when a nobody tries to play hero and meddle in business that doesn’t concern him!” the third spat, smirking smugly. “Now that you’ve messed up,” a fourth thug added. “you can only accept the punishment you deserve!” Their voices overlapped… brimming with contempt, smug arrogance, and mockery. They all assumed Zach had been frightened silent by their boss’s revelation, and so, some of them laughed harshly, their expressions twisting with cruel delight, while others just stared viciously. “But it’s already too late for regret now!” Their threats came like arrows… sharp, relentless, and meant to pierce confidence and shatter morale. For most people, the pr

***** The gang leader didn’t wait for Zach to respond this time. Well… not like Zach showed any intention of responding. “He is the only son of a two-star general,” he said, his voice steady but deliberate. This time… he truly expected a reaction from Zach; after all, which soldier didn’t understand the significance of a two-star general? It was an authority, power, and influence that more than 90% of soldiers wouldn't reach in their lifetime. Even a one-star general would tremble in fear, awe, and respect at the mention of a two-star general. So naturally… a mere sergeant like Zach should tremble, panic, and instantly understand the magnitude of the mistake he had made. However, contrary to his expectations… Zach didn’t even blink once. His expression remained the same as before… as if the title “two-star general” carried no more significance than that of a “neighborhood committee chairman.” It was unacceptable. Earlier, the boss hadn’t been offended when Zach showed a