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77 Chapter 77 An Ex’a Bittor Return and a Giant’s Challenge
77 Chapter 77 – An Ex’s Bitter Return and a Giant’s
Challenge
The tension at our table was thick enough to cut with a knife. I’d faced down powerful cultivators and corrupt family patriarchs, but there was something uniquely irritating about the petty cruelty unfolding before me. Aurora sat rigidly beside me, her face flushed with embarrassment from the crude comments.
Before I could respond to the tattooed woman’s insult, a commotion erupted nearby. A sharp female voice cut through the Underground Ring’s din..
“Well, well, well. Look who it is.
A slender woman with meticulously styled blonde hair pushed through the crowd, her eyes locked on Jaxon. Her designer clothes contrasted sharply with the gritty environment, and her manicured nails gleamed under the harsh lighting.
Jaxon’s face drained of color. “Ashlee, he muttered, looking like he’d seen a ghost.
“Surprised to see me? She planted herself directly in front of our table, hands on hips, lips curled into a vicious smile.
Decker and Vivian exchanged interested glances, seemingly happy to watch this new drama unfold. The tattooed woman melted back into the crowd, entertainment value replaced by something potentially more explosive.
Eamon leaned toward me. “This isn’t good,” he whispered.
Jaxon cleared his throat. “Ashlee, I’m here with friends. Can we not do this now?”
“Friends?” she scoffed, scanning our group with contempt. Her gaze stopped on Aurora. “Replacing me already? She’s nowhere near my league.”
Aurora looked confused. “I’m not-
“She’s not with me,” Jaxon interrupted. “None of this is what think.”
you
I studied the woman carefully. The hatred radiating from her was palpable, her entire body vibrating with it. This wasn’t just an awkward ex encounter – there was real venom here.
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77 Chapter 77 – An Ex’s Bitter Return and a Giant’s Challenge
“Who is she?” I asked quietly.
Jaxon’s shoulders slumped. “My ex–girlfriend,” he explained in a low voice. “We broke up six months ago.”
“Because you’re a spineless coward!” Ashlee snapped, clearly overhearing. “You think you can humiliate me and just move on?”
Around us, people were starting to watch, excitement building at the prospect of personal drama more entertaining than the scheduled fights.
“I didn’t humiliate you,” Jaxon hissed. “You cheated on me! What was I supposed to
do?”
Ashlee laughed, the sound sharp and brittle. “Oh, is that the story you’re telling now?”
“It’s the truth,” he insisted, a flicker of backbone showing through his fear. “Three years together, and I find you in our bed with another man.”
I felt a cold stillness settle over me. The scenario was painfully familiar – the betrayal, the humiliation. I’d lived through worse with Sophia Sterling. Suddenly, I was seeing Jaxon in a new light.
“That’s rough,” Eamon commented quietly.
Ashlee tossed her hair back. “Maybe if you’d been man enough to satisfy me, I wouldn’t
have looked elsewhere.”
The cruelty of the statement hung in the air. Jaxon seemed to physically shrink in his seat, and despite my complicated feelings about him, I felt a surge of disgust toward.
Ashlee.
“You should leave,” Aurora said suddenly, her voice steady despite her obvious. discomfort in this environment.
Ashlee’s attention snapped to her. “Excuse me? Did anyone ask for your opinion?”
“No one needs to ask,” Aurora replied. “You’re making a scene and embarrassing
yourself.”
“Aurora, don’t,” Jaxon pleaded, real fear in his eyes.
Ashlee’s face contorted with rage. “You think I’m embarrassing myself? You have no
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77 Chapter 77–An Ex’s Bitter Return and a Giant’s Challenge
idea who you’re talking to, sweetheart.”
“I think we’re done here,” I said, starting to stand. Whatever entertainment value The Ring might have held was rapidly diminishing.
“Oh, we’re not done,” Ashlee hissed. “Not even close.” She pulled out her phone and typed quickly. “You want to see embarrassment? Wait right there.”
The atmosphere shifted as she stepped back, a triumphant smile spreading across her face. The fights continued in the background, but in our corner of the venue, all attention was on the unfolding drama.
Jaxon was visibly trembling now. “We should go,” he whispered urgently. “Right now.”
“Why? What’s happening?” Aurora asked.
Before he could explain, the crowd parted, and my eyebrows rose involuntarily.
A mountain of a man approached, easily six–foot–six with shoulders like a bull. His neck was as thick as my thigh, veins bulging across forearms that looked capable of snapping tree trunks. He wore a tight black shirt that strained against his massive chest and moved with the deliberate confidence of someone who had never lost a
physical confrontation in his life.
“Davis,” Jaxon breathed, and the single word carried volumes
of fear.
Ashlee’s face lit up with malicious delight as the giant reached her side. She immediately pressed herself against him, one hand possessively stroking his massive
chest.
“Jaxon,” the man rumbled, his voice deep enough to vibrate the glasses on our table. “Been a while.
Understanding clicked into place. This was the man Ashlee had cheated with.
“Davis Brady,” Ashlee purred, looking up at her companion adoringly before fixing Jaxon with a venomous stare. “The real man I upgraded to after wasting three years on
you.
Davis placed a heavy hand on her waist, his eyes never leaving Jaxon. “Your ex been bothering you, baby?”
“He’s been saying horrible things about me,” she pouted, the performance so
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77 Chapter 77- An Ex’s Bitter Return and a Giant’s Challenge.
transparent it would have been comical if the situation weren’t so volatile.
Eamon shifted subtly, positioning himself for quick intervention. I remained seated, watching carefully, assessing the threat level. The glant was impressively built, but I’d faced far more dangerous opponents. Still, in this crowded space, any conflict could quickly escalate beyond control.
Davis stepped forward, looming over our table. “You talking shit about my woman?”
Jaxon shook his head frantically. “No, I wasn’t–we were just-”
“Because it sounds like you’re still hung up on her,” Davis continued, his massive hands. curling into fists the size of small hams. “Can’t accept that she traded up.”
Ashlee was practically glowing with satisfaction, watching Jaxon squirm. “He’s pathetic,” she told Davis loudly, ensuring everyone nearby could hear. “Always has been. Remember what I told you about his… shortcomings?”
She emphasized the last word, and cruel laughter rippled through the onlookers. Jaxon’s face burned with humiliation.
“We don’t want trouble,” I said calmly, meeting Davis’s gaze directly. “We’re just here to watch the fights.”
Davis barely glanced at me, focusing his intimidation on Jaxon. “Know what I think? I think you should apologize to Ashlee for spreading lies.”
“I haven’t spread any-”
“On your knees,” Davis interrupted, his voice dropping dangerously.
Silence fell around us. Even the nearby spectators seemed to hold their breath.
“What?” Jaxon whispered.
Ashlee stepped forward, her eyes glittering with malice. “You heard him. On your knees, Jaxon. Apologize properly.”
The public humiliation was clearly her goal – not just an apology but complete degradation in front of an audience. This wasn’t about clearing her name; it was about crushing whatever was left of Jaxon’s dignity.
“That’s enough,” I said, my voice hardening.
77 Chapter 77–An Ex’s Bitter Return and a Giant’s Challenge
Ashlee sneered at me. “Mind your own business. This is between me, Jaxon,
and
my
man.”
Davis finally turned his attention to me, sizing me up with dismissive eyes. “Your friend needs to learn some respect.”
*Respect is earned,” I replied evenly. “I haven’t seen anything worthy of it yet.”
The giant’s eyes narrowed dangerously. He was clearly unaccustomed to being challenged.
Ashlee, seeming to realize she wasn’t getting the immediate capitulation she wanted from Jaxon, changed tactics. Her gaze slid to Aurora.
“And who’s this little mouse?” she asked, venom dripping from every word. “Your new plaything, Jaxon?”
Aurora met her gaze steadily. “I’m a colleague. Nothing more.”
“Really?” Ashlee’s smile was razor–sharp. “Maybe Davis should show you what a real man feels like. You’d never look at Jaxon again.”
Davis’s mouth curved into an ugly smile. “She’s pretty,” he agreed, eyeing Aurora like she was merchandise. “I could break her in for you, baby. Wouldn’t be the first time.”
Something inside Jaxon snapped. He lurched to his feet, his fear momentarily overcome by outrage. “Don’t talk to her like that!”
Before anyone could react, he swung a wild, clumsy punch at Davis’s jaw. The giant barely moved, the impact making no more impression than if Jaxon had struck a concrete wall.
Davis looked down at him, almost amused. “That it?”
Jaxon stepped back, shaking his hand in pain, the momentary courage already fading.
“Pathetic,” Ashlee laughed. “Just like in bed.”
Davis grabbed Jaxon by the front of his shirt, lifting him until his feet barely touched the ground. “Try that again, and I’ll break every bone in your hand.”
Jaxon dangled helplessly, his face a mask of terror.
“Put him down,” I said, finally standing.
(77 Chapter 77–An Ex’s Bitter Return and a Giant’s Challenge.
“Or what?” Davis challenged, not even bothering to look at me.
“Please,” Ashlee said, her voice dripping with contempt. “Your little friend couldn’t even make me feel a tickle. What exactly are you going to do?”
She turned her attention back to Jaxon, who was still suspended in Davis’s grip. “Here’s what’s going to happen. You’re going to get on your knees and lick my shoe. Then
–
maybe maybe – Davis won’t rearrange your face.“”
–
Jaxon’s eyes were wide with terror and humiliation. Davis lowered him slightly but maintained his grip.
Ashlee extended one foot, her expensive stiletto pointing at Jaxon. “Start licking, ex–boyfriend.”
The crowd around us was utterly silent now, all attention on this spectacle of cruelty. I glanced at Eamon, whose face had hardened into a mask of disapproval.
“I really don’t like this couple,” I said quietly to him, my voice ice–cold.
Eamon nodded, rolling his fists with a subtle crack of knuckles. “I understand, Mr.
Smith.”
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