The scar-faced man stumbled back four or five steps, wrenching his arm free from Ryan's grip.Clutching his twisted, purpling wrist, he doubled over in agony.In that instant, the look he gave Ryan was filled with a terror he had never felt before.Who the hell is this guy?That hand felt like a steel vise. A simple twist was all it took to make a hardened street thug scream.Ryan didn't follow up immediately.He stood there, his gaze sweeping slowly across the faces around him—fear, mockery, greed.In the hallway of the VIP section, even the deafening bass seemed drowned out by the murderous intent radiating from him.Ryan went down on one knee.He reached out a calloused finger and gently tucked a strand of messy golden hair behind Elise's ear, revealing her face.It was once beautiful. Now, it was marred by red marks and blood.Elise was broken. Like a butterfly with torn wings.Ryan stared at the wounds for a few seconds. In the depths of his calm eyes, a faint emotion flickered.

In the darkness, behind the bushes.Justin was trembling with rage."Useless! Fucking useless!"He gritted his teeth, his eyes overflowing with malice.These "professional thugs" he had paid a fortune for were countered by Ryan instantly.His script for "The Knight in Shining Armor" was ruined in the first act.On the other side, in the shadows, the secretary held her breath.Her phone camera locked onto the center of the conflict.Her heart pounded like a drum, but she dared not make a sound. She just recorded every cold, sharp movement Ryan made.In the center of the woods, the air was suffocating.Ryan choked the leader with one hand. The cold tip of the knife pressed a bloody line into the man's neck."Let us go."Ryan looked around. His voice was flat."Or you're going to bleed."He dragged the hostage, moving steadily toward Elise, who was passed out by the roadside.The masked leader, with a knife to his throat, suddenly let out a creepy, low laugh."Go? You're dreaming, kid."

Nicholas paced back and forth in the study of Wells Manor.Despite his tailored suit, he looked like a cat on a hot tin roof. Fine beads of sweat coated his forehead."Damn it! Damn it! Damn it!"He slammed his fist onto the desk. An antique vase wobbled, nearly crashing down.The Old Master had given strict orders: Take care of Little Young Master Ryan.That was the Old Master's bloodline. Maybe The future heir of the entire Wells family!And the result?Ryan was getting beaten up out there!The news made Nicholas's blood run cold.Horrifying images flashed through his mind—What if Ryan was critically injured? What if Ryan died?The Old Master's wrath was not to be trifled with.If that happened, Nicholas's life wouldn't be enough to pay for it."Useless trash!"Nicholas grabbed his car keys. He didn't even fix his suit. He stormed out of the study."Get all security personnel! Follow me!"He dove into his black Maybach. The car roared out of the manor gates.Usually steady and seaso

"Hello? Talk to me! What the hell is going on?"Oliver shot to his feet, shoving the woman in his arms aside roughly.His chest heaved. His hand gripped the phone like a vise.However, there was only the sound of wind and the heavy thud of a body hitting the ground on the other end.Then, dead silence.It lasted for about five seconds.Then, a deep, indifferent voice drifted from the receiver."Is that Oliver?"Oliver's pupils contracted to pinpoints.It was Nicholas.He had a string of curses ready to scream, but the moment he heard that voice, his throat went dry.He opened his mouth. Finally, he squeezed out a single word through his teeth."Yeah.""Oh, I remember you. I used to run wild with your father back in the day."Nicholas sounded relaxed. There was even a touch of warmth, like catching up with an old friend."Time flies. Your father passed too soon. It seems he didn't teach you how to keep your dogs on a leash."Oliver felt rage burning in his chest, but he clenched his fi

Inside the bedroom, the air still reeked of the sour aftertaste of a hangover.Jess stood by the bed, wringing the wet towel in her hands until it deformed.She looked at the resentment written all over Elise's face. Her lips moved, about to say something.Knock, knock.The sound broke the heavy silence."Elise? Are you awake? I was worried sick..."It was Justin's voice. Low, with just the right amount of huskiness. He sounded like he hadn't slept all night.Elise looked down at herself. Her silk pajamas were messy, but covered enough.She propped herself up, adjusted her collar, and called out, "Come in."The door was pushed open gently. Justin walked in quickly.His eyes were rimmed with red. His hair was messy. His usually crisp suit was wrinkled.The second he saw Elise was safe, a look of ecstatic relief exploded in his eyes.The expression was realistic to the extreme. As if Elise was his entire world."Thank God. You're finally awake!"Justin rushed to the bed in three strides