79 Chapter 79 – A Slap of Defiance, A Ring’s Summons
I knew that look in Jaxon’s eyes all too well–the desperate calculation of a man backed into a corner, weighing what little dignity he had left against the safety of those around him.
We’d barely stepped out of the Underground Ring when they surrounded us.
“Going somewhere?” A harsh female voice cut through the night air.
Ashlee stood before us, but she wasn’t alone anymore. Six burly men formed a semicircle behind her, each one looking like they punched concrete for fun. They wore matching black tank tops with “Underground Elite” emblazoned across the chest.
“Davis is still unconscious,” Ashlee spat, her eyes blazing with vindictive fury. “The doctor says he might have a concussion.”
The biggest of the boxers, a mountain of a man with a scar running down his left cheek, cracked his knuckles. “Nobody hurts one of our boys and just walks away.”
I felt Aurora tense beside me. Eamon subtly shifted his stance, ready to move at a moment’s notice. Jaxon, however, seemed to crumple inward, his shoulders sagging as if the weight had become too much.
“Look,” Jaxon started, his voice small, “I’m sorry about what happened to Davis. But he
attacked me first-
“Shut your mouth,” Ashlee snapped. “Davis told me everything before the fight. You were hitting on me, trying to get me back, and when I rejected you, you said disgusting things.”
The absurdity of her lie might have been amusing if the situation weren’t so dangerous.
“That’s not what happened,” Aurora interjected firmly.
“Six against four, one of the boxers sneered, ignoring Aurora completely. “I like those
odds.”
“Make that six against three,” another chuckled, eyeing Jaxon dismissively. “That scrawny one doesn’t count.”
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I watched as something broke in Jaxon. His eyes darted around, searching for an escape route that didn’t exist. Then his gaze dropped to the ground. My stomach turned as I recognized what he was about to do.
“Maybe if I… Jaxon whispered, starting to bend at the knees. “If I apologize properly…”
He was going to kneel. Beg. Humiliate himself in hopes they’d let the rest of us go.
My hand shot out, gripping his shoulder hard enough to make him wince.
“Don’t, I ordered, my voice low but sharp.
Jaxon looked at me with eyes swimming in desperation. “They’ll hurt you all because of
me.”
“Showing weakness doesn’t make predators merciful,” I said, turning to face Ashlee and her thugs. “It just confirms they’ve found prey.
I knew this truth better than most. For three years, I had been the Sterling family’s doormat. Every time I bowed my head, bent my knee, or swallowed my pride, they only grew bolder in their cruelty.
“Who exactly do you think you are?” Ashlee demanded, stepping forward until she was inches from my face. Her perfume was expensive but applied too heavily, cloying and artificial. “Do you know who these men are? They’re the top fighters from the Elite Boxing Club”
I kept my expression neutral. “I don’t care if they’re the king’s personal guard. You started this fight, and now you’re hiding behind hired muscle.”
“Hiding?” she scoffed, eyes narrowing. “I’m simply making sure justice is served. Davis is hurt because of you people.”
“Davis is hurt because he attacked someone and lost, I corrected. “That’s called
consequences, not injustice.”
Her face contorted with rage. “You arrogant piece of-” She raised her hand, ready to slap me.
This woman was used to getting her way, used to men cowering before her beauty and connections. She expected me to flinch, to back down.
Instead, I caught her wrist mid–swing.
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–
“Don’t, I warned quietly.
She yanked her arm free, eyes wild with indignation. “How dare you touch me! Do you know who my father is?”
“Another person you hide behind?” I asked simply.
“I’m going to enjoy watching them break every bone in your body,” she hissed, stepping back toward her protection. “And when they’re done with you, your little friends are
next.”
Something cold and hard settled in my chest. It wasn’t anger–it was clarity. This woman wouldn’t stop. People like her never did. They mistook kindness for weakness,
restraint for fear.
“You know,” I said, my voice eerily calm, “I’ve never hit a woman before.”
She laughed mockingly. “And you never will.”
My hand moved before I could second–guess myself. The slap wasn’t particularly hard, but the sound cracked through the night air like a gunshot. Ashlee’s head snapped to the side, her perfectly styled hair falling across her face.
For a moment, complete silence descended. Even the boxers seemed frozen in
disbelief.
Then Ashlee raised trembling fingers to her cheek, her eyes wide with shock. “You…. you hit me.”
“I did,” I confirmed.
“Kill him,” Ashlee whispered, backing away. “Kill all of them.”
The boxers moved as one, closing in like a pack of wolves. I didn’t need to look at Eamon to know he was ready. This wasn’t our first fight against overwhelming odds. The biggest one lunged at me, telegraphing his haymaker from a mile away.
Then a voice cut through the tension like a blade.
“Enough!”
The command carried such authority that everyone, even the boxers, paused. A man stepped out from the shadows of the Underground Ring’s entrance. He was in his
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fifties, with steel–gray hair and the kind of lean, wiry build that spoke of decades of disciplined training rather than showy muscles.
“Mr. Gibson,” one of the boxers muttered, immediately straightening.
So this was the famous Mr. Gibson, the owner of the Underground Ring and, if rumors were true, a Fifth–rank Inner Strength expert. His eyes, sharp and evaluating, took in the scene with practiced efficiency.
“What is the meaning of this?” he demanded. “Taking club business outside my establishment? Creating a spectacle on my doorstep?”
“Sir,” Ashlee began, her voice instantly switching to a respectful tone, “these people assaulted Davis Brady. They put him in the hospital.”
Gibson’s gaze flicked to me, then to Eamon. “I saw the security footage. Davis Brady attacked first. The response was measured and appropriate.”
“But-” Ashlee started.
“But nothing,” Gibson cut her off. “Davis broke the rules. Outside the ring, no fighter initiates combat. Period.”
“These aren’t even members!” Ashlee protested. “They shouldn’t have been here in the first place!”
“They were invited guests,” Gibson stated with finality. “And you, young lady, are responsible for Davis Brady’s medical bills. Club policy when a fighter initiates unsanctioned combat.”
Ashlee’s face reddened with fury. “My father will hear about this!”
“I’m sure Lawrence Pratt would be fascinated to learn his daughter is frequenting underground boxing matches and instigating fights,” Gibson replied dryly. “Feel free to involve him.”
Ashlee’s mouth snapped shut.
Gibson turned to the boxers, “Back inside, all of you. I’ll deal with this.”
They hesitated, looking between Gibson and Ashlee.
“Now,” Gibson added, his voice carrying a quiet threat.
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One by one, the boxers retreated, disappearing back into the building. Ashlee stood. alone now, her confident facade cracking.
“This isn’t over,” she hissed at us, then stormed off toward the parking lot.
I expected Gibson to dismiss us too, but instead, he studied me with unnerving intensity.
“You,” he said, pointing at Eamon. “I recognize your technique. Who trained you?”
Eamon smiled slightly. “Various teachers, sir. Most recently, Master Chen”
Gibson nodded appreciatively. “Good lineage. You have talent” Then his gaze shifted to me. “But you… you’re more interesting. No formal training that I can see, yet you carry yourself with unusual confidence.”
I said nothing, unsure where this was going.
“I saw how you handled that woman,” Gibson continued. “Most men would have either
backed down or overreacted. You did neither.”
“Thank you for intervening.” I said, hoping to end the conversation.
Gibson’s lips curled into what might have been a smile or a sneer. “I didn’t do it for you. I did it to maintain order.” He paused, eyes narrowing. “But now I’m curious. You slapped a woman who deserved worse, but you held back considerably. Why?”
“Violence should be proportional to the threat,” I answered simply.
“Indeed.” Gibson nodded slowly. “You know, we have rules here, but also traditions. When someone disrupts the peace of the Underground Ring, there are ways to settle
matters.”
I felt a chill run down my spine. I didn’t like where this was heading.
“What are you suggesting?” I asked carefully.
“A match,” Gibson said, his eyes gleaming with sudden interest. “You and me. Three rounds in the ring.”
Jaxon gasped. Aurora grabbed my arm. Even Eamon looked concerned.
“He’s a Fifth–rank Inner Strength expert, Eamon murmured. “Let me take this one.”
79 Chapter 79 A Slap of Defiance, A Ring’s Summons
Gibson shook his head. “Not you. Him.” He pointed directly at me. “I want to see what
he’s made of”
“Why me?” I asked, genuinely perplexed.
“Instinct,” Gibson replied cryptically. “I’ve been fighting for forty years. I can tell when someone is hiding their true capabilities.”
The challenge hung in the air between us. I knew accepting would be dangerous- Gibson was far more experienced and likely stronger than he appeared. But refusing would raise even more questions.
“What do you say?” Gibson pressed, his expression hardening. “Or don’t you have the stomach for a fair fight?”
I caught Eamon’s subtle head shake, Aurora’s worried eyes, Jaxon’s pale face. They all thought this was a bad idea.
They were probably right.
Gibson leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a whisper only I could hear. “That ring. on your finger… I recognize the craftsmanship. Jianghu work, isn’t it? Very rare in this part of the world.”
My blood froze. The jade ring had been my father’s–one of the few possessions I had of his. How could Gibson possibly recognize its origin?
Gibson’s eyes gleamed with triumph at my reaction. “So, what’s it going to be? Will you answer the ring’s summons… or walk away?”
He turned toward the entrance of the Underground Ring, pausing only to throw one final challenge over his shoulder.
“What, you don’t dare?”
