Kayden’s driving skills were undeniably impressive, but from the moment he got into the car, he had carried himself with an air of superiority, as if no one could touch him.
Nadia had made up her mind-she was going to knock this guy down a peg or two. He needed to understand that no matter how good he thought he was, there was always someone better.
On the other hand, Kayden was scanning the crowd, sizing them up. He could sense the tension in the air.
These people needed a lesson, and he was more than willing to deliver it.
Nadia had spent most of the ride recounting Kyler’s long list of misdeeds, and Kayden knew that if he didn’t act, all of Kyler’s pursuit of her would have been for nothing.
As soon as Kayden stepped out of the car, the sound of screeching tires ripped through the air.
A sports car was barreling toward them at breakneck speed. There was no mistaking it-it was Kyler, his face twisted in fury, his eyes bloodshot with rage.
The moment Kyler saw Kayden standing there, an overwhelming urge surged through him.
He had to run him down. He had to end this.
Kyler slammed his foot down on the gas pedal, the engine roaring as the car sped forward without hesitation.
Nadia’s heart jumped into her throat. “Kayden, look out!” she screamed, her voice filled with genuine panic.
As much as she found his arrogance insufferable, there was something about the way he handled himself behind the wheel that had earned her begrudging admiration.
And, despite everything, she didn’t want to see him die.
But her warning came too late. Kyler was moving too fast, and there was no way Kayden could dodge in time.
Still, Kayden stood his ground, completely unflinching. His expression was eerily calm as if he were watching the whole thing unfold from a distance, utterly unconcerned with the speeding car hurtling toward him.
“Even when you’re about to die, you’ve still got to act cool, huh?” Nadia muttered under her breath.
She shut her eyes tightly, too terrified to watch what was about to happen.
And she wasn’t the only one.
Tony and the others nearby had turned away, their faces pale, bracing themselves for the inevitable carnage.
Then, a deafening crash echoed down the street, the violent sound reverberating through the air like a car slamming into a brick wall.
And that’s exactly what had happened.
Just as Kyler muttered under his breath, “Die, you bastard,” something strange occurred. It was as if an invisible force-some kind of barrier-had materialized in front of Kayden.
Kyler’s car collided with this invisible wall at full speed. The impact sent the vehicle spinning out of control, the tires screeching as it spun several times before finally coming to a stop.
When the dust settled, the front of the car was a mangled wreck. The hood crumpled like a soda can. The airbags had deployed, filling the car cabin.
Miraculously-perhaps even unbelievably-Kyler wasn’t dead.
He stumbled out of the car, dazed and disoriented, his body swaying like a man who had just stepped off a rollercoaster.
His face was scratched up, and his clothes were torn, but it was clear that the damage wasn’t life-threatening.
Credit where it was due-the expensive car had at least kept him alive.
“You’re okay?” Nadia asked, her voice filled with surprise as she hurried over to Kayden, her eyes scanning him up and down, searching for any sign of injury.
Kayden simply shook his head, his tone calm and assured. “Of course I’m fine.”
Nadia couldn’t believe it. That car had been barreling right toward him, practically seconds away from impact, yet here he stood-completely unscathed.
It was nothing short of miraculous. She had squeezed her eyes shut in terror, missing whatever had happened in those final moments.
When she opened them again, Kyler’s car had somehow been flung ten meters back, smoke rising from the hood.
Kyler looked utterly bewildered.
What just happened? How could he have missed?
He had been mere inches away from Kayden, and then… it all went wrong. It was like his car had slammed into an invisible wall.
He glanced around, searching for any clue.
There was no wall. There was nothing in front of Kayden at all.
Was this some sort of paranormal event?
Or-he hesitated-did that guy have some kind of supernatural power?
The moment that thought crossed his mind, his eyes widened in disbelief. And when he saw Nadia rushing over to check on Kayden, his confusion morphed into a burning rage.
“Mr. Clarkson! Are you alright?” A few of his men, who had arrived in a second car, rushed over to help him.
They had just witnessed the crash and were now cautiously approaching Kyler, trying to steady him.
Kyler angrily shoved them away, his face twisted with fury. “Nadia!” he shouted, his voice filled with raw emotion. “Why are you doing this to me? Do you think picking up some nobody will make me jealous? Is that it?!”
Nadia’s heart skipped a beat. She hadn’t expected things to go this far-certainly not to the point where Kyler might have lost his life.
The situation had spiraled out of control, and now she realized this “game” might have pushed Kyler to the brink.
Nadia turned her head toward Kayden, her voice taking on a playful edge as she said, “Hey, just so you know, Kyler’s not someone you want to mess with. He’s infamous for being ruthless. If you beg me right now, maybe I’ll say a good word to you. Otherwise, he’ll make your life a living hell.”
“Oh yeah? Let him try,” Kayden replied casually, completely unfazed.
Nadia stared at him, utterly incredulous. Was this guy for real?
Without missing a beat, she grabbed Kayden’s arm and, with a dramatic flair, announced to Kyler, “I don’t like you anymore, Kyler. I’m in love with him! At first, I was just using him to get under your skin, but after seeing him drive… I couldn’t help it. I fell for him! I’m sorry, but we broke up last night. He is my boyfriend now.”
Kyler’s face twisted with rage, his voice shaking as he growled, “Nadia, I swear, I’m going to kill him!”
Tony, who had been standing nearby, couldn’t resist the opportunity to mock him. “Well, well, Mr. Clarkson. Looks like your reputation’s in the gutter now. Not only did you get dumped, but your girl just publicly ditched you for some random guy. That’s rough, man.”
As Tony’s sarcastic jab landed, the guys behind him snickered, unable to hold back their laughter.
Kyler’s face flushed with humiliation. The sycophants surrounding him stayed silent, but Tony wasn’t one to play along.
He had no reason to suck up to Kyler. Tony’s background was similar-wealthy, ex-military, and certainly not someone who needed to grovel to a guy like Kyler.
Fuming from Tony’s taunt, Kyler whipped around and yelled, “What the hell are you laughing at?! This guy’s disrespected me on my own turf! Tony, you think you’re so tough? Why don’t you handle this?”
Tony sneered, his eyes narrowing as he glanced over at Kayden. But the sneer on his face quickly faded, replaced by a look of surprise.
“Holy crap, it’s you,” Tony muttered, almost to himself.
Kayden turned his head, and sure enough, it was Tony-the very same guy who was once touted as the perfect son-in-law by Scarlett.
Tony’s eyes flashed with recognition, and the memories of that humiliating day at Georgia’s house rushed back.
He hadn’t forgotten the brutal beating Kayden had given him. That grudge had been festering ever since.
He’d never forgive himself if he didn’t settle the score today.
His fists clenched tight, but he didn’t move just yet. Instead, he leaned back, content to watch things unfold.
After all, watching Kyler get humiliated by Kayden might just be the entertainment he was looking for.
Because Tony knew one thing for certain-Kayden wasn’t someone to be trifled with. If even he couldn’t take Kayden down, there was no way Kyler stood a chance.
“Get him, boys!” Kyler roared, his anger boiling over. His crew didn’t hesitate-they jumped into their cars, emerging moments later armed with steel pipes. They swarmed around Kyler, ready to go all in.
The guys standing behind Tony also began to stir, gearing up to surround Kayden.
Kyler’s fury blazed as he waved a hand, shouting, “Take him out! Kill him!”
“Hold up!”