I hung up the phone and coldly stared at ine.


    After what happened with Felicia that day, I started to realize something. If I kept staying quiet and low profile, I wouldn''t be able to protect the people I cared


    about.


    At the very least, when it was time, I needed to act. I couldn''t just stand by and take it.


    The women crossed their arms and red at me skeptically. "Fighters? What are you talking about? Stop pretending."


    "That''s hrious. He must''ve gotten scared when he heard that ine was calling for help and is now just putting on a show."


    "Seriously. How could he act tough when he had to steal money just to buy some clothes for his girlfriend? If he were really that tough, why didn''t he show up when Felicia was beatenst night?"


    I froze for a moment, then immediately turned to Felicia. "You were bulliedst night? Did someone hit you?"


    Felicia lowered her gaze, her face pale. "It''s nothing," she whispered.


    "Is it because they thought I stole the money? Did they bully you because of that?" I asked.


    I was shocked. The guys might have doubted me, but they didn''t do anything. However, the women went so far as to actuallyy hands on Felicia, and I had no idea about it.


    "Why didn''t you tell me?" I demanded.


    I grabbed her shoulder, feeling both angry and anxious. "I''m your boyfriend, and you didn''t tell me about this."


    Felicia''s eyes welled up with tears as she spoke. "Didn''t you break up with mest night?"


    "I..." I was momentarily at a loss for words.


    "It was my faultst night. I''m sorry. I won''t say anything like that again. From now on, I officially dere that you''re my girlfriend!" I said firmly, looking her in the eye.


    Her eyes lit up, and a smile finally appeared on her face. "Really?" she asked.


    I nodded. "Yeah. I''ll take you to Imperia Manor sometime, and you''ll see what''s going on," I said, trying to reassure her.


    I didn''t want to exin too much as I knew that she probably wouldn''t believe me.


    As we talked, a suddenmotion came from the door. Over ten people walked into the restaurant. Unlike the previous thugs, these men were dressed normally, but they were tall and muscr. Clearly, they weren''t just any average thugs- they were people with real skill.


    "Mr. Russo!" ine greeted, rushing over to them.


    "What brings you here personally?" she asked eagerly.


    Frankie Russo had a scar on his face and a cigarette dangling from his mouth. He red at me and growled, "Mr. Rizzo sent me. He said his goddaughter was being bullied and told me to help you get some revenge. So, where''s the idiot who did this?"


    ine immediately pointed at me. "Dominic really cares about me," she said. "Mr. Russo, it''s him. He hit me just now!"


    Frankie looked me up and down, sneering. "This guy? You called me here for him?"


    He shook his head and swaggered up to me. "Ms. Fowler, how do you want me to deal with him?"


    ine''s eyes burned with malice as she said, "First, blind him in one eye."


    Frankie scoffed. "Is that all? You''re going too easy on him." He took the cigarette from his mouth and raised the burning tip, aiming it directly at my eye.