As Zack's hand slid through Alice's thighs, fury simmered within Chris—an anger that stirred the Dragon inside him, growing more intense with every passing second.
Zack glanced up at Chris, observing the tension etched into his face while his hands lingered on Alice's body. The moment their eyes locked, Chris clenched his jaw, ready to issue a command of violence—but a sudden knock at the door halted him.
"Sir, I think the event is about to begin!" a voice called from outside, disrupting the growing fire of his rage.
Alice paused, shooting Zack a seductive glance that promised they'd resume their little moment after the event.
Today marked a monumental day for Zack—he was launching his new company. The event was buzzing with excitement, graced by the presence of many prominent figures. Karen and Ava had already arrived at the banquet, dressed to impress with elegance dripping from every thread.
As they admired the banquet hall's grandeur, Ava's eyes found Chris standing beside the stage. A strange pang struck her chest. She felt a twinge of guilt seeing him in that position, though she understood why he had to remain under her mother's thumb.
While her gaze lingered on him, layered with emotions she couldn't quite decipher, Alice descended the stairs gracefully, her hand looped around Zack's arm. They walked with an air of royalty—like an English couple straight out of a romance novel.
But as Alice approached Chris, fate twisted its ankle—she tripped, teetering dangerously before Chris caught her mid-fall.
"Are you okay?" he asked, their eyes locking again, tension sparking between them.
"Let go of me!" Alice snapped, pushing his hands off her and scrambling back to Zack's side.
"How dare you place your filthy feet so I'd trip, huh?" she barked, her voice rising sharply and drawing the attention of nearby guests.
"I didn't—" Chris began.
"Shut your trap, Chris!" Alice interjected, jabbing her finger in his direction. "You've never been happy for my success, but wishing me death? That's a new low!"
"If I wanted you to fall, I wouldn't have caught you!" Chris retorted firmly. "How does that equal wishing you harm?"
Zack wasted no time. He grabbed Chris by the collar, fury dripping from his voice. "Did you just speak to my girl like that? I employed you as a guard, and yet you still—"
"I don't see why you're grabbing my shirt," Chris cut him off, knocking Zack's hand away. "Your so-called girl tripped on purpose. She just wants to stir up drama." His tone darkened. "Believing her is like trusting a tortoise to fly."
"Excuse you?" Alice shot back instantly. "Did you just call me a liar?" She lunged forward, prepared to strike, but Zack held her back.
Zack stepped in closer, his gaze burning into Chris's. "End this nonsense now and apologize to Alice. Right now."
"I refuse to apologize," Chris said calmly, glaring at Zack with defiance. "I stand by the truth."
The guests were stunned into silence, then exploded into hushed murmurs.
"This boy is stupidly brave," someone whispered.
"He actually said no? He's doomed!" another murmured.
The murmuring grew louder, like a river breaking its banks. Zack's face darkened, but Chris stood unfazed.
"I'm giving you one more chance," Zack growled. "Say sorry to Alice, or your salary is getting slashed."
"You can slash my salary for the next 700 years," Chris declared, "but I will not apologize to her!"
The sharp sound of a slap cracked through the hall.
"You idiotic fool of a son!" Karen shouted, her hand still raised, finger now pointing in Chris's face.
"You'd give up your salary instead of apologizing for something you did? What kind of pride is this, huh?" she yelled, ignoring Ava's attempts to calm her down.
Chris stared at her, rage bubbling just beneath the surface. Karen's voice didn't let up.
"You'll do as you're told! Get on your filthy knees and ask Miss Alice for mercy!"
Still, Chris didn't budge.
"Do it! Right now!" she screamed.
Slowly, Chris moved. Every step was deliberate, his expression neutral, almost regretful. Alice smirked, basking in her perceived power, while Ava watched her with quiet disgust.
Alice looked pleased—too pleased. Her ex-husband was about to kneel before her, just as she once had before him after his release from jail.
Chris stopped in front of her. Alice folded her arms, staring down at him with the smugness of a queen waiting for her subject to grovel.
But everything flipped the moment Chris raised his hand and pointed at her.
"Like I said," he spoke with clarity, "I'd rather stay poor than ask you for mercy."
Alice's arms dropped in shock. Gasps echoed through the hall.
"You said what?" she forced herself to sound indignant.
"I will not, and will never bow to someone like you," Chris said coldly. "Let alone beg you for mercy."
"If you won't do as she said," Zack interrupted angrily, "then I'm informing you now—your payment is hereby diminished!"
"I don't give a damn," Chris shot back, spinning around to leave.
"Stop!" Alice's voice rang out behind him.
Chris halted and turned.
Alice strode toward him, extending her palm.
"Where is my diamond necklace?" she asked, hitting Chris with a surprise he hadn't expected.
"What necklace are you talking about?" he asked, drawing more attention from the guests.
"You know what I'm talking about. But if I must explain further, I will," Alice snapped, pulling a small box from her luxurious handbag.
Opening it, she revealed a necklace box.
"This necklace is worth $300. My man got it for me. I'm certain you stole it when I tripped!" she accused, her voice rising.
"Do you have any proof I stole your necklace?" Chris asked steadily.
"Oh, I do," she answered confidently. "It's on you."
Without waiting, she shoved her hand into his right shorts pocket.
When her hand emerged, she held up the sparkling necklace and raised it high for everyone to see.
"This cheap ex-convict stole my necklace!" she declared loudly.
"Everyone, look! He stole it!" she repeated, then turned back to Chris, her glare cutting deep.
"You thought you were clever?" she sneered. "Well, I'm smarter, you cheap ex-convict!"