Chapter 9 I'm Here
1081 Words
Tina's fury simmered in her chest. After years in the business trenches, how could she miss the blatant threat in his words?
If it were just her, no coercion would make her yield.
But dozens now relied on her for their livelihoods. This modest company held every ounce of her blood, sweat, and tears.
What should she do?
Her fists clenched until nails bit into her palms—yet even this pain couldn't drown her torment.
"Make it quick, Ms. Aiden. I've got better things to do," the redhead sneered, his lecherous gaze making her skin crawl.
"I... I..." Her voice frayed, choked by desperation.
Give in?
Then her fate would belong to some entitled brat...
Refuse?
Dozens would lose everything...
Ryan took a slow sip of tea, his calm voice cutting through the tension. "Which Radiance Family?"
The redhead's gaze had slid right over Ryan earlier. Why notice some plainly dressed nobody when he didn't even respect the boss?
"Who let you open your mouth?" The redhead's lip curled with contempt.
"The gentleman asked you a question." Tobias stepped forward, his frame looming like an avalanche waiting to fall. "Three!"
"Two!"
The redhead's stomach lurched. Under Tobias's gaze, he suddenly felt like a rabbit sensing the hawk's shadow.
The primal fear set his heart hammering against his ribs.
He swallowed hard, then forced bravado into his voice. With the Radiance Family's backing, and this clueless fool clearly having no connections—what was there to fear?
"You mean the Radiance Family's young master? What rock have you been living under? Everyone in Jadehaven knows the Radiance name!"
The redhead had to tilt his head back, instantly deflating his tough-guy act.
"Fascinating..." Ryan rotated the teacup thoughtfully before rising. "Call your boss. Give him one hour to get here. Make it clear—if he's late, he'll answer for it."
"Who the hell do you—"
CRACK!
A heavy hand smashed across the redhead's face before he could finish.
"AAARGH!"
The scrawny man went flying, crashing to the floor in a heap as his scream echoed through the room.
Tobias moved like lightning, planting his foot on the redhead's face and grinding down with lethal pressure. "One more disrespectful word," he warned, voice sharp as a blade's edge, "and you're dead."
The redhead's jaw creaked under the weight. These weren't bluffing—they meant business. Scrambling like a beaten dog, he crawled to the doorway and fumbled for his phone.
"M-Mr. Radiance!" he gasped into the receiver. "Emergency! Two madmen at Ms. Aiden's office took out my crew! They're protecting her, disrespecting you openly—said you've got one hour to get here or face the consequences! They even insulted your—"
"What?! I'll deal with those idiots personally!" The voice exploded through the phone. "Hold tight—I'm rounding up the boys!"
"Y-yes, sir!"
Slamming the phone shut, the redhead straightened up with renewed bravado. "Heh. You're dead men walking!" he spat at Tobias and Ryan. What did two street thugs know? The young master's goon squad would crush them like insects!
The tense silence shattered as a woman's voice called from the doorway: "Tina? What's happening here?"
The voice sounded familiar to Ryan. He glanced over and was surprised to see Britney standing there.
Britney and Tina were close friends. She'd come today specifically to confide in Tina about yesterday's ordeal.
Yet the first thing she saw was Tina's tear-streaked face, that red-haired thug who clearly meant trouble, and—most shockingly—Ryan and his henchman Tobias standing in the room.
What fresh hell was this?
Keeping her distance from the redhead and his gang, Britney sidled along the doorframe and hurried to the desk.
Watching her friend's tears flow uncontrollably, Britney demanded details. Tina gave her the gist of what had happened.
"What? Ryan pissed off that bastard Kaelen?!"
Britney shrieked, stomping her designer shoe before jabbing a finger at Ryan. "Listen here, Ryan! If you want to get yourself killed, don't drag Tina into this! Do you have any idea who you're messing with? Not only did you crush Kaelen's men, but you had the nerve to run your mouth too?"
She'd already witnessed Ryan's arrogance firsthand the previous day—when he and his henchman forced her mother to kneel and even shattered Zachary Ethan's leg.
Yet for some reason, the Ethan family had remained silent so far!
She'd tried calling Zachary, but he hadn't picked up.
But Kaelen was different. Though just a branch family member of the Radiance clan, he was notoriously vicious—nothing like Zachary, who only bullied the weak.
Ryan had crossed Kaelen. He was done for.
"Don't worry, Tina," Britney oozed fake sympathy. "I'll vouch for you later. Today's mess has nothing to do with you—it's all on these two idiots. I'll make sure you're cleared of any blame. We'll beg Kaelen nicely afterward. A man of his stature wouldn't stoop to tormenting helpless girls like us."
Her hollow comfort crashed like a lead balloon. Tina's eyes remained dark pools of hopelessness.
Beg Kaelen? So we can be his toy dolls for the evening? she thought bitterly.
Though she didn't believe Ryan could stand against the Radiance Family, she was deeply grateful he'd spoken up for her.
"Ryan, you and your friend should leave now... Once Mr. Radiance arrives, it'll be too late. Don't worry about me—I'll talk to him when he gets here, beg him to let you go. If I have to, I'll... agree to his demands. My employees depend on this company. I can't let it collapse..."
Tina's face showed despair as she spoke. Yet Ryan remained seated, his expression unshaken, exuding complete confidence. He met her gaze with a calm smile. "Don't worry. I'm here."
Even in her own dire straits, Tina still thought of others—far kinder than her friend Preanna. Tina was his comrade's sister, which made her family. Anyone who bullied her was asking for trouble.
"You being here changes nothing," Preanna sneered. "Mr. Radiance isn't someone you can just punch your way through. Where do you get such confidence?"
"Ryan, please, go now! There's no time!" Tina urged, her voice tight with urgency.
Just then, the sound of approaching footsteps echoed through the hallway—a noisy crowd of at least a dozen men.
"Cross me, Kaelen Radiance, and think you can just walk away?"
Tina's hands flew to her mouth. "They're here already?"
- Writer
