Chapter 2: I Remember You

As soon as they left, Gabrielle McCarthy immediately darted to the driver's seat and unceremoniously reached her hand out to the man in the back. "The car keys."

"Get out of the car," the man growled, clutching his abdomen, his face as dark as the bottom of a pot.

"If you wait for your friends to arrive, you'll bleed out and kick the bucket."

Gabrielle McCarthy turned to look at his abdomen. She had intended to use him to escape the pursuers, but she hadn't meant for him to lose his life. He was already seriously injured, and after the recent fight, she knew his wound had reopened. The smell of blood in the car was noticeably stronger.

"It's all thanks to you."

Beneath his sunglasses, the man's eyes blazed with fury. If it weren't for his current condition, he would have torn her apart.

Gabrielle McCarthy's face, hidden behind her mask, broke into a smile, her voice laced with amusement. "Buddhist teachings say that saving a life is better than building a seven-story pagoda. You saved my life today; the Buddha will bless you."

"Then I should thank you, for bringing me one step closer to the Buddha," the man spat through gritted teeth, clearly seething with anger.

"Not just one step, you've practically stepped right up to the Buddha's lotus throne, and it's all thanks to my help."

This woman was not only skilled in combat but also sharp-tongued. The man, already in pain from his injury, felt his whole body tremble with rage as he glared at her.

Gabrielle McCarthy, feeling quite pleased with herself, completely disregarded his anger and extended her hand again. "The keys."

Knowing that he urgently needed medical attention, the man tossed the car keys to her, his voice hoarse and strained. "Y Apartment."

Gabrielle McCarthy caught the keys, started the car, and said, "I'm not familiar with the area, and I've never heard of this place. You navigate."

She then pulled out two pills from a small pouch on her waist and threw them to him. "These are for stopping the bleeding. They'll save your life."

The man caught the pills, glanced at them, and, without worrying about them being poison, popped one into his mouth and pocketed the other. His voice remained low and gravelly. "Turn left, then take another left at the third traffic light."

Y Apartment wasn't far, and they arrived in less than ten minutes. Gabrielle McCarthy parked the car in a secluded spot, quickly returned to the backseat, and unceremoniously reached out again. "Give me back my dagger."

The man had already picked up the dagger and examined its unique material. His sharp eyes, hidden behind his sunglasses, fixed on her as his deep, raspy voice emerged. "What if I don't?"

"Don't?"

Gabrielle McCarthy's lips curved into a smile, though there was no warmth in it. She leaned forward, her lithe body pressing against his, her masked eyes locking onto his. "Do you want another special experience, making others think you can't afford a few hundred dollars for a hotel room?"

The man's body tensed slightly. At such close proximity, he could smell the faint floral scent on her, a fresh and soothing aroma unlike any perfume or skincare product. It was calming.

He also noticed her perfectly chiseled chin, guessing that the face beneath the mask must be equally beautiful.

Seeing him staring silently, Gabrielle McCarthy didn't want to reveal too much. She leaned back and once again demanded, "Hand it over."

The man had intended to return the dagger, but her attitude reignited his anger, and he stowed the dagger away instead.

Seeing him take her weapon, Gabrielle McCarthy's eyes flashed cold, and she swung her fists at him without hesitation.

The second round of fighting began.

The battle in the confined space grew more intense. Gabrielle McCarthy was highly skilled, and the man was no slouch either.

Their strengths were evenly matched, and neither held back, treating each other as true enemies. Their fists rained down on each other, both grimacing in pain, but neither was willing to yield first.

Wade Sherwood, having received a message, rushed down from the apartment, but his calls went unanswered. He hurriedly searched for the car in the neighborhood.

When he found the car, he saw a lot of movement inside and heard some indescribable sounds, leaving him embarrassed and confused. What was going on?

Just as he wondered, a woman's voice came from the car. "Another round?"

"Bring it on."

Wade Sherwood recognized the man's voice—it was his brother. But: Didn't he say something had happened? What was he doing now? Was he... fighting with a woman in the car?

"Then let's continue," the woman said, and the indescribable sounds resumed.

"Uh... uh..."

The man's muffled cries of pain reached Wade Sherwood's ears. Standing by the car door, he winced, staring intently at the scene. This was intense. So, this was what his boss liked.

The sounds from the car grew louder and more intense. He cautiously looked around before gently tapping on the window. "Hey, Boss, still able to turn over?"

Hearing his voice, the man, who was struggling with Gabrielle McCarthy, finally roared, "Is it fun to watch?"

"You were busy, I didn't dare to disturb you."

Wade Sherwood's mind was racing, eager to see the woman who had bested his boss. Who was this mysterious person?

"Get lost!" the man bellowed.

Gabrielle McCarthy, exhausted from the prolonged fight, realized that his backup had arrived. Continuing would be disadvantageous. She pressed her hand against his throat, her threat clear. "Give me the dagger."

"Try and take it."

With Wade Sherwood outside, the man felt more emboldened.

"Do you think I won't?"

Gabrielle McCarthy reached for her waist, producing a handgun and pressing it between his legs. Her altered voice was filled with menace. "Hand it over, or I'll make sure you can't have children."

The man lowered his head, his gaze shifting from the gun to her masked face. His voice was cold and harsh. "You're the only woman who has threatened me twice."

"My pleasure."

Gabrielle McCarthy had known from the start that this man was trouble, and their physical confrontation confirmed that she had indeed provoked someone she shouldn't have.

"Hey, Boss, are you okay?" Wade Sherwood tapped on the window again.

The man ignored him, handing over the dagger. Once she took it, he pushed her away, elegantly straightening his clothes. His eyes fixed on her face. "I'll remember you. Until we meet again."

"I'll remember you too. Next time, pick a different place so people don't think I can't afford a hotel room." Gabrielle McCarthy, with her sharp tongue, turned and opened the car door.

The man's heart burned with anger, his icy gaze boring into her back, as if he could pierce her with his eyes.

Wade Sherwood, seeing the masked figure emerge from the car, his smile faded, and he regarded her with caution. "Who are you?"

"The one who gave your boss a good C-vibration."

Gabrielle McCarthy smirked, noting the sudden change in his expression and the hint of mischief in her eyes. As she left, she added, "Your boss's skills are really subpar."

Wade Sherwood: "..."

"Get lost!" a roar came from the car.

"See, that's the attitude of someone unsatisfied."

Gabrielle McCarthy couldn't resist taking a parting shot, then walked away, her lips curled in satisfaction, leaving Wade Sherwood with a stiff expression.

Once she disappeared into the night, Nelson FitzGerald, both physically and mentally wounded, got out of the car. His face was as dark as ink, and he glared at Wade Sherwood. "Was it a good show?"

"Ye... Yeah," Wade Sherwood started, but then he caught a strong whiff of blood. His face darkened. "How did you get so badly injured?"

Before he could answer, Wade Sherwood pointed in the direction Gabrielle McCarthy had gone, frowning. "Was it her?"

Nelson FitzGerald didn't look where he was pointing and didn't answer. He simply ordered, "Call Marvin Piers and tell him to come here quickly."

"Okay." Wade Sherwood made the call while helping him upstairs.