Supreme Warrior!

3

Henry Richard’s ungrateful attitude drove Radley Lawrence mad. He curled his hand near his mouth, trying to squeeze out a wicked smile.

"Can’t you hear me when I say it? How about… is there a problem with your hearing?"

"I want to see the pearl that’s over seventy years old!"

Henry Richard pointed at the pearl with certainty. The corners of Radley Lawrence’s lips twitched. He glanced at the staff next to him, then pouted toward them.

"I’m sorry! Our store doesn’t allow direct handling of pearls. Scratches can affect their condition. You can look through the glass."

Henry Richard’s face darkened at Radley’s words. He glanced toward the other counters with a faint smile.

"What about the other guests? Are they violating store regulations too?"

Following Henry Richard’s gaze, Radley Lawrence saw that the other customers were being allowed to hold and examine the pearls directly by the staff, carefully admiring them in their hands.

Even so, Radley still tried to act as though he was simply enforcing the rules.

"No, no, you can’t. Please leave!"

He pushed Henry Richard aside with his hand. That shove nearly made Henry stumble to the ground, drawing ridicule from the people nearby.

Henry grabbed Radley’s collar, twisted his palm, lifted it before his face, and blew a puff of air.

"Are you saying I have no money?"

His voice lowered, a faint smile curling on his lips. His gaze was deeper than the sea, locking on Radley Lawrence, his breath growing heavier.

Radley only responded with a mocking grin. In his mind, a dirty, poor man like Henry didn’t deserve to argue, much less make demands. As senior manager of the city’s top pearl shop, Radley’s position and connections gave him authority—he wasn’t about to let someone like Henry push past him.

Bang!

Radley swung his arm, landing a punch directly to Henry Richard’s abdomen.

"Put your damn eyes away! Don’t look at me like that! Get the hell out before I call security!"

The blow drew the attention of everyone around. Conversations stopped, people craned their necks toward Henry Richard, pointing and whispering, their laughter sharp with mockery.

Radley clasped his hands behind his back, strutting around Henry in pompous circles.

"You see? Is there anyone here on your side?"

At his words, the employees and customers all turned their heads away, not a single person stepping forward. Henry stood still, calmly watching Radley put on his act.

This place was nothing like the Lotus Flower empire. In Lotus Flower, people valued unity—division and contempt had no place there.

The more he thought about it, the more Henry pitied Radley and the people here. He sighed, feeling a deep, disappointed weariness.

"Hey, manager, I think you’re out of line!"

From behind, a young woman dressed elegantly and blessed with a beautiful face stepped forward through the crowd. When her clear eyes landed on Henry, he felt an odd sense of familiarity.

"Everyone who comes to this store is a customer. As an employee, it’s your responsibility to respect them and meet their requests."

Radley’s expression darkened. Being lectured by a woman wounded his inflated pride.

Without a word, he stepped closer to the girl and shoved her backward with his hand.

Off balance, she started to fall, but Henry reacted quickly, catching her firmly in his arms. Their eyes met, and for a moment, something unspoken passed between them.

"Thank you."

She nodded softly at Henry. He didn’t answer, but set her down gently, then strode toward Radley Lawrence and drove his foot into the man’s face.

Radley went sprawling, unable to defend himself. Blood welled from his nostrils and seeped into his mouth.

"Call security!"

The staff shouted in alarm, the shop descending into chaos.

"How dare you hit me?"

Radley wiped at his mouth, realizing his nose was broken. A jagged scrape burned across his cheek where Henry’s shoe had struck.

Henry always kept a razor hidden in his shoe soles for self-defense. That single kick had left Radley seriously injured.

"How dare you hit a woman? Shame on you!"

Henry clenched his jaw, running a hand through his hair. His eyes grew sharper, and the dangerous glint in them made Radley shiver.

Now Radley realized he’d picked a fight with someone far from ordinary. Security guards rushed in, surrounding Henry, ready to strike at a word.

"Radley Lawrence, what’s going on?"

From the top floor, a tall figure descended quickly. The pearl shop’s general manager had arrived after hearing of the disturbance.

Seeing his superior, Radley scrambled to his feet and blurted:

"Mr. Enda Douglas, this man has no money and came here demanding pearls. I warned him, but he’s just causing trouble!"

"You shut up! I’ve checked the security cameras—you were the one who started the fight!"

Enda Douglas’s voice cracked like a whip as he slapped Radley’s face. With the evidence plain to see, Radley had no defense.

Flustered and afraid, Radley lowered his head in silence.

"Sir, I’m very sorry our staff treated you so rudely. As an apology, our store will give you a fifty percent discount on your purchase."

Enda’s sincerity softened Henry’s mood somewhat. He cast a sidelong glance at Radley, a faint smile playing on his lips, then pointed at the pearl.

"Get me that jewel. No discount. Just swipe the card."

Henry took a black card from his pocket and handed it to Enda Douglas. Enda accepted it respectfully and instructed the staff to wrap the pearl carefully. Given its value, the process was slow and deliberate.

When the clerk ran Henry’s card, the string of digits on the register screen made their eyes widen in disbelief. The balance was fifteen figures long.

Within minutes, the seventy-year-old pearl was Henry Richard’s. He took the small box, holding it securely as he walked out under the astonished gazes of everyone present.

Just outside, he spotted the girl who had spoken up for him. Now he could see her clearly—pure, refined beauty, long hair falling over bare shoulders, and the air of someone from a distinguished family.

Henry wanted to thank her. He smoothed back his hair and approached with a friendly smile.

"Hello. I appreciate your help."

She tilted her head slightly, her face beautiful even without a smile, and replied coolly:

"Oh, I was just curious to see what he would do."

She turned to leave, but Henry stepped in front of her.

"Hey, miss! May I have your name?"

His stance was far from polite, hands raised slightly, a teasing curl to his lips. To an outsider, he might have looked like a persistent thug trying to flirt.

"Move aside!"

The girl’s voice was laced with steel.

The more aloof she was, the more Henry felt like teasing. He wasn’t about to let her go without at least getting her name.

Her lips curved in a cold smile. Then she abruptly stepped forward, driving her heel into his foot.

Though pain flared, Henry stayed calm, letting her do as she pleased while his eyes remained fixed on her. She shouted again:

"Move!"

After nearly ten minutes of silent standoff, Henry finally stepped back. He scratched his nose, a hint of disappointment in his voice.

"Thank you anyway."

She walked past him without looking back. After five paces, she stopped and said:

"Layla Smith."

Layla Smith? So that’s her name.

Henry murmured it under his breath, watching her retreating figure as the corners of his mouth lifted slightly.

By the time he returned, Walter’s villa was locked up for the night. The sky had opened into a heavy downpour, soaking his shoulders. He pressed the doorbell, and butler Raymond hurried over with an umbrella.

"Master Walter, were you out on business?"

Henry chuckled without answering and stepped inside quickly. Clara Walter had long since gone to bed—perhaps the earlier confrontation had left her wary, for her door was now reinforced.

Henry set the pearl box on the table, took off his coat, and rested. Tomorrow they would attend Lady Patrick’s birthday celebration. No doubt the wealthy guests there would try to play more tricks on him.

But Henry wasn’t worried. To him, they were nothing more than flies—easy enough to swat away.