There was a deafening silence in the private room a quiet so intense it could''ve shattered ss.


    Shock had stolen every word from their tongues; the spectacle they''d just witnessed had left them stunned, breathless.


    Moments ago, Shane stood tall as their hero, an idol of raw streng, strutting like a champion but now hey sprawled on the floor, beaten and discarded like a mangy dog.


    Who the hell was this bald beast that demolished Shane with such ruthless ease?


    "I''m Kelly. State your purpose clearly," Kelly demanded, her voice steady but edged with ice.


    The towering brute turned slowly, his leering eyes crawling over Kelly''s curves, dripping with crude hunger.


    "Such beauty wasted in this ce," he sneered lustfully.


    Then his gaze slid sideways, recognizing another familiar face.


    "Be Kane? Good. Saves me the trouble of hunting you down. Your old man owes me plenty."


    “Enough!” Kelly snapped, stepping fiercely in front of Be, shielding her protectively.


    "Spit it out, what the hell are you doing here?".


    The brute grinned viciously. "Rumor has it Jericho Kane has stepped down from his throne in Vermont''s underworld. Tommy here is my man-he''ll be taking over the Vermont underground. As the new governor, you''d better agree to let him control the underworld."


    Kelly''s eyes shed with contemptuous amusement, "Tommy? That gutless puppet as crime boss? Who really sent you, coward?


    11


    The massive thug stepped closer, his filthy fingers caressing Kelly''s chin mockingly.


    "Pretty faces shouldn''t ask ugly questions, sweetheart-it''s dangerous..." His smug threat was cut short by his own sudden shrill cry, humiliatingly feminine, echoing off the walls.


    Every soul in the room jolted in shock.


    Alex stood silently beside Kelly, his fingers locked around the brute''s hand,


    twisting it downward with merciless strength.


    Bones snapped audibly, like dry twigs underfoot.


    "Who the fuck are you?!" the brute howled in agony, his arrogance shattered.


    "I''m this woman''s bodyguard," Alex whispered coldly, tightening his grip, "and you don''t get to touch what''s mine."


    "Die, you bastard!" the brute roared desperately, driving a massive fist toward Alex''s face, confident it would crush him like cheap ss.


    But Alex caught the iing blow effortlessly, his palm like iron shackles around the giant''s knuckles.


    With casual cruelty, Alex slowly squeezed, crushing bone into dust beneath his unyielding grip.


    The brute wailed pitifully, writhing like an insect caught beneath a merciless boot.


    Already on his knees, the brute panted and groaned helplessly, his crushed hand limp under Alex''s relentless hold.


    "Why''s a tough guy like you screaming like a schoolgirl?" Be mocked sharply, her eyes glittering with disdain.


    Everyone else shared the same thought.


    "Shut up," Alex moved his hand, delivering a vicious p that resounded with thunderous finality.


    The titan copsed instantly, sprawling unconscious on the polished floor.


    "What a waste," Alex sneered, dusting his hands clean as if brushing off dirt.


    "Looks like a bear, fights like a child, and screams like a woman.''


    The hall remained frozen, eyes wide with shock.


    Be, Shane-who was just staggering to consciousness-and everyone else stared at Alex, dumbstruck and speechless.


    They''d watched a fearsome giant copse like wet paper beneath a slender nobody.


    Impossible. They had to be dreaming.


    "How...how is this possible?" Shane gasped, his face twisted with disbelief and wounded pride.


    He''d just felt firsthand the strength of that monstrous brute, yet Alex demolished him effortlessly,


    A doctor, scrawny and meek, had crippled their invincible tormentor-this humiliation defied logic itself.


    Scarlett stood aghast, her disdainful assumptions about Alex shatteredpletely.


    She''d dismissed him as amon thug, a worthless cheat; never in her wildest nightmares did she imagine he possessed such lethal power.


    He was leagues beyond her.


    "Alex, you''re amazing!" Be squealed, eyes sparkling with genuine awe.


    Around her, the other girls began murmuring appreciatively, casting admiring nces his way.


    Ufortable under their newfound adoration, Alex strode calmly toward the fallen brute and struck him hard on the head.


    "Wake up!" hemanded.


    The big man jolted awake from his unconscious state, dazed and gasping.


    Alex leaned in close, his voice a low, dangerous whisper. "Tell me, who sent you?"


    "If you knew, you''d be dead already!" the thug snarled defiantly through broken teeth.


    Alex smiled darkly.


    "You''re a dead man either way. Speak up, and I might spare your worthless life.


    Keep silent, and I''ll end you myself right here, right now."


    The brute hesitated, dread flickering in his bloodshot eyes.


    Alex nced pointedly at Kelly, smirking knowingly. "Rx. Vermont''s new


    governor will ensure your protection-if you cooperate."


    Doubt lingered, and the brute''s fearful eyes flicked nervously toward certain faces


    in the crowd.


    Those faces paled instantly, subtly reaching to make urgent, panicked phone calls-none of it escaping Alex''s sharp gaze.


    Atst, desperation broke the brute.


    "Fine," he muttered, sweat pouring down his battered face. "I''ll tell you


    everything-just promise Kelly will protect me."


    "Agreed," Kelly said coldly, knowing full well this thug was nothing more than disposable bait.


    She wanted the puppeteer who pulled his strings.


    The brute drew a deep, trembling breath. "Truth is, the one who ordered me here


    was


    His voice was cut off violently as the doors crashed open, wood splintering violently from their hinges.


    Henry Dupont stormed into the hall, an elite squad of bodyguards ushing behind him, their weapons gleaming dangerously.


    "How dare you touch Be Kane!" Henry snarled, eyes aze with fury. Without hesitation, he drew a gleaming pistol and unloaded multiple rounds into the brute''s helpless body, shredding flesh and bone into a bloody pulp. Gasps and screams filled the room as gore sttered the floor like spilled wine. Alex''s gaze sharpened suspiciously, lips drawn tight.


    Had Henry just silenced the thug permanently?


    "Be, are you alright?" Henry asked urgently, masking brutality with concern.


    “We''re fine,” Be replied tensely, eyes narrowing with suspicion. “What are you doing here?"


    Henry''s smile faltered under her sharp gaze. "I got word someone''s trying to seize Vermont''s underworld-targeting you and your father. Naturally, I rushed over immediately."


    Be eyed him coldly. "Since when do you care?"


    Henry feigned offense.


    "Of course I care! My father already spoke to yours-if your father agrees, we''re practically engaged. I have every right to protect you."


    Alex''s voice sliced through the tension like a de, dangerously calm andced with usation.


    "Did you silence this thug because you were afraid he''d name you as his master, Henry?"


    A deadly silence settled once again, heavier and darker, as every eye fell on Henry, suspicion simmering beneath the deceptive calm.