Julie hopped onto the motorcycle as Rowan revved the engine, weaving through the bustling crowd. The pedestrian street was packed, and the alleys twisted like a maze, forcing pedestrians to step aside.


    buying your bike."


    Spotting themotion, Christen yanked off the fake belly she had strapped on, quickly deducing Rowan''s next move, and took a shortcut to cut him off. Just in time, Dailey showed up, noticing a young guy with another motorcycle. He tossed him a wad of cash, "I''m In a rush to catch up with Julie, Dailey didn''t bother exining,mandeering the motorcycle and taking Christen along for the chase.


    Christen asked, "Why did that guy, who''s with Julie, take a hit for her?"


    She was puzzled. Even if Rowan hadn''t intervened, the thick fake belly would have stopped any stab.


    Dailey was just as confused. "That guy''s with Asher, and so is Julie. I thought he was going to hurt you."


    Back in Crescent Bay, Dailey hadn''t seen his face, only exchanged blows. It was through his fighting style that he recognized him now. But puzzling over why he took the hit wasn''t the priority-the goal was to catch Julie.


    Guided by Christen, Dailey took a shortcut and quickly caught up with Rowan. Rowan''s wound was bleeding heavily. The stab had been deep, and the fight with Dailey worsened it. If he lost too much blood, both he and Julie were done for. Seeing Dailey catching up, Julie panicked, "Rowan, hurry up, they''re on us!"


    "Shut up," Rowan snapped. "Who thought it was smart to go after Anastasia? Idiotic. Now you''ve exposed us both. Call Kun and get someone to back us up."


    Julie fumbled for her phone, scolding Rowan, "Why are you protecting her, Rowan? I''ve noticed you''re different with Anastasia. You got a thing for her? If Kun finds out, you know what happens."


    When Julie moved to stab Christen, Rowan did think it was Anastasia and instinctively protected her. He''d lived a hard life, and Anastasia was the first to show him kindness-something he''d never forget since Crescent Bay.


    For someone who''s dwelled in darkness, even a small act of warmth is unforgettable.


    "You''re overthinking it," Rowan retorted. "Just make the call."


    He couldn''t hold on much longer.


    Julie got through to Asher and exined the situation. Asher was furious, contemting dealing with Julie himself. He saw Rowan as an underling, but ultimately, he was family. He couldn''t just abandon him, so he sent backup. Rowan drove the motorcycle into an alley, with Dailey close behind. Unfamiliar with the area and hoping to lose Dailey through the turns, Rowan ended up in a dead-end.


    "Great, what now?" Julie cursed. "Just great, Anastasia wins this round."


    She still couldn''t figure out how she''d blown her cover to Anastasia.


    Rowan turned the bike around as Dailey, following closely, hit the brakes, leaving only a short distance between them. Their eyes met, tension crackling in the air.


    "Today, none of you are getting away. You won''tst much longer," Dailey said.


    Rowan smirked, "We''ll see about that."


    Dailey felt the thrill of facing a worthy opponent, gesturing for Christen to get off the bike. Rowan signaled for Julie to do the same.


    Julie, now off the bike, hid nearby. With no way back and Dailey blocking the front, escape seemed impossible without wings.


    Rowan checked his wound, took off his jacket, and tied it around his waist to slow the bleeding. Both men got off their bikes. Rowan flexed his legs, then charged at Dailey, who charged back. They shed again. But Rowan, weakened from blood loss, was no match for Dailey. After a few moves, he was down, spitting blood.


    Seeing this, Julie seized the chance while they fought, ditching Rowan and sprinting towards the alley''s exit.


    Christen spotted Julie''s escape attempt and gave chase. Before Julie could make it out, a car blocked her path...