Matthias glanced at the charging Cole, his eyes flickering with disdain."Hmph! Anyone who causes trouble in our turf will pay the price!" Stuart sneered.However, his expression froze in the next instant.As Cole's fist was about to hit Matthias, the young man moved with lightning speed. Before they could process what was happening, Matthias had already kicked Cole square in the face.With a loud thud, Cole's body flew backward, crashing into a group of people. Blood spurted from his mouth as he stared at Matthias in shock, realizing the man had been holding back his true strength all along.Matthias calmly glanced at the severely injured Cole, then turned to Stuart with a mocking tone."Is that all? Does the great Reilley family of Reirmunt have anyone who can actually fight?"The Reilley family members fell silent, staring at Matthias in fear. This young man had single-handedly taken down half their security force and severely injured their prized fighter with a single kick.
The Reilley family members' faces turned ashen, but they dared not speak, fearing Matthias' wrath given his strength.Matthias glanced at them with disdain before turning to Nadine."Mrs. Nadine, Leona and Dani have missed you since you left so suddenly last time. Let's go."Nadine hesitated, looking between the Reilleys and Leona's hopeful gaze. She bit her lip and decided to follow Matthias and her family out.Once outside, Nadine said, "Matt, you were too reckless today. I was ready to sell all my company shares and return to Havenwood with you, never to return to Reirmunt."The Reilley family was unprepared this time, and they surely won't let this go. Once they show their true power, you'll have nowhere to hide. You might even endanger Leona and Dani.""Mrs. Nadine, don't worry. The Reilley family isn't a concern," Matthias replied calmly."Grandma, Daddy is very strong. He's a hero. Bad people can't hurt us," Dani said with a smile.Nadine wanted to say more, but Matthias
Hearing Stuart's order, Carlile grew agitated. "Dad, Matthias is just a freeloader. How could he possibly have any significant background?""A freeloader? Would a mere freeloader possess such strength that left our hundred-plus guards helpless?" Stuart glared at Carlile.Carlile tried to speak again, but Stuart waved him off."Don't forget about Dalton. When he first returned, both the Archer and Garcia families underestimated him. Look what happened then."Carlile immediately fell silent, and the other Reilley family members grew thoughtful.They recalled how Dalton had been looked down upon when he returned to the Archer family after his imprisonment.He always acted recklessly, quick to confront his opponents. That behavior provoked both the Archer and Garcia families to turn against him.Yet, to everyone's shock, Dalton turned out to be a warlord from New Avalbourne's military, easily overpowering both families and stunning many of Reirmunt's influential clans.Stuart's wor
However, ten years ago, Matthias was told that Dexter fell ill and died."Uncle Wyatt, Dexter," Matthias whispered to himself.He felt a wave of regret, wishing he had understood more when he was younger. He would never have allowed Oswald and Wyatt to use Dexter as his stand-in.Dexter had not died from illness, as everyone believed. Ten years ago, Wyatt had arranged for Dexter to take Matthias' place. In a sense, Matthias owed his life to Wyatt, who had sacrificed his own son to save him.Alpha drove them to a bustling market area. As evening fell, a middle-aged couple served customers at their barbecue stand. The man tended the grill while the woman handled the customers.Matthias and Alpha quietly approached the stand.The woman, Elizabeth Holt, greeted them warmly, "What would you like, gentlemen? Feel free to order anything."She glanced at their clean, expensive-looking clothes, wondering why such well-to-do men would eat at a humble place like this. Nonetheless, they wer
Clinton's men smashed everything in sight."Clinton, please don't wreck this place! I know I messed up, but if you destroy my stand, I won't be able to make money to pay you!" Wyatt pleaded desperately, crawling toward Clinton despite having just been slapped to the ground.Clinton spat contemptuously and sneered at Wyatt. "Why should I care? You brought this onto yourself. We're trashing your stand today, and if you still can't pay up tomorrow, who knows? I might sell your daughter off.""No! Please, Clinton, I'm begging you. Noelle's still young—she's only in college. If you've got a problem, take it out on me. Leave her out of it," Wyatt begged, his face paled with fear.Clinton grinned wickedly and said, "College girls fetch a good price, you know. Noelle is gorgeous, and I bet I can get top dollar for her if you hand her to me."Meanwhile, Elizabeth was trying to stop Clinton's men from wrecking everything, but a young guy with dyed blond hair, Ethan, kicked her to the ground
Clinton was confident in his powerful connections, believing that even if that young man were from some influential family, he had picked the wrong fight and better be ready to lose both legs.He smirked and said in a mocking tone, "Wyatt, why do you put yourself through this? The Lowell family offered you a butler position several times. If you'd accepted, you wouldn't be in this mess now.""Please, Clinton," Wyatt begged on his knees. "I know I messed up. Just let the young man go; he's not involved in this."He ignored Clinton's mention of the Lowell family because that was never an option for him. Instead, he just felt terrible for dragging that stranger into his troubles."Oh, Wyatt, you can't even help yourself, and you're worried about others? Think about what's going to happen to Noelle tonight! As for this clueless kid, you'll be watching him beg for mercy soon enough."Clinton laughed and pulled up a chair, ready to enjoy the show. He could already picture the young man
Matthias was like a madman, grabbing Clinton's hair and shoving his face into the floor. Within seconds, Clinton's face was a bloody mess."Stop! Please stop! I'm sorry! I was wrong!" Clinton begged, truly frightened by Matthias.Matthias released Clinton and glared at him.As Clinton tried to stand, Matthias barked, "On your knees when you speak to me!"Clinton's knees hit the ground with a thud. He looked up at Matthias fearfully and shouted, "I'm sorry, sir. I was wrong!"Matthias stared coldly at him. He gestured at Wyatt and Elizabeth, commanding, "Apologize to them!"The couple stood beside Matthias, stunned by the scene before them. They looked at Matthias in confusion, unsure why that stranger was helping them."I'm so sorry!" Clinton turned to the couple, his voice filled with apparent sincerity. "Mr. Armstrong, I'm at fault. I'm sorry!"Despite his words, a glint of malice flashed in Clinton's eyes. Being forced to apologize to someone like Wyatt was utterly humiliati
'You saved me once. From now on, I'll protect you for life!' Matthias silently vowed.Alpha led Wyatt and Elizabeth away. As they left, the couple cast worried and guilty glances at Matthias, murmuring about how they had dragged that young man into their mess.Once they were gone, Matthias turned to Clinton, radiating an intense aura of menace.Meanwhile, a crowd had gathered around the food stand—all Clinton's men. They clutched various weapons, glaring at Matthias as if he were already dead.Clinton crawled backward until he reached his men, then stood up. His face twisted with rage, and he finally regained his confidence. He had the strength in numbers and refused to believe Matthias could defeat them all."Now, try repeating what you said earlier!"I don't care who you are. Today, I'm teaching you a lesson! Get him! Don't kill him—just cripple him!"A roar went up from over a hundred voices. "Yes, Clinton!"The mob surged toward Matthias, but he remained unfazed. He turned