James burst into the room. His face contorted with rage. His eyes darted to
Reese, a wave of relief washing over him as he confirmed her safety and a silent exhale escaped his lips.
A group of individuals trailed behind him.
Magnus, startled by the abrupt entrance, began, "Mr. King, what is the "
His words were cut short as James swiftly closed the distance between them, snatching a wine bottle and
shattering it against Magnus's head in one fluid motion.
Crimson liquid traced a path down Magnus's forehead as James delivered a powerful kick, sending him sprawling
to the floor.
Magnus attempted to regain his footing, but James wasn't giving him any chance. Holding another bottle, James
swung it with force, relentlessly attacking Magnus. Caught off guard and overwhelmed by James's unbridled
ferocity, Magnus found himself on the receiving end of an unforgiving beating.
With the finality of a storm passing, James hurled the empty bottle at Magnus, his voice a chilling edge in the air.
"If you're so eager to meet your end, rise and face me. If | spare you today, my nisn't King."
The room fell into a stunned silence, the onlookers paralyzed by a mix of shock and fear.
As the others watched, frozen in place, James pivoted on his heel, his attention now centered on Reese. He
forcefully kicked and punched his way through the group surrounding her.
Reese noticed a drop of blood staining the amethyst earring on James's ear, a stark reminder of the lengths he
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtwent to protect her. At that moment, her gaze met his, and she felt a surge of genuine gratitude.
She gradually picked herself up from the floor, her attire askew and her breathing ragged. Struggling to steady
her breath, Reese found her voice, her words carrying a sincerity she seldom revealed. "Thank you, James."
James, his anger still smoldering, retorted, "Reese, what possessed you, a young woman, to cto a place like
this at this hour? Are you out of your mind?"
The shift in James's tone wasn't lost on Reese. He had always addressed her with either playful banter or friendly
camaraderie, often affectionately referring to her as "Little Sister Lia."
Reese's heart warmed with gratitude and she reiterated, "Seriously, thank you, James."
However, James's stern expression didn't waver.
Undeterred, Reese continued, "I acknowledge my recklessness tonight. We all make mistakes in life. Initially, |
didn't want the company to be involved, hoping to handle this discreetly. But | never anticipated it escalating to
this point. | was wrong."
James's gaze remained fixed on Reese, a storm of emotions raging beneath his exterior. This was the first time
James had seen Reese in such a dire situation. Despite the trouble he had caused her, it was insignificant
compared to the cruelty of Magnus. Reese had never experienced true darkness, and he couldn't help but
wonder what she felt at that moment.
Before he could respond, his attention shifted to Magnus, who lay battered on the ground, blood staining his
face. "Since he seems to enjoy stripping people, let's return the favor. Let him dangle from the Switzerland
Bridge overnight."
Without hesitation, one of James's aides immediately moved to grab Magnus, dragging him away and heading
outside.
Wracked with agony and fury, Magnus struggled against James's bodyguards' grip. Fuming with anger, he issued
a weak threat, "James, you dare..."
"There's nothing | won't dare. If you so much as lay a finger on anyone under my protection, | won't hesitate to
end you." James's gaze bore into Magnus with an intensity that could freeze fire.
With that, Magnus was forcibly dragged away, leaving the room in an eerie silence, the fear palpable among
those who remained.
Shifting his attention back to Reese, James's features softened slightly, the fire in his eyes tempered by a more
composed demeanor. "Let's go, Reese. No need to linger in this wretched place."
Reese suppressed the turbulent storm of emotions within her and obediently followed his lead.
As they exited the room, Reese gleaned a clearer understanding of the sequence of events. She discovered that
a young heir had been present with Magnus. The sindividual was also present during her first encounter
with James, where he pressured her to drink. He had reported the situation in their group chat, which spurred
James into action, propelling him to her aid. James had been at a neighboring bar and had rushed to her side
after being informed of the situation.
Despite his initial offer to accompany her home, Reese opted to drive herself, a choice James respected without
protest. He escorted her to her car, his tone earnest. "Stay vigilant, Reese. Magnus is not a man to
underestimate. Steer clear of him in the future."
Reese acknowledged his counsel with a nod, her voice steady. "I'll keep my distance from him in the future."
After a moment's contemplation, James inquired, his gaze probing. "Is his fixation on you tied to Lukas?"
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmReese's eyes widened in surprise at the unexpected question.
"Don't look so shocked. My guess isn't far off, is it? Magnus and Lukas share sunsettled scores. Earlier this
year, Lukas and Elias ventured into the gaming industry, releasing a series of hit games that unexpectedly
outshone Magnus's company in a matter of months," James continued, his irritation evident. "Lukas's dominance
in the jewelry sector, coupled with his venture into gaming, has rubbed Magnus the wrong way. He's out for
blood, aiming to topple Lukas. Both companies are now launching similar competitive games around the same
time, and it's projected to be a cutthroat rivalry."
James turned to Reese with a severe expression. "Magnus harbors a deep resentment towards Lukas. While he
can't confront him directly, he's using you as leverage. Reese, | get it - Lukas might treat you well, but you don't
need to put your life on the line for him. Don't entangle yourself in their feud. Look at what transpired tonight -
it's dangerous. Hearout. Maintain your distance from Lukas. It's for your own good, trust me."
Reese absorbed James's words, sensing his underlying concern and effort to connect. She pressed her lips
together, her response measured. "I'll exercise more caution, James."
It was the best compromise she could offer. She understood his intentions, but her commitment to Lukas, backed
by their legal union, wasn't something she could simply dismiss.
Sensing her unyielding stance, James grumbled in frustration. "Fine, go on then. I've had enough of your
presence for one night."
Reese couldn't help but chuckle, her response tender. "James, you may project a devil-may-care image, but
beneath it all, you're a genuinely good person."
James's exasperated chuckle reverberated through the hallway. "Reese, are you complimentingor mocking
me? And now you're handinga 'Good Person’ certificate?"