Darren Crosier let out a bloodcurdling scream.
His entire body convulsed in agony.
He wanted nothing more than to roll on the ground.
"You'll pay for this!"
His trembling finger pointed accusingly at Ethan Sullivan.
The words died in his throat.
Ethan's gaze was colder than Arctic ice.
Darren shuddered violently.
Death itself seemed to stare back at him.
One more word might cost him his life.
An aura of lethal frost radiated from Ethan.
"If the lesson wasn't clear enough,"
"I can make sure you never forget."
Darren trembled like a leaf in a storm.
"Enough... please, enough..."
Nearby, Mrs. Winston turned pale.
The terrifying rumors flooded her mind.
Ethan was the calmest of madmen.
Outwardly serene.
Beneath the surface raged deadly currents.
One touch meant certain doom.
"It hurts like hell!"
Darren finally surrendered.
Grimacing through the pain, he begged.
"I was wrong. I'll apologize however you want."
"Please... lift your foot."
Ethan had struck with surgical precision.
Every blow targeted the most excruciating points.
Darren suspected his ribs were cracked.
Sophia Sullivan scoffed.
"Why waste time on trash like him?"
"You're only dirtying your shoes."
Ethan's eyes flashed dangerously.
"He dared disrespect you."
"He pays the price."
Sophia blinked in surprise.
Being defended felt... unexpectedly pleasant.
A commotion erupted in the distance.
"Mr. Crosier! What happened?"
A uniformed man rushed forward.
His badge identified him as staff.
The crowd recognized him immediately.
"It's the Deer Lake Mountain manager!"
Tension thickened the air.
Darren's spirits lifted instantly.
"Kevin! Finally!"
"These people attacked me!"
"Get them out of here!"
Kevin nodded frantically.
Then his blood ran cold.
Isabella Robinson of the Robinson Group.
Julian Roscente, heir to Radiant Beauty.
And Ethan Sullivan, CEO of Breeze Perfumes.
Any one of them could crush him.
Darren grew impatient.
"Stop gawking! Do something!"
Kevin's head throbbed.
He needed an easier target.
His eyes landed on Sophia.
"How dare you offend Mr. Crosier!"
He brandished his phone threateningly.
"Mr. Blanchet is coming!"
"Kneel and apologize now!"
Sophia watched with icy detachment.
Isabella stepped forward, furious.
"Stand back, Sophia."
"Let me handle this manager."
She rolled up her sleeves aggressively.
"You still dare act tough, you pig?"
Darren scrambled backward.
"Stay away..."
His body still ached terribly.
He could only shout from a distance.
"My uncle is Frederick Blanchet!"
His cowardice was pathetic.
Chloe Evans narrowed her eyes.
So Darren had powerful connections.
A plan formed in her mind.
"Don't be angry, sister."
"Sometimes it's better to yield."
"Just apologize and end this."
Her words sounded conciliatory.
But they were carefully calculated.
Implying Sophia was making a mountain out of a molehill.
Darren immediately puffed up again.
"Ms. Evans is right!"
"You're taking this too far!"