登入Scarlett looked at him calmly, saying nothing, waiting.
"I want to spar with you." He had been itching to ask for a while now. But because of his boss's attitude toward her, he hadn't dared.This might be his only chance-because if she really became his boss's woman one day, he'd never have the guts to ask again."Spar?" Scarlett raised a brow."Yes." Rhys was dead serious."You're not my match. I don't want to beat you up."There wasn't a hint of arrogance in heTheron let out a quiet scoff, shaking his head.Fighting skill didn't equal battlefield command.Street combat and war were two completely different worlds.Strategy. Authority. Vision.Those were things Scarlett couldn't possibly have.He had already had Rhys investigate her.Raised in the countryside. Taken in by the Hayes family five years ago. Treated poorly. Then imprisoned for five years.Meanwhile, the mysterious leader of Obsidian Unit had joined the military four years ago-fought in hundreds of battles, guarding the borders.The two couldn't be more different.The thought was ridiculous.Rhys was probably just exaggerating to calm him down.Theron pushed the thought aside and looked at him again."This is the last time.""Yes, boss! Absolutely! It won't happen again!"Rhys waved his hands quickly.Even if he wanted to spar with Scarlett again... he wouldn't dare.Because she was right.Spar
Scarlett looked at him calmly, saying nothing, waiting."I want to spar with you." He had been itching to ask for a while now. But because of his boss's attitude toward her, he hadn't dared.This might be his only chance-because if she really became his boss's woman one day, he'd never have the guts to ask again."Spar?" Scarlett raised a brow."Yes." Rhys was dead serious."You're not my match. I don't want to beat you up."There wasn't a hint of arrogance in her tone-just a simple statement of fact.But to Rhys, that didn't sit well."Miss Hayes, isn't that a little premature? You've never seen me fight-how do you know I can't take you?" He tilted his head slightly. "I've gone toe-to-toe with the War King before. We were evenly matched."That caught her attention.Her eyes sharpened slightly."You fought the War King? Which one?"It definitely wasn't Howard. If it were, he would've told her.So... Luther? Mitch? Or S
Scarlett: "...""And what if I only want the kid?" she shot back, her bright, determined eyes locking onto his.Theron let out a quiet sigh. His sharp features softened, a hint of helplessness-and something dangerously close to affection-flickering across his face."Then I guess I don't get a say."Scarlett raised a brow slightly, lips parting as if to respond-then thought better of it. She lowered her gaze, hiding whatever emotions stirred beneath her lashes.After a brief pause, she reached into her bag and pulled out a piece of candy."Theo, let's play a game. Guess which hand the candy's in. If you're right, you get it.""What if I'm wrong?" he asked nervously."Then... I'll give you a kiss."Theo's eyes lit up.He suddenly wanted to lose."Watch closely." Scarlett showed him the candy in her left hand, then started switching it back and forth between both hands like a magician."Okay. Which one?"Theo focused hard
The red light had eight seconds left.Scarlett gathered her skirt and stepped toward the curb.And then-Her heel caught in a crack in the pavement.Click.A sharp sound.Her ankle twisted.She crouched instinctively, about to check the injury-When suddenly-One of the men who had been knocked down earlier struggled to his feet and lunged from behind, swinging a steel pipe straight at her head.Scarlett's ears twitched.Her eyes shifted-But before she could counter-A figure flashed past her.A long leg shot out-Bam!The attacker was sent flying, crashing hard into a trash can.Scarlett glanced at the man-his chest visibly caved in, blood spilling from his mouth.That kick... had not been held back.She lifted her gaze.The traffic light had just turned green.So...He really had run the red light.This was a busy street, cars everywhere-and he still came charging ac
James pulled Sadie into his arms, his face filled with panic and concern."Sadie! Sadie-wake up! Stay with me!""Oh God... my baby, you can't let anything happen to you!" Mossa cried, tears streaming down her face.Ronnie immediately barked orders for a doctor.Sadie's eyes fluttered open, weak and unfocused as she looked at James."James... I've been set up... I didn't do it... it wasn't me... I swear..."Her voice was barely a whisper.Seeing her bloodied and fragile, James's heart twisted painfully. Guilt washed over his face."I'm sorry, Sadie... I shouldn't have doubted you. This is my fault. Please-just hang on, okay?"Mossa sobbed beside them. "My poor girl..."Scarlett stood off to the side, completely still.Watching.Expressionless.Like none of this had anything to do with her.She used to think she had been foolish.Blindly trusting Sadie.Letting herself get played over and over again.James. Her own mother. All of them-They had chosen Sadie.Every single time.But now s
There was a faint trace of self-mockery in Scarlett's voice.Deep down... she had still held onto the smallest sliver of hope.Hope that Mossa would finally see Sadie for who she really was.Hope that-just once-she would look at her, her real daughter, with fairness.No matter how cold Mossa had been in the past... she was still her mother.And what child doesn't want their mother's love?Scarlett had thought that today-after laying out all the evidence-Mossa would regret everything she had done to her.But now-She almost wanted to laugh.So in the end... was she just being naïve?"You ungrateful, disgraceful girl! What kind of nonsense are you spouting?!" Mossa snapped, furious. If she had a choice, she would rather not have Scarlett as her daughter at all. If anything, she wished the obedient, accomplished Sadie were the one she had given birth to-not this girl who brought her nothing but shame.Scarlett suddenly felt tired.Talking any more was pointless.It was time to play her t







