Chapter 3

"Bro, I should really take you to the hospital." Eric Lawson could tell this was going downhill fast. Leo had clearly been knocked senseless.

"You know how much cash is on this card? You know how many people would kill for the private numbers on this old phone?" Leo replied, as if none of it fazed him.

Eric rolled his eyes. A weird black card and a clunky antique phone weren't exactly convincing.

At that moment, a BMW roared up, almost running over Leo's foot.

"Watch where you're driving! Didn't you see me here?" Leo yelled. Now that his deal with his grandfather had expired, he finally sounded confident.

"Don't mind him!" Eric tried to smooth things over. Ordinary folks like them could never afford a million-dollar ride like that. Even if they'd been hit, it'd be settled with cash.

"Well, isn't this Ms. Yates' husband? Hide and cry much?" The car window slid down. Martin was inside.

Amanda was right next to him. She was sneering.

"Get out and apologize!" Leo shot back. He suddenly seemed energized.

Eric's face went pale. Martin was a regular at the club and well-connected.

"Leo, have you gone mad? Do you know who he is? Even if he hit you, it'd be your fault!" Amanda couldn't believe Leo had the guts to ask them to get out and apologize.

"Get out here, now!" Leo banged the palm of his hand on the car, making a loud smack. "This car's crap. One scratch, and it dents!"

"You're asking for trouble!" Martin's expression changed. He stepped out and saw that his new car already had an ugly dent.

"It's a misunderstanding. My buddy's just drunk!" Eric blurted out.

"Drunk? I think he drank piss," Martin sneered.

"Drop to your knees and apologize now! If you offend Mr. Mason, Chloe's company will take a hit!" Amanda hurried out of the car, looking disgusted.

"Did you hear her? I can wipe out your whole family any time," Martin snarled.

If Leo hadn't shown up, Martin would've got what he wanted. He couldn't believe Leo had the nerve to smash his car and stand there.

"Heh. So you planned to humiliate me and my wife tonight?" Leo asked calmly.

"So what? You're just a pathetic live‑in husband. That'll teach you your place, so Chloe stops embarrassing herself," Amanda scoffed, emboldened by Chloe not being there.

Even if Leo went to complain, Chloe wouldn't believe him.

"Kid, you better bring your wife to my bed. Maybe then you'll be spared. Otherwise, she'll be sold to pay your debts," Martin taunted. He was sure he had Chloe cornered.

Wham!

Leo's expression went cold, and he slapped Martin across the cheek.

Amanda and Eric froze. Leo must've really lost it.

"How dare you hit me?" Martin clutched his reddened cheek. He couldn't believe what just happened.

"So what if I hit you? If murder weren't illegal, you'd already be dead," Leo sneered.

"Mr. Mason, he's probably lost his mind. Don't stoop to a madman's level!" Amanda grabbed Martin's arm. That slap might ruin the whole deal.

"Get off me! Even if he's crazy, I'm going to teach him a lesson."

Martin shoved Amanda aside and reached to slap Leo, only to have his wrist caught by Leo. Leo landed another fierce slap on the other side of Martin's face.

Wham!

"Leo, you're insane! Have you thought about Chloe?" Amanda shrieked. That second slap would drag them all down with him.

If Leo was throwing himself away, she didn't want to be dragged into it.

"This is my business. It's none of your concern," Leo said with a smile.

"I'm helping you! Show some gratitude!" Amanda snapped.

"I'll kill you!" Martin roared before swinging a heavy kick at Leo.

His foot never made contact. A sudden, crippling pain seared through his abdomen, and he collapsed to the floor.

"You don't even have what it takes!" Leo uttered before pressing his boot onto Martin's head and scraping his shoe on him.

"Ahh! I'll skin you alive!" Martin wailed. He was utterly humiliated. He had never been treated like this before.

Amanda and Eric stood stunned. Leo truly left himself without any way out.

A black van made its way over. Seven or eight big men got out; some of them were the same ones who had smashed bottles over Leo's head earlier.

"What the hell took you so long? Finish him!" Martin howled.

"Perfect timing. Everyone's here," Leo glanced at them. If he hadn't held back earlier, these guys wouldn't have stood a chance.

"Set our boss free!" the thugs shouted.

"Leo, let him go and beg for mercy. We might still have a chance!" Eric pleaded. Guys like them always had to back down.

"Why are you scared? It's just a few of them!" Leo shrugged and ground his boot against Martin's head again.

"Enough talk, move!" Martin spat a mouthful of dirt. He wanted revenge so badly.

Never did he expect to get beaten up by someone insignificant like Leo today.

"Did that feel good? Here's another chance," Leo taunted with a grin on his face.

"You're dead meat!" the thugs roared and charged.

Leo released Martin, stepped forward, and knocked one man back with a single punch. He spun around and kicked another down. The rest pulled out batons and circled him warily, but that only bought them a few extra seconds before hitting the floor.

"No way," Amanda and Eric mouthed in stunned silence. Leo could actually fight. It was like he'd been possessed.

Martin's jaw dropped. The guy who'd stood there meekly just minutes ago had become terrifyingly capable.

Had the blow to his head somehow made him stronger?

"This lot isn't enough. I'm just getting started."

Leo stepped forward and slapped Martin's face again. There was a chill in his eyes. This was supposed to be his comeback performance, but his opponents were far too weak.

"Just you wait!" Martin staggered back and started dialing frantically.

"Bring them all," Leo said in amusement.

"You're dead," Martin hissed. Leo might have some skill, but could he beat dozens of reinforcements?

"Mr. Mason, I've served you wine before. Show some mercy. My friend really is drunk," Eric pleaded. Once Martin's reinforcements arrived, they were finished.

"You think you're somebody?" Martin snapped and tried to slap Eric, but Leo grabbed his wrist and slapped him again.

"Not learning, are you?"

"Leo, what have you done?" Eric was about to cry.

"It's fine. Aren't you getting married soon? I'll give you loads of cash as your wedding gift," Leo said casually.

"If I even live that long!" Eric shook his head. They were doomed!

"Leo, you don't know what you're doing. Chloe won't be able to save you this time," Amanda sneered. Leo was a useless nobody, but he refused to listen to her. It was over for him this time.

"Talk less. Don't make me hit a woman," Leo warned impatiently while glaring at Amanda.

Amanda froze. She realized Leo must have really gone mad. She didn't want to be the one to suffer.