"Hey kid," one of the men said, pointing his knife at him. "In this life, something really will kill a man. So you really want to die for a beautiful lady?"
The other man beside him smiled and said, "What do you think? Dying for such an angel is the best thing that has ever happened to him in his whole life. So why not?" They both laughed.
"Enough talk," Alexander said calmly. "Come and fight."
They paused for a moment, then came after him.
Elena's heart jumped with fear. All she could think was that something terrible was about to happen to him. She quickly bent her face down and covered her head with both hands. too scared to watch.
Then everything became quiet.
Then came the sounds — grunts, sharp cracks, bodies hitting the floor hard.
Elena peeped through her fingers. The two men were already on the ground, twisting in pain, their knives scattered. Finally, she raised her head.
Drake froze in shock. The women stopped their message immediately. This was not the scene they were expecting to watch. Things had changed.
"Kill him," Drake gave the command.
The remaining six men pulled out their knives and rushed forward all at once, faces twisted with rage.
Elena squeezed her eyes shut, heart pounding so hard she could barely breathe. The only thing she heard was Drake's voice. "Bunch of losers! Don't tell me all of you together can't take down a single man? Shameless!" His finger was pointing at all of them on the ground.
Elena finally looked up, and her mouth flew open. She stared at all the men on the ground. All eight men were sprawled across the floor, groaning, holding broken wrists and bruised bodies. Alexander stood in the middle, completely untouched, breathing steadily. He calmly lifted his glass of drink and took a slow sip. Now she realized how he had been able to help her last night. He could really fight.
The women screamed and ran away. The entire bar erupted in loud cheers and shouts. "Hero!" "That guy is amazing!" People clapped and whistled.
Alexander stood there, watching the chaos as he took another sip.
He stepped forward.
"What? Stop right there, I warn you!" Drake shouted, his voice shaking badly. "See, kid, I know you have some skills, but I'm telling you — my family is not who you can afford to mess with."
"What can be so good about your family?" Alexander asked quietly. "Aren't they all just a bunch of useless people in society?"
"You—" Drake's face turned bright red.
A small laugh slipped out from Elena before she could stop it.
"Are you apologizing or not?" Alexander stepped closer, his presence suddenly feeling much bigger.
Drake stumbled back and fell onto the couch. "I'm warning you!" he yelled, pointing a trembling finger.
Alexander grabbed the finger and bent it back sharply. Drake screamed in pain. "Ahh! It hurts! I will apologize! I will apologize!"
Alexander let go.
But it never changed anything. Drake was still boasting. "My family has backup. Kid, let me tell you, you are finished."
"Yes!" one among the crowd said. "I heard his dad and Mr. Crane have now become sworn brothers. The Crane family is backed by the Vex family."
Another said, "I also heard that the Vex family is as close as blood to the Cole family, one of the most powerful families in San Francisco. Another voice from the crowd spoke up. "What a blessing from heaven. His family is about to skyrocket in this city."
A few people burst into laughter.
"This kid really chose the wrong person to offend," someone added. "All because of a beautiful woman."
Drake laughed, his pride swelling.
"Kid, you hear that?" he said smugly. "I told you."
Alexander just stood there scratching his ear as if their words itched him.
Then Elena stepped in. "Please just let it go. His father is heartless like him. We can't afford to offend them."
"Oh! I see. Like father, like son," Alexander said.
"Scared now, right?" Drake sneered. "Let me tell you, I will never forget this." He turned and stormed out of the bar.
Alexander turned to Elena.
She stepped closer immediately, both hands reaching for his arm as she checked him over.
"Are you okay?" she asked, worry clear in her voice.
"I'm fine," Alexander said, his tone sharp.
He looked straight at her.
"Why are you always in trouble?"
Elena's gaze dropped. The strength in her expression faded, her composure slipping.
"It's a family issue… never mind," she said quietly. Then she looked back at him. "But what are you going to do now? Drake won't let this go after the humiliation you caused him."
"Forget about trash," Alexander said. "They're not worth talking about."
He paused.
"You should head home first."
Then he stretched out his hand.
"Give me your phone. Take my number. If you're ever in trouble again, don't hesitate to call me."
Elena's eyes stayed on him.
Slowly, she reached into her bag, took out her phone, and placed it in his hand.
Is he not thinking about the danger he's in right now? she wondered. Or does he simply not care? Anyway, he was quite awesome, and as long as she was alive she would also do everything to protect his life.
Alexander saved his number quickly and handed the phone back. "That's my number. Alexander. Make sure you call."
Elena looked at the number, then at him. "Thank you. You are saving me for the second time now."
"It's nothing," he said.
Elena turned to leave, but after only a few steps her legs suddenly felt weak. Alexander caught her instantly, strong arms holding her steady. Their faces came very close for a moment. He gently helped her stand straight again.
"Are you okay? Can you go home by yourself?"
"It's fine. I just thought about my grandpa's condition."
"What happened to him?"
"It's a long story. Drake was supposed to save him but now there is no hope. According to the doctor, my grandpa won't last up to noon tomorrow."
"But don't worry," she said. "Tomorrow morning, I will mobilize all the forces and resources in the Carter Group to search for the best doctor in San Francisco. Any amount he wants, we will give it to him so long as he can get my grandpa well."
"There is a need for that," he replied gently. "I will treat him tomorrow morning."
"You don't understand. My grandpa's illness, even one of the top doctors in San Francisco couldn't handle it. Besides, you are not a doctor."
"Trust me, I can cure Grandpa."
"Forget it," she said, turning away with a heavy heart.
Alexander stood there watching her go, unable to believe she still doubted him. He raised his glass, looked at it for a moment, then went back to his seat. The crowd continued watching him like a hero, whispering in excitement.
"Young man, what are you doing here all alone? Are you supposed to be alone?" his master asked.
"What?" Alexander replied. "Old man, how many glasses have you taken just within this short time?"
"Are you calling me drunk? What do you take me for? Where is the girl you were chatting with just now? I thought you were discussing something reasonable about the future."
"Old man, stop playing around. You and I know I only went to help her."
"Silly boy, let me tell you, since you don't want to get married, forget about seeing your parents again."
"Old man, how can you be talking like this? I think you have had enough drink tonight. One, two, three, four bottles. That is enough. Let me take you home."
"What? Four bottles can take me down? Are you insulting me?" the old man protested. But before he could say another word, Alexander had already gently taken his arm and led him out of the bar. "Let's go home. Stop talking so you don't embarrass me in public." He guided him outside with care and respect.
"Fine. You will not see your parents again, unless you show me your wife. Let me tell you, I know where your parents are."
Alexander paused. "Do you really mean that?"
His master brushed Alexander's hand off his shoulder. "You think I'm drunk? When you finally settle down with a wife, then I will tell you where your parents are."
"So you knew where my parents were all these years?"
"I see," Alexander said, smiling big, almost celebrating. His hand went straight to his master's shoulder.
"Ush—" his master gushed, holding the place where Alexander had patted him playfully.
"So you kept my parents in your custody and allowed me to wander in pain?" Alexander added.
"Nonsense," his master said. "Your parents have been in the hands of your enemies, and you are here doing nothing but eating, sleeping, and waking up every day."
"You—!" Alexander said.
"Find a wife quickly before you lose your parents."
Before Alexander could say another word, the old man walked away.
Alexander stood there for a moment. To him, this man could not change. He would not just be straightforward for once. always frustrating.
"Old man!" Alexander quickly turned and hurried to meet him. "You couldn't even wait? Just going like that…"
But the old man had already disappeared into the night.
Where did he go?
Alexander turned around, put both hands on his waist, and looked down at the ground. Then he looked up, spread his two hands wide, and shouted aloud into the sky, "What do you want from me, you old man!"
He was just a frustrated man shouting and expressing how he felt deep inside.
Meanwhile, Elena had not left yet. She was still standing outside, not far from the bar.