The young man’s piercing gaze remained locked on Beckett Robinson, scanning him meticulously from head to toe, over and over again.
Was this guy’s guts really that big? How could someone like Beckett Robinson, who valued his life above all, suddenly turn into a fearless warrior?
Did he think he wouldn’t dare to kill him? Or did he believe that Hiphia was his turf?
Whatever the reason, the young man didn’t mind letting Beckett Robinson have a taste of death. Curling his lips into a sinister grin, he said, “You’ve got guts, I’ll give you that. But you’re barking up the wrong tree. I’ll give you one chance-turn around and scram!”
Beckett Robinson held his ground, staring straight into the young man’s eyes. “You’re the one who needs to get lost! Pretending to be the Defender is a crime punishable by death. The real Defender knows what’s going on here and is probably on his way right now. You’re finished!”
The young man scoffed, unfazed. He trusted his organization’s intel-there was no way they’d be wrong about this. This was nothing more than a bluff, a desperate attempt to rattle him.
Foolish. If he were the type to back down from such empty threats, how could he be the Defender of the South? His smile turned cold, and with a chilling tone, he said, “If you’re so eager to die, I’ll oblige. Liam John, finish him.”
The masked man, Liam John, stepped forward, each step radiating an overwhelming aura, like a beast unleashed. His presence alone was enough to make the air heavy.
Beckett Robinson instinctively shuffled back, his muscles tense and his face twitching, but he never abandoned his position in front of Georgia Adams.
Despite the fear coursing through him, he bit down and declared with unwavering resolve, “You can kill me, but if you dare lay a finger on my lady, you’ll pay with your lives!”
Beckett was a businessman, yes, but years of working under Fletcher Atkinson had instilled in him a courage he never thought he had. He wasn’t just a merchant-he was a man of Seclela, a man with a spine!
The woman behind him was his charge, his responsibility, and he would not back down-not even an inch.
The young man watched this display with genuine surprise. This guy-just a subordinate of one of the Zodiac Generals-had this much nerve? For someone raised in the cutthroat world of business to face death so fearlessly?
It only further underscored how formidable the real Defender must be.
Fine. If he wanted to die, so be it. He’d kill both of them and make a point.
“Do it!”
Boom!
Before Beckett could react, Liam John’s fist slammed into his chest like a hammer, sending him flying. Blood sprayed from his mouth, painting the air red as his body crashed onto a table, shattering it to splinters.
Georgia Adams gasped, frozen in shock. She turned to see Beckett’s mangled body on the ground, his chest caved in grotesquely, blood seeping from the wound. He coughed up another mouthful of blood, his neck now stained crimson. His face contorted in agony, his body lifeless save for shallow, ragged breaths.
It was horrifying. One punch-that’s all it took for Liam John to break him.
The murmurs of doubt and fear among the onlookers fell silent. Those who had been swayed by Beckett’s words moments earlier were now petrified.
Georgia screamed, clutching her head as tears streamed down her face. The sight of Beckett’s broken body, his blood splattered across her, overwhelmed her completely.
Despite the pain, Beckett raised a trembling hand toward her. She stumbled over, her voice trembling as she whimpered, “No… no… no!”
Kneeling beside him, Georgia sobbed uncontrollably. “I’m sorry… I’m so sorry!”
Beckett forced a weak smile, his voice barely above a whisper. “No… dying for you, my lady… is my greatest honor. My only regret… is failing to protect you.”
With those final words, his hand fell, and his breathing ceased.
“No… no, no, no!” Georgia’s cries filled the room as she clung to his lifeless body, her tears falling like rain. This was the second person who had died for her. Beckett Robinson, a man she barely knew, had sacrificed himself for her.
Why? Why did it have to be him?
She was shattered, consumed by despair.
The young man, meanwhile, wore a cold, detached expression as he surveyed the room. Then, in a voice as sharp as a blade, he declared, “This is what happens to those who defy me.”
His gaze shifted back to Georgia, and his tone darkened. “And now… it’s your turn.”
The red-clad woman stepped forward, her movements deliberate and menacing.
She loomed over Georgia, her voice icy as she said, “In your next life, remember to behave.”
Gripping Georgia’s hair, the woman raised her dagger. But she didn’t strike immediately; instead, she let the moment drag on, savoring the fear in Georgia’s eyes.
Beckett’s death dispirited Georgia greatly. She stared blankly at the woman in red and said in a feigned intimidating tone, “You’ll reap what you sow, I swear!”
The woman chuckled and muttered to herself. “Before I reap what I sow, I’ll let the Grim Reaper drag you off first! Calm down. Don’t be nervous. We’ll take our time! You will clearly feel death looming!”
“You’ll feel it,” the woman whispered, her voice dripping with malice. “The cold steel sliding across your throat. Slowly, ever so slowly. The blood will spray-onto your face, your clothes, maybe even me. But don’t worry. It’s all part of the process. Everyone meets death eventually.”
The blade pressed against Georgia’s neck, its icy touch sending shivers down her spine. Death had never felt so close.