Chapter 100
Chapter 100:
The gang arrived with an aggressive, swift pace, evidently ready for confrontation.
Phillip and Emalee were utterly unprepared, their panic setting in instantaneously.
Phillip blurted out in haste, “Ashton, you’ve got us into this mess! Keep us out of it!”
Emalee, visibly upset, turned to Ashton and demanded, “Did you provoke someone? Is that why you made us stop here—so you could drag us into your trouble?”
Ashton merely chuckled darkly, offering no reply.
Fuming, Emalee attempted to clarify to the advancing gang that she and Phillip were not involved with Ashton’s issues.
But before she could make her case, the gang’s hefty leader halted in front of Phillip.
With a smirk, he mockingly patted Phillip’s cheek, saying, “Mr. Watson, it appears significant folks like you have a knack for forgetting. Forgetting your words is one thing, but not remembering me?”
Phillip’s body tensed at the sound of the man’s voice. It was Paul, the gang leader Phillip had enlisted days earlier to handle Ashton.
Recollections of his own insults hurled at Paul in anger came flooding back.
As Phillip remained mute, Paul’s grin broadened.
He rested a metal rod against Phillip’s throat, his voice low and menacing. “Mr. Watson, remember, we stake our lives on our reputation. You doubted I’d lay a finger on you? Today, I’ll prove there’s nobody in Inewood we hesitate to cross!”
The chilling touch of the metal made Phillip’s knees buckle, fear threatening to overpower him.
He had been bragging, relying on his status as a lawyer for protection.
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However, surrounded by the gang, his profession mattered little. Whether he was a lawyer or a magician made no difference. If they chose to toss him into the sea, he would be nothing but fish food.
Confronted by the thugs, Phillip managed a terrified grin that seemed sadder than tears.
He attempted to calm Paul, saying, “Paul, this is all just a big misunderstanding! It was a joke, said in the spur of the moment. How could I ever doubt you? I know you’re angry about the payment delay. I’ve been collecting the funds these last few days. Here’s what I propose: I’ll head back and wire the money to your account immediately! I’ll even add a bonus to make up for the hassle. What do you think?”
Paul scoffed and shoved Phillip to the ground. “Who do you think you are to disrespect me? Now you recognize your error and assume an apology will suffice? Do you think I’m a dog that can be appeased with a few scraps?”
Then, Paul turned to Emalee, who was visibly shocked. He scanned her from head to toe with covetous eyes, as though he intended to devour her right there. He took his time, whistling at Emalee with a taunt.
“Hey, beautiful, you seem a bit off. Phillip here too frail to keep you happy, huh? Don’t worry. We’ve got a whole crew here ready to lift your spirits tonight!”
Following his words, Paul barked an order. “Get these two out of here.”
Phillip, lying on the ground, scrambled toward Paul’s boots, tears streaming as he begged, “Paul, I realize my mistake. Please, let me off this time. I promise it won’t happen again.”
Paul, cold and detached, watched as his henchmen seized Phillip.
Turning to Ashton, Paul’s interest was clearly not on him but on the college girls standing behind.
They lacked Emalee’s charm, but their youth was their allure.
Emalee alone wasn’t enough for all his men.
Paul, smirking lasciviously, remarked, “These young ladies aren’t too shabby. Let’s bring them along as well.” With a casual gesture from Paul, his men moved toward the frightened students, their grins filled with menace.
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