Chapter 82

The silence in the air felt almost painful. Nobody made a sound, too afraid to even breathe.

People looked terrified that making any noise might make themselves the target, while some bystanders stared at Emilia, their eyes wide with amazement.

A few of the ones who thought bullying online was not enough and had come in person now stepped back on instinct.

Nobody dared to get any closer. The idea of trying to teach her a lesson vanished completely.

After seeing the way she fought just now, they all felt that getting out of this place in one piece would be a miracle.

The two security guards who wanted to step in just looked at each other, feeling embarrassed. They thought the two young women might need help, but now it was clear their worry had been pointless.

Instead of worrying about those girls, they started thinking it would be more dangerous if the girls got carried.away and actually killed someone. They both knew going to jail because of these thugs was not worth it at all.

Emilia grabbed the man who had tried to sneak away and dragged him back, dropping him onto the heap of defeated men.

With her trademark black umbrella in hand, she pressed the tip against the man's cheek and said, "If any of you try to run, this is what's waiting for you."

The men quickly shook their heads, too terrified to say a word, tears running down their cheeks.

All they wanted was to make some quick cash. Why did it turn out to be this hard? The person who hired them never said anything about the girl being able to fight.

If any of them had hesitated for even a second, it could have cost them their lives. This kind of job definitely deserved hazard pay, if not more. The employer had left out some pretty important details-details that could have gotten someone killed.

Emilia's trademark black umbrella hit the ground with a heavy thud as she slowly scanned the people in front of her.

A gentle smile rested on her lips, and her eyes almost looked soft, but the tension she carried made everyone shift uncomfortably.

Nobody who showed up to cause trouble felt safe now. Everyone's hands were clammy, and nerves were getting the best of them.

Their minds screamed for themn to bolt, but fear kept their feet glued to the floor.

Most of them found that their legs had turned to jelly, and even if they wanted to move, their bodies wouldn't cooperate.

Facing this woman, every one of them felt real fear for the first time.

A single kick from her looked powerful enough to split someone in two.

Each punch and kick that landed earlier made everyone flinch, almost like they could feel the pain themselves.

No one could say Emilia didn't have a reason for her confidence.She'd earned it.

She suddenly swung her umbrella up, aiming the tip straight at the group. "Does anybody else think they can take me?"

Not a soul in the room said a word. The silence was absolute.

Nobody dared to lift their eyes, each one fixed on the floor as if it could save them from Emilia's attention.

It reminded them of those tense moments in school when the teacher searched for a victim. Catching the teacher's eye meant getting called on, and that was scary enough.

Now,locking eyes with her felt far more dangerous. A single glance, and they risked becoming her next target.

Sloane watched, struggling not to laugh as this group, who'd been so loud earlier, now stood meekly in line,hands folded and heads down.

How quickly they lost their boldness. People always seemed brave when they thought they held the upper hand, but that confidence disappeared the moment real strength stepped in.

Bullies crowded around the weak, but ran from anyone stronger.

"I already called the cops," said Sloane.

"Well done." Emilia grinned,, flashing her a thumbs up. "I guess we'll have to stick around and talk to the officers before we can get over to the dance academy."

···

Inside the Dance Academy. At Dean's Office.

"What a waste. She had so much potential." A long sigh slipped from Melina Aguilar as she set her phone aside.

Emory Calderon took off her sunglasses with deliberate care, sunlight catching the rim of her hat."Ms.Aguilar, I know she's gifted, but if her actions damage the academy's reputation, there's only one thing to do. She should be permanently expelled and lose her standing as a dancer."

As soon as Emory finished her statement, someone knocked on the office door.