Chapter 20
“I don’t owe you an explanation Simon snapped, not holding back.
“If you don’t tell me, I’ll call Mom right now, babel threatened, reaching for her phone as if to dial
Simon’s eyes widened in panic. He grabbed her wrist quickly. “Don’t call her! Don’t!” he pleaded, his voice tense. “Mom will just freak out if she sees me like this.”
Isabel stopped, but her gaze didn’t soften. “Fine, but you’re not getting off easy. Tell me what happened.
Simon hesitated, his shoulders slumping as he let out a long sigh. “It’s Phillip Jefferson, that rich kid from school. I pissed him off by accident, and now he’s been after me. He got his goons. Rex and his crew, to give me a lesson. I couldn’t do anything about it… so, here I am,”
Isabel’s expression softened just a little. “So you didn’t want to go home because you were scared Mom would see you and worry, right?” she asked, her voice much gentler now,
Simon nodded, avoiding her eyes.
Isabel’s grip on his hand tightened. Take me to them. We’re going to senle this?
Simon recoiled, shaking his head. “No way! The Jefferson family is loaded, and Rex’s got serious connections. We can’t mess with them.”
“Shut up.” Isabel snapped. “I said take me to them. No more excuses. I’m your sister–don’t you trust me?
Simon froze, visibly shaken by Isabel’s fierce determination. But the thought of facing the whole gang made him break out in a cold sweat
“I’m not going, he muttered, his voice weak. “If you want to go, you go alone.”
“Scaredy–cat Why are you being such a wimp? You’re not going! Fine. I’ll just call Mom and tell her to come take me instead,” Isabel said, already reaching for her phone.
“No! Simon quickly grabbed her wrist, panic creeping into his voice. She’d hit him where it hurt, and he knew it.
Reluctantly, he sighed, knowing there was no way out now. With a resigned grunt, he muttered, “Fine. I’ll take you there.”
After a while, they arrived at a dimly lit bar. Simon glanced nervously around.
“Phillip and Rex are regulars here. And Rex’s got a lot of pull around these parts–people are scared of him. Are you sure you want to do this?” he asked, voice shaky.
Isabel didn’t say a word. She just walked in, her
confident and unbothered,
Simon hesitated, worry gnawing at him. He didn’t want to leave her alone in this kind of place, but he couldn’t just stand by either. Clenching his fists, he followed her inside.
At the front desk, Isabel casually asked the bartender about someone named Jefferson. The bartender, recognizing the name, quickly pointed them in the right direction.
It was obvious Phillip and Rex were well–known here. Everyone seemed to recognize them. Isabel thought, but this couldn’t scare her away.
She then glanced at Simon, who followed her to the front desk “What are you doing here?” Isabel asked. “Aren’t you scared of them or something?”
Simon stammered, scrambling for an excuse. “I.. I couldn’t just leave you here alone. Mom would kill me.
Isabel didn’t respond. Instead, she kicked open the door with one swift motion, her foot slamming into it like a bartering ram,
Simon froze, eyes wide. That’s some serious strength He thought. She was just like their brother Alex, no fear, no hesitation.
Inside, Phillip and Rex’s crew were partying, laughing, and drinking. When the door crashed open, they all stopped and stared in shock.
“Well, well, well I was wondering who had the guts to kick in Rex’s door. Looks like it’s you, Simon Phillip said, a smug smile spreading across his face. “What’s up? Still sore from last night’s beating? Didn’t get enough?”
Simon’s throat tightened, but he couldn’t say a word. He knew how this was going to play out.
Filio Check–in
11:30AM
Chapter 20
on his face. “Rex, this kid’s out of line. Let’s teach him a lesson!” Phillip turned to Rex, a malicious grin on
Rex, who had the look of a man who’d been through a hundred fights, sar hack, his bald head gleaming under the low lights. Tattoos crawled up neck and arms, his whole body radiating menace. His crew, a group of equally intimidating men, watched eagerly.
He raised a hand, signaling Phillip to shut up. Then, he turned his cold eyes to Isabel and Simon. “What’s this? You bring a woman into our turf? What’s the play here?
simon, his nerves on edge, was too scared to respond. He couldn’t even protect himself, let alone Isabel
Phillip laughed so hard. “I see what’s going on here. Rex. This kid’s trying to make peace by offering a woman as a gift!”
“Watch your mouth. She’s my sister!” Simon shot back, his voice defensive, though it lacked conviction.
“Sister, huh?” Phillip laughed louder, eyes gleaming with interest. “Well, that makes things even more interesting. She’s looking good. How about sticking around and having some fun with us?
Rex slowly got to his feet, his eyes narrowing as he pointed at Simon. “Your sister stays, and as for you…. well, if you crawl through my legs, I’ll let you go.”
“Yeah, yeah! It’s an honor, really,” Phillip chimed in with a grin, “Hurry up, Simon. Crawl through his legs and beg for mercy!”
Simon’s face turned red with anger and embarrassment. He tugged at Isabel’s sleeve, trying to pull her away. “Let’s get out of here”
“I’m not going” Isabel didn’t flinch.
“Looks like Rex’s caught your eye, huh? You planning on sticking around and keeping us company?” Phillip’s grin widened as his interest piqued.
Isabel stepped forward, one foot on the coffee table, looking down at the group with an icy calm. “Sure, I’m here to stay. The real question is, can you handle it?
The room went still. The air suddenly felt heavy, as if she’d just shifted the balance of power
Rex, who was used to intimidating everyone around him, felt a cold sweat trickle down his spine. His cocky grin faded, and he stood up slowly. sensing the shift in energy.
Phillip, still arrogant, stepped forward, a sneer on hi
a sneer on his lips. “So, you’re sticking
sticking around, huh? Don’t say I didn’t warn you?
He reached to grab Isabel, but before he could lay a finger on her, Simon pushed him away with surprising strength. “Don’t you dare touch my sister!”
Isabel blinked, a flash of surprise crossing her face. She hadn’t expected Simon to stand up for her, but there he was, pushing Phillip away. Phillip stumbled back, fury flashing across his face. “Rex, let’s get this kid first!”
But before Rex could strike, Isabel reacted in a blur of motion. She grabbed a beer bottle from the table and swung it at his head. The bottle shattering against his skull.
Crack!
Rex crumpled to the floor, blood streaming from his forehead.
“Don’t you dare mess with Rex! Phillip roared, and a swarm of thugs charged forward,
Simon’s heart raced in panic. But before he could react, Isabel shoved him aside. In one swift motion, she grabbed a beer bottle from the table and swung it at the thugs.
Crash Bang! Thud!
The sounds of the chaos echoed through the room, leaving Simon wide–eyed and frozen in disbelief. He could only watch Isabel took them down one by one with lightning speed–cach thug hitting the ground before they even knew what hit them
Phillip, shocked, was kicked hard in the chest. He gasped, pain searing through him as he fought to breathe.
Rex wiped the blood from his face, fuming. “Darn it! ! You’re asking for it!”
He pulled out a knife, aiming it at Isabel. Simon’s eyes widened in horror as he saw the blade coming. He wanted to shout a warning, but his mouth 24
Ein Chec-
Chapter 20
went dry. It was too late.
Just as the knife was an inch from Isabel, she struck with perfect timing, knocking the weapon from Rex’s hand.
In one fluid motion, she kicked Rex into the wall with a resounding crash. He crumpled to the floor, groaning in pain.
The thugs wailed in agony.
What the hell? Simon watched in disbelief as he looked around at the knocked–out thugs. He didn’t expect Isabel to be such a heroine.
Rex and Phillip were clearly rattled. They struggled to rise, leaning themselves on the wall.
“You Rex was
was going to say something before another beer bottle smashed into his head. He stumbled backward, crashing to the floor again.
Phillip crawled
over
er to Black Dog, grabbing him by the collar.
“Rex, call Mr. Preston! We need him to deal with her.”
“Mr. Preston? Isabel narrowed her eyes at the mention of the name.
