The man stood where he was with an arrogant stance of a victor. “You piece of sh*t! That was against the rules!” Narissa boomed.
“Who cares as long as it works? Toodle-oo!”
The man flicked the visor of his hat uncaringly and ran outside without a backward glance. His journey downstairs was smooth. After he walked out of the back door of the building, he turned into an alley where he parked his car.
He unlocked the car with his key and quickly got into it before slamming the door shut. He had just inserted the key to make his great escape when the car alarm sounded as soon as he turned the key. “Leakage in the vehicle’s tire! Repair required! Repair required!”
At the same time, the doors were automatically locked and all the windows were rolled up, sealing the entire car into an airtight space.
Seeing this, the man hurriedly slammed his body against the door. However, the result was one that he imagined-there was no way he could use his strength and his body made of flesh and bones to compete with steel. He was completely locked inside.
Knock! Knock!
A series of knocks rang out from the car window on the other side.
Hearing that, the man turned his face that way and saw that Alexander was already standing beside the car at some point.
“You punctured my tires, so I let out the air from yours. An eye for an eye. We are even now. This is the third time. I’m sure you have nothing to say in your defense.”
The man glanced at Alexander and turned his head to the front as he hit the steering wheel, sounding the car horn.
Alexander had caught and let go of the man. twice now. The man would either have to be brave or stupid enough to make a run for it again. There was no hope for him if he fell into Alexander’s hands again a third time.
Left with no choice, he obediently followed Alexander and Elise back to the Griffith Manor. The first thing they did when they got home was to give Narissa the antidote.
The drug this time was specially made to tackle Narissa based on the previous time, which made it more potent. The antidote they had in hand was completely useless against the drug. In the end, the man had to use acupuncture on her to nullify the residue of drugs in her.
“It’s done. The man plucked out the last needle and let out a long sigh of relief. “You must be super strong. Only half of your body got numb after I poked a needle in you. Any ordinary person would have lost the ability to move a long time ago.”
“I wouldn’t have to put up with being half numb if you hadn’t poked me with your damn needle!” Narissa glared at him, her eyes ablaze.
“It took a fight for the two of you to know each other, hmm? Go on, shake your hands and forget about the past grudges. You’re friends from now on.” Alexander became the mediator between the two. After he said that, he threw the man a knowing look, prompting him to take the first step.
Fine! I’ll be a gentleman this one time, the man thought before he thrusted a hand forward without any hesitation. “Miss Cuber, I apologize for offending you.”
Face glum, Narissa reached out and shook it without an ounce of sincerity. Right when the man was about to retract his hand, she suddenly raised her hand and slapped him.
Whack! The startled man covered a hand over his cheek and shrieked, “What are you doing?!”
“Now this is fair!” Narissa huffed. The man was so angry that his other cheek also puffed out. “Now I know what people mean when they say that small-minded men and women are the hardest to deal with!”
“Ahem!” Alexander forced a cough and pretended like he hadn’t seen the slap. Instead, he read out some information about the man. “Zephyr Lorwhal, one of the most outstanding graduates from Area X. Nicknamed Modern- Day Hippocrates, also known as Claude Strike’s successor.
As soon as Zephyr heard the name, he put down his hand and whipped his head in Alexander’s direction. “I don’t agree with the last description. The new overthrow the old. I was the ‘new’ who overthrew the ‘old’. Claude Strike is not on my level.”
No craftsman wanted to live in someone else’s shadow.
“Psh!” Narissa snorted. “Everyone has heard of Claude Strike’s name, but I’ve never known of a Zephyr Lorwhal. A loser like you would remain unknown if you hadn’t taken advantage of Claude Strike’s reputation.”
“Nuh-uh. You didn’t know my name, Miss Cuber, and yet you have missed me for so many days. Apart from my medical skills, I think I’m a pretty charming man, no?” Smiling shamelessly, Zephyr started to stare at her with his almond- shaped eyes.
“You’re right. I did think about you.” Narissa’s eyes narrowed into slits and she clenched her fists. “I was thinking about how to pluck your head off!”
With that, both of them went for each other’s neck at the same time with one of them waving her fists in the air while the other brandished his needles. The air was getting tense once more. Alexander’s expression quickly darkened when he saw this. “Zephyr Lorwhal, apologize.”
He couldn’t help fuming at how petty the man was acting when men should be generous. Why is he picking a fight with her?
Although Zephyr was indignant, he didn’t want to embarrass Alexander. Again, he took the first step to concede while he gave an apology of some sort. “I’m sorry, my lady! You are a generous woman with a heart so big you could put a watermelon in it and a forehead so clear I’m sure there is a bright mind inside it. Even the Milky Way-
Pow!
Once again, Narissa’s palm landed on his cheek, only it was on the other side this time. At least it was balanced now. Frustrated, Zephyr sandwiched his face between his palms. “Why did you slap me again?!”
“Don’t think that I don’t know you’re insulting me for having a high hairline!” She couldn’t calm down.
“Oh, please! Can you not selectively listen to others? I’m praising you for being generous, okay? Are you uneducated or something?” Zephyr couldn’t help feeling upset from being wrongfully accused.
Narissa felt ashamed for a moment, but she quickly toughened up and refuted, “I grew up in Mesdra! It’s normal for me not to know! You’re the one at fault for all that showing off!”
She then turned around and stomped up the stairs. Looking at her retreating figure, he rubbed his cheeks like mad and whined, “What a scary woman. She’ll never get a husband at this rate.”
“You’re wrong. She already has one!” Elise smilingly corrected him.
“Goodness, which kind soul is it? That’s a real man right there.” Zephyr gave a thumbs-up as a look of admiration appeared on his face.
“That’s none of your business. I brought you back for something more important.” Alexander beckoned Elise over. “Come here, honey.”
She obediently went over and stood beside him. He then smoothly wrapped an arm around her, but his face was solemn when he looked at Zephyr and instructed, “My wife has a minor burn mark. I want you to treat her.”
Elise came to a jolt upon hearing that and she dazedly lifted her head to look at Alexander. He’s actually worried about something like this on my behalf?
Is this why he went through all that trouble to capture Zephyr? Does he want to get my face treated?
At a loss for words, Elise immediately felt a warmth flooding her chest. She didn’t think Alexander would still prioritize her even when he had so many other problems he needed to worry about.
Zephyr only took a glance at Elise. He didn’t seem like he was going to agree to help. “If my memory hasn’t failed me, the only thing I promised you was to tell you my name. I never said anything about obeying you.”
Alexander had already anticipated such a reaction. “This manor…” he abruptly brought up. “The reason you’ve tried to get us out of here, again and again, is because you’re worried someone would notice that the items in here are damaged, isn’t it?
As soon as these words came out, a flash of astonishment appeared in Zephyr’s eyes. It might have disappeared quickly, but Alexander had noticed it.
Zephyr still faked nonchalance. “You put too much thought into it. Everything I do is only to gauge how brave the boss of Smith Co. is.”
“Yeah? You can choose to reject my request. I promise you that this place will be nothing more than flat ground within three days.” The corners of Alexander’s lips were slightly curved. It was as though he had seen through the whole situation.
None of them moved as they stared at each other in the same space.
If gazes had physical forms, Zephyr’s would be a sharp knife that could pierce the sky, while Alexander’s was an unstoppable cannon that would hit him right where it hurt.
