The Untouchable Derek Cross

chapter 8

Megan's voice was barely a whisper, trembling with emotion. She stared at him, tears streaming down her scarred face.

Seeing Derek rage for her sake, seeing him destroy Nathan Morrison, the man who'd tried to destroy her it felt like vindication. Like justice. Like a weight lifting off her chest for the first time in years.

But the fear crept in too.

"The Morrison family won't let this go. Adrian Freeman won't let this go. Could we really escape alive?"

Derek turned to her. His expression softened instantly, the cold fury melting away, replaced by something gentle. He reached out and took her hand, his touch warm despite everything.

“Megan. I'm taking you out of here. Right now. You're safe now.”

His voice was steady. Certain. Like nothing in the world could stop him.

Richard Morrison's face had turned the color of old iron, dark and rusted with rage. His hands shook violently. His breathing came in sharp, ragged gasps. He looked like he was on the verge of a heart attack.

"My grandson. Crippled. At my birthday party. In front of everyone."

"If I don't make this bastard pay in blood, the Morrison family will be the laughingstock of the entire city. Our reputation will be destroyed. Everything we've built will crumble."

Derek held Megan's hand and turned toward the exit. His voice rang out, clear and deliberate, each word enunciated with perfect precision.

“Remember this moment. What I did here tonight? That's just the interest. A tiny fraction of what you owe me. For everything the Morrison family did to me five years ago the lies, the betrayal, the destroyed life I will pay it back. Doubled. Tripled. A hundredfold.”

He paused, his eyes sweeping across the crowd, locking onto Richard Morrison, then Claire, then Adrian's approaching figure.

“Listen well, all of you. I, Derek, will turn everything the Morrison family owns every dollar, every asset, every connection, every scrap of power into nothing. I will erase you. I will make it so that in five days, no one even remembers the Morrison name. You will be dust.”

Silence. Absolute, suffocating silence.

Then Claire's voice, ragged and broken, called out from where she lay on the floor. She'd managed to push herself up onto her elbows, blood still dripping from her mouth, her face a swollen, purple mess.

“You... you worthless piece of trash... don't you dare talk about destroying my family... you won't even make it out of here alive...”

She coughed, spitting more blood.

“My fiancé... Adrian... he's already here. You're finished. You're dead. Do you hear me? DEAD!”

As if summoned by her words, the grand doors burst open with a resounding boom.

A tall, handsome young man strode into the room with the confidence of someone who owned the world. He wore an impeccably tailored black suit that probably cost more than most people's cars. His presence commanded immediate attention power, wealth, and danger radiated from him in waves.

Behind him walked another young man, younger, with a rebellious face and cold, calculating eyes. He had the look of someone who'd never been told "no" in his entire life.

And beside them, an old man in a long traditional robe. Thin, almost skeletal, but his temples bulged with thick veins that pulsed visibly. His eyes were sharp and alert, burning with intensity. Despite his age, his posture was perfect, his movements fluid. His aura was dangerous, predatory.

A martial arts master.

“Mr. Adrian has arrived!”

“That's Master James with him! The legendary fighter!”

“I heard Master James once fought forty men at the same time and killed half of them with his bare hands!”

“This is it. That guy is done for.”

Adrian Lin stopped, his sharp eyes taking in the scene. Broken bodies scattered across the floor. Blood everywhere. Nathan kneeling, sobbing, his arm and leg destroyed.

“What the hell happened here?”

His voice was cold, commanding, dangerous.

“Adrian!”

Claire's face transformed. Despite her injuries, despite her humiliation, relief flooded through her. She struggled to her feet, stumbling, not caring how she looked anymore. She threw herself across the room and into Adrian's arms, sobbing.

“It's him! Derek! That bastard piece of prison trash! He attacked me! He broke my brother's arm and leg! He's destroyed our family's celebration! He's too arrogant! You have to make him pay! Please! You have to get justice for me!”

Her voice broke into hysterical sobs as she buried her swollen face in Adrian's chest.

Adrian's jaw tightened. His expression darkened like a storm cloud. He gently patted Claire's back, his voice soft but with an edge of steel.

“Shifei, don't cry. I'm here now. Anyone who dares to touch my woman won't live to see tomorrow. I promise you. I will get justice. I'll make him suffer in ways he can't even imagine.”

His eyes lifted, locking onto Derek with a gaze full of cold calculation and murderous intent.

Derek met his gaze without flinching. His voice was flat, calm, almost bored.

“I suggest you walk away. This is between me and the Morrison family. Don't involve yourself in something you'll regret.”

The room went deathly silent.

"Did he just—"

"Did he just tell Adrian Freeman to stay out of it?"

"He's lost his mind."

“Even talking down to Mr. Adrian like he's nobody! Is he suicidal?”

“And Master James is right there! Where the hell does this guy get his confidence?”

“He got lucky against some low-level thugs and now he thinks he's invincible.”

“He's about to learn what real power looks like.”

The guests whispered frantically, mocking Derek, shaking their heads. This was entertainment now. Watching an arrogant fool get destroyed.