The man known as Mr. Medvedev quickly spotted Georgia. As soon as he saw her, he led his group of men straight toward her. His eyes gleamed with an unsettling light, and his expression was that of a toad lusting after a swan.
Georgia furrowed her brows as she watched the aggressive group approach.
She wasn’t particularly afraid. After all, she’d faced situations like this before, and she had even been kidnapped once. No matter the danger, she had always managed to escape unharmed. By now, her mindset was much more composed than it used to be.
“Georgia, they seem to be coming for you,” Cyan Mella, standing nearby, whispered nervously.
Georgia didn’t respond but kept her gaze fixed on the approaching men, her expression cautious.
The group finally stopped just two or three meters away. Leading them was a burly man with a buzz cut, his face flushed red from drinking. He looked to be in his thirties, his face full of acne scars.
“Beautiful! You really are the most stunning woman in Hiphia. A true goddess,” he said, flashing a thumbs-up while making exaggerated clicking noises with his tongue in admiration.
“Hello, Miss Adams,” he continued. “My name is Edd Medvedev. I’m the leader around here, with thousands of men under my command. I’ve long heard of your beauty, and seeing you in person today has left me in awe. I’m no hero, but I believe only someone of your elegance could be worthy of me. I’ve come here today to say a few words.”
With that, he motioned to one of his men. A younger subordinate stepped forward, holding a small box. He opened it, revealing a dazzling diamond ring, large and clearly expensive. Edd knelt on one knee, his face sincere.
“Miss Georgia,” he said, his voice earnest. “Please accept my love. From the moment I heard of your beauty, I’ve known the torment of longing for you. I’ve tried to find opportunities to meet you, but none ever came. Finally, today, I’ve had the chance. I don’t want to live with regrets, so I’m here to propose to you. If you’re single, please give me a chance. I promise to make you the happiest woman in Hiphia.”
Georgia frowned deeply. Was this a joke?
Someone had actually shown up to propose to her?
She swallowed hard, momentarily at a loss for words.
Behind her, Edd’s men began to cheer, clapping and chanting rhythmically, “Marry him! Marry him! Marry him!”
The chorus of voices filled the air, but Georgia remained calm. She glanced down at Edd and said plainly, “I’m sorry, but I’m married.”
“What?” The chanting came to an abrupt halt. The crowd fell silent, and even Edd froze in place. The atmosphere seemed to solidify, as if time itself had stopped.
Edd suddenly burst into laughter. “You mean that joke of a man you’re married to? That doesn’t count. He’s nothing but a useless fool! How could someone like him ever deserve a beauty like you?”
He sneered and continued, “With your breathtaking looks, marrying that idiot is a waste. A woman like you belongs with a hero like me. I dare say, in all of Hiphia, only I am worthy of you.”
The more he spoke, the more shameless he became, practically singing his own praises.
Georgia’s tone turned firm. “I’m sorry, but I’m already married. My husband is neither a fool nor a joke.”
For reasons she couldn’t explain, hearing someone insult Kayden stirred a fierce need in her to defend him.
Edd’s expression darkened. He glared at Georgia, his voice turning cold. “So, you’re rejecting me?”
Georgia stood and replied decisively, “Yes, I’m rejecting you. Leave now.”
“Leave?” Edd’s anger boiled over. He slowly rose to his feet, his face twisted with fury. He slammed the ring box to the ground and shouted, “If I can’t have you, no one else can!”
“I wanted to handle this like a gentleman, but since you’ve refused me, I’ll have to move to Plan B.”
With a wave of his hand, he ordered his men, “Grab her and take her to the hotel. Tonight, I’ll make sure she learns what happens when she defies me.”
Edd’s mood shifted as quickly as a summer storm, his face a mask of malevolence.
His men immediately obeyed, their aggressive demeanor making it clear they had no intention of backing down. But just as they were about to reach Georgia, a voice rang out:
“Stop!”
The command was sharp and forceful, followed by the sound of a hand slamming against a table.
A tall figure rose from Georgia’s side.
“Are you all out of your minds? Do you not realize that Miss Adams is my friend?” Luther said, his eyes narrowing dangerously as he glared at the group.
His imposing presence was like a mountain, unshakable and daunting.
After speaking, he casually pulled out a cigarette, lit it, and took a few leisurely drags.
One of Edd’s men, a man with dyed yellow hair, squinted at Luther and muttered nervously, “Is that… Falcon?”
Luther’s voice dropped to a menacing growl. “Since you know who I am, why aren’t you leaving yet?”
His words carried an air of authority, and his demeanor instantly elevated his stature in the eyes of those around him.
The yellow-haired man gulped and stammered, “S-sorry! Sorry, Falcon! We’ll leave right away!”
Luther’s gaze remained fixed on Georgia as he added, “And let me warn you-don’t ever target Miss Adams again. If I hear of you bothering her, you’ll regret it.”
This was all part of Luther’s plan: to play the hero saving the damsel. He was certain Georgia would look at him differently now.
“Y-yes, of course!” The yellow-haired man nodded repeatedly, then turned to Edd and urged, “Mr. Medvedev, this is Falcon. We can’t afford to mess with him. Let’s go!”
Cyan Mella watched the scene in awe. She turned to Luther and exclaimed, “Falcon, you’re so cool! I had no idea your reputation reached all the way to Hiphia. You’re amazing!”
Luther shrugged nonchalantly. “This? It’s nothing. Just a regular day for me.”
Edd, however, wasn’t having it. His voice rose in a furious roar. “To hell with Falcon! I don’t care how famous you are! No one stops me from doing what I want-not even God Himself!”