Chapter 81

To the security guard, Emilia and Sloane always came across as respectful and genuine, treating everyone the same no matter their job. He just couldn't picture either of them as the heartless villains painted by the internet.

If Emilia had lashed out at someone, he figured it was only because she'd been pushed past her limit.

Another guard chimed in, his voice low with concern, "Some of that crowd looks like they're out for blood.I'm worried they might actually try something. Maybe it's best you two don't go out right now."

He'd been watching the group, noting the way a few glared-like they were just waiting for an excuse to pounce.

"We'll be fine. We can take care of ourselves." Emilia's lips curled into a calm smile.

Sloane nodded in agreement. "Thanks for looking out for us. Can you open the door?"

They were ready for whatever chaos waited outside. If anyone wanted to start something, they wouldn't back down.

Reluctantly, theguards unlocked the glass doors, uneasy about letting two women face a hostile crowd alone. Still,they hesitated just long enough to decide to tag along, determined not to let anything happen on their watch.

"We'll walk with you," one suggested as they stepped outside.

Emilia gave a grateful nod, tucking away the kindness for later.

No sooner had they exited than someone rushed toward them. Instantly, both guards shifted in front,blocking Emilia and Sloane from harm.

A second later, a handful of half-empty water bottles came flying from the mob, their weight and momentum enough to break a nose if they landed. Emilia didn't hesitate-she stepped forward, opening her sturdy black umbrella right in front of the guards.

Water bottles thudded against the fabric, but her umbrella held strong, shielding everyone behind her.

At the front of the crowd, a handful of thugs bared their teeth and suddenly brandished iron rods, their eyes locked on Emilia.

"They're coming straight for us!" Sloane shouted, swinging her pink umbrella with surprising force. She cracked a man across the neck, then followed up with a sharp kick while he was doubled over.

Emilia snapped her umbrella closed, then spun it in her hand like a baton. She jabbed one attacker in the chest and knocked another to the floor witha swift strike.

Another would-be assailant lunged at her, rod raised, but Emilia mnoved like a dancer-spinning, ducking,her movements graceful but full of power. She blocked his swing with the umbrella, then dropped into a flawless 360-degree kick that sent him sprawling.

Yet another man barreled toward her, iron rod gripped tight.

With the same calm elegance, Emilia used the tip of her umbrella to strike his wrist.

He howled, the rod slipping from his fingers and clattering to the pavement.

Without missing a beat, Emilia delivered a sharp kick, sending the man flying back into the crowd and toppling several others like dominoes.

Cries of pain echoed through the air. In a matter of seconds, most of the attackers were sprawled on the floor, groaning and clutching their injuries.

The two security guards could only watch, barely getting a chance to act-none of the remaining thugs dared come any closer, shrinking back in wide-eyed fear.

People in the distance froze, phones raised to capture every second of the spectacle.

When one of the men tried to crawl away, the guards lunged after him, pinning him down before he could escape. The sight of iron rods scattered across the pavement left no doubt-these guys had come looking for real trouble.

Another thug, realizing the tables had turned, tried to scramble to his feet and make a run for it.

A wicked grin flashed across Emilia's face as she broke into a sprint. She moved with the force and agility of a skilled fighter-every stride as quick and powerful as a champion on the track.

The crowd stood frozen in awe, jaws dropping as she shot past. With that kind of energy, they half-expected her to tear through anyone in her path.

Emilia vaulted off the pavement, took a few steps up the wall, and launched herself into a flying kick. Her foot connected with a sickening crack, sending her target crashing to the floor.

Blood spilled and two teeth skittered across the pavement, the man too dazed and broken to even try crawling away.