Chapter 123
Chapter 125
“No, Mama has seen all kinds of ugly, and she knows-the Lord never created an ugly creature,” the big guy said. “Really?” one of the thugs drawled, cocking an eyebrow and scratching his greasy hair. “If that ain’t ugly, then I reckon I’ve never seen ugly a day in my life p>
“Ah, ma said,” the big guy went on, his voice thick with smugness, “it’s because she’s got an ugly heart. When your heart’s rotten, it drags your face, your personality, and your whole body down to hell with it p>
“Sure enough,” a third scumbag piped up, nodding like he’d just discovered the meaning of life.
The bystanders looked on in stunned silence, wondering how these half-witted goons managed to cook up such twisted nonsense.
“But hey,” the biggest of the bunch announced, stomping his boots on the ground for emphasis, “I know how to fix that problem right quick p>
He lumbered up to Megan, crouched just enough to leer into her face with mocking concern, and said in a syrupy tone, “Next time, sugar, don’t go havin’ a heart uglier than a rabid coyote. Be a good woman, y’hear p>
Then he slapped her.
Hard.
The sound cut through the rainy air like a gunshot, and he didn’t stop there- another slap, then another, each one echoing in the hushed crowd.
Megan’s eyes rolled back as she collapsed, unconscious.
“How the hell’s that supposed to fix anything?” asked one of the onlookers, baffled.
The big lug shrugged, picking at his teeth.
“Beats me. My mom always said she was hittin’ me to beat the bad outta my heart. Figured it might work on her, too p>
Hank snorted and jabbed a thumb in Sophia’s direction.
“Alright, enough of this. Stop your squirmin’. Tie her up. She’s the one I’m takin’ home tonight p>
“What about that other one?” a random thug asked, gesturing at Megan, who was beginning to come to p>
Fear flickered across her eyes.
Hank rolled his eyes, his impatience etched into every line of his face. “Anyone want her? She’s free game,” he said, his voice devoid of care, like he was tossing away trash
The group exchanged uneasy glances, silence hanging heavy in the air, until someone nudged a wiry, toothless man forward.
“Hey, Carl, you’re still a virgin, right? She’s all yours,” the man teased, his laughter thin and mean.
Carl recoiled as though the suggestion itself was a personal insult. “Hell no! I’d rather die a virgin than lay a finger on that piece of ugly trash. I’ve got standards, man!” he spat, his expression twisted in disgust.
Hank sighed, already bored with the exchange.
“Enough. Just bring me the pretty one and leave the ugly one there,” he said, waving dismissively.
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Chapter 125
Megan lay motionless on the cold floor, her emotions a tangled mess of anger, humillation, and despair.
Across the way, Marco-conscious again but feigning otherwise kept his eyes shut, mind spinning for a plan that wouldn’t get him killed.
Just when Sophia’s fate seemed sealed, a smooth, steady voice sliced through the chaos.
“Stop p>
Heads turned as Alex stepped forward, cutting through the heavy silence with calm, deliberate strides.
While fear gripped everyone else, he showed none-his unwavering gaze and steady presence commanding the room’s attention.
His gaze locked onto Hank.
Hank curled his lip. “Another hotshot? You too stupid to see how this ends p>
Alex offered a faint smile, but his eyes were sharp as knives
“Here’s your shot at doin’ things fair. You and me, one-on-one. Winner takes the woman p>
“You want to fight me?” Hank asked, disbelief warring with amusement. “You must’ve taken a good whack to the head p>
“Yup,” Alex replied, letting his jacket slip off. “And to make it fair, I won’t use a drop of my real power. Regular old fists, no tricks p>
Hank threw back his head and laughed, voice booming. “By all means, hero. Step right up. We’ll bury your body out back p>
The onlookers muttered in anticipation, gathering around to watch like it was some boozy saloon brawl.
A few thugs stepped into a makeshift ring, while others snatched wine bottles from
the table, popping them open and laughing like they’d scored front-row seats to a carnival show.
Standing off to the side, Jasper watched with growing irritation.
He had two clear objectives. First, to humiliate the Kingston family, proving they couldn’t protect their own.
That would sow doubt among the locals, making them question Kingston’s power and driving them to align with the Drake family, backed by the Lord of Vermont.
Second, to claim Sophia Lancaster-Vancouver’s most stunning woman-as his personal trophy.
Her presence here was mere coincidence, but he saw no reason not to seize the opportunity and take her home as well.
This idiot Alex was messin’ with his schedule.
“You damn fool,” Jasper called out, sneering in Alex’s direction.
“Lay another finger on Hank, and I promise you, I’ll see every last person in your family gutted like hogs p>
Alex snorted, shaking his head like he’d heard the best joke in the world.
“Try it. They’d chew through your entire gang before breakfast. Every single one of ’em p>
The thugs shot one another uneasy looks, unsure if Alex was bluffing or downright crazy.
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Chapter 125
The truth was, Alex was taken in by a reclusive master, Joling a group of disciples who became his makeshift. family.
Trained under the same master, each disciple was a legend in their own right, bound together by shared discipline and loyalty rather than blood.
They were monsters-powerful enough to crush the entire Drake’s family as if it were nothing more than a morsel between their teeth.
“You cocky son of a-” Jasper growled.
“You think you’re tough now, but once we get our hands on you, you’ll be begging
for death. Every punch you throw will cost you a limb,” the thug growled.
Alex responded with nothing but a smirk, calmly rolling up his sleeves and popping the top buttons of his shirt with practiced ease.
“Sounds fair to me,” he said, spreading his arms wide in a mocking gesture of invitation.
“Go ahead-knock me down if you can. If I can’t handle you, feel free to take any limb you like p>
His mind drifted to the mountain where he’d trained from childhood, recalling his master’s chilling words:
If you walk down this mountain and get yourself killed, blame no one but your own weakness.
Jasper gave a bitter, humorless laugh. “All right, big shot. Keep flappin’ your gums. When this is over, you’ll be screamin’ just like the rest p>
Still rolling out the tension in his neck, Alex calmly stated, “See, you scum love to
rule by fear. But fear’s my pet, and I’m the captain of my own soul and body. I don’t bow to the likes of you.
Without so much as a warning, Alex shot forward in a blur of movement-no fancy powers, just raw speed.
His fist slammed into Hank’s jaw with a crack that made half the crowd flinch.
Hank’s teeth hit the floor alongside the rest of him. Lights out.
Silence stole over the crowd as Alex dusted off his knuckles, then set his gaze on Jasper.
He lifted one finger and crooked it in silent challenge.
“Your move. Man to man,” he said, voice low and steady. “Unless you’re too yella
to take me on p>
Jasper’s face twisted in rage, but there was no mistaking the quiver of doubt
creeping into his eyes. And in that moment, the entire crowd knew the tables had
turned by this fearless man.
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