The man stepped forward, rolling one fist slowly inside the other palm, like he was warming up something that had been resting for a long time.
"Kid." His voice was deep and unhurried. "This one punch — you should feel honored. I don't waste it on ordinary people." He looked Alexander over from head to foot. "But today I'm in a generous mood. Think of it as a privilege. At least you'll die knowing what a real hit feels like."
"Is that so?" Alexander said calmly.
Nadia's feet shifted on the floor. What kind of arrogant man is this? she thought. You're staring death in the face, yet you still dare to brag. She looked at him with clear disgust. Thank God the bodyguard I found for Elena is already nearby. This kid should just pray he arrives on time... if not, he is doomed.
"Stop it, Alexander," Elena said quietly. "Don't go any further," she said quietly to him. "This is not a bluff. This man has a real record. He is not someone to take lightly."
She gently pulled Alexander behind her, then turned to face the man.
Alexander swallowed hard.
Elena lifted her chin. "I am Elena Carter, CEO of Carter Group. And this is my personal bodyguard. Please forgive him — he is still learning this world." She paused, letting the words breathe.
Alexander blinked. She had just said that about him. He pointed at his own chest slowly. Behind her back. Me? He said silently, he just had to swallow the insult.
"You are a man people look up to. After that championship, your name carried real weight. When people are afraid, when they feel cornered and small, seeing someone like you walking into a room is already enough to give them hope." Her voice softened without losing its strength. Please don't lower yourself to fight against the very people you are meant to protect. So, I ask you to think carefully and consider this."
The room had gone completely quiet. Her words felt like a calm breeze in the middle of a storm. Even the fighter couldn't resist the power in them. His expression had shifted. Those words had landed somewhere real.
Then Drake laughed.
"Brilliant." He clapped slowly, still smiling. "I had no idea you had such a wasting talent. If I had known earlier, I would have hired you to give motivational speeches at my father's company events." He laughed again, and the fighter laughed too, the tension breaking into something uglier. "You actually stood there and lectured the man I hired. How is it any of your business how he chooses to live his life? Was it with Carter Group's power that he won the championship? . Did Carter Group pay for his championship? Has your family ever written a single check to keep a fighter like him standing? Let me ask you this, how many times have you hired such respected fighters just to keep money flowing into their accounts?"
"This woman, you are quite a good talker," the fighter said. "You almost changed my mind just now. Almost took me from a bad man to a worse man." He laughed. Drake laughed along with him "I might hire you to talk down my opponents before my next fight. Soften them up before I even step in."
"Exactly," the drake said, nodding. "Destroy them with words first. I like that strategy. Don't worry I can offer you a favor by lending her to you."
"You—" Elena started.
"Yes, me." Drake spread his hands. "And what are you going to do about it?"
Elena said nothing. She had meant every word. She had given it everything she had. Elena couldn't say anything. She never imagined her gentle words would turn against her like this. And it had even been turned into a joke in front of everyone.
"Since you won't listen to good advice and choose to be a responsible citizen, then there is no need for you to compete this year," Alexander said calmly.
They burst into laughter.
I'm sick and tired of this," Drake said to his fighter. "Just give them what you've got."
The man's expression suddenly turned serious. "I think this family has chosen not to exist anymore by offending Young Master Drake."
Drake straightened his shoulders and adjusted his clothes with pride.
As planned, the man started his mere threat as he raised his hands, invoking a power that seemed to warp the very air around him. Suddenly, the room was filled with a violent, supernatural breeze. Hair whipped across faces and clothes billowed wildly as the family staggered back, shaken to their core.
"This is my killing technique," Alexander's voice rang out, cold and absolute. "Once it is released, forget about taking a single breath for another second."
Margaret gripped her skirt. Her eyes were wide with fear. "Our security is still right outside!" she cried, her voice shaken. "If you touch any of us, neither of you will leave this house alive!"
Drake sneered, though his hand trembled. "I see you have backup? Where are they? Let them come and try to save you!"
Robert, watching the air ripple around the man, shook his head solemnly. "The security we have is no match for this gentleman," he said.
"I don't believe he can take down all of them!" Margaret argued.
"Forget it!" Robert said. "Don't be naive. All we need to do is make peace."
Harlan moved first.
He crossed the room quickly and dropped to one knee in front of Drake, his head lowered. "Please — this has nothing to do with my mother or me, does it?"
Veronica was right behind him, kneeling before he had even finished speaking. "Young Master Drake, we have supported you from the beginning. You know that. We have always been on your side."
Clara watched them, her heart racing. She nudged her husband, Mark, sharply in the ribs, trying to catch his attention without making a scene. "Husband," she whispered urgently, "we need to go out there and make peace right now."
Mark remained silent, his face pale, but Clara gave him a firm, gentle shove. He cleared his throat and they both stepped forward.
"Young Master Drake—" Clara started, then caught herself and smiled wider. her voice dripping with a forced, sugary sweetness as she quickly changed her tone. "Our in-law. My husband and I deeply apologize for any offense."
"Yes, yes." Mark straightened his collar and put on the most genuine smile he could manage. "Honestly, in my heart, I have always believed you were the only man truly worthy of Elena." Clara elbowed him again at his side, cutting him off before he could say too much.
"Sorry! Young master Drake. What my husband means," she corrected quickly, "is that Elena is lucky to have a man of your caliber interested in her."