“Ouch-”
Pierce groaned in pain, blood flowing from the corner of his mouth. Angry and in agony, he couldn’t react immediately due to the pain in his eyes.
As soon as the other patrons in the bar saw the conflict, they quickly gathered around, excited to witness a scandal unfold, eager for chaos.
A drunk woman raised her arm and shouted, “Beat the mistress to death, beat her to death.”
Abbigail clung to Darnell, her eyes hazy, a captivating smile on her face. She seemed to be enjoying Darnell’s presence as if the conflict had nothing to do with her.
“Boss !”
“Boss!”
At that moment, five or six burly men emerged from the bar. It was clear they were Pierce’s companions. Rolling up their sleeves, they approached Darnell with shouts.
But before they could reach Darnell, Darnell raised his right hand and revealed a pistol.
“Don’t move. Whoever moves, I’ll shoot them dead.”
The intimidating men were frozen in place, shocked by the sight of the gun in Darnell’s hand.
Pierce wiped away the alcohol from his eyes and felt a moment of confusion. That was his gun. How did it end up in Darnell’s hands? And he looked like he was ready to pull the trigger.
His throat went dry as he regretted bringing the gun with him. It was meant to defend against attacks from the Apex. He hadn’t expected it to be taken by Darnell.
One of them shouted, “Young lad, do you know who we are? Dare to point a gun at us? Can you handle the consequences?”
Another person chimed in, “He’s just bluffing! I bet it’s a toy.”
Someone else smashed a bottle with a loud crash and said, “If you’re a man, let’s settle this one-on-one.”
Pierce stepped forward with an imposing manner and shouted, “Young man, put down the gun.”
The gun belonged to him and he wanted it back. If it was discovered by the police, it would cause trouble.
Darnell’s face filled with sadness and anger. “You seduced my wife!”
“What’s wrong with seducing your wife? That’s giving you face.”
Pierce sneered, “You’re just a country bumpkin. Can you even shoot?”
Bang!
Darnell pulled the trigger and a bullet shot out, piercing through Pierce’s leg. He screamed in pain and fell to the ground, blood pouring out.
“Ah-”
The crowd screamed but quickly quieted down. Everyone cowered on the ground, including the six burly men, who dared not make any more noise.
Darnell held Abbigail close, pressing the gun against Pierce’s head. The heat from the gun left a red mark instantly.
“Will you still say that I can’t shoot? You seduced my wife! What do you think I should do with you?”
Pierce’s screams were instantly silenced as he broke out in a cold sweat. His men felt frustrated but dared not stand up or charge forward. With Darnell openly wielding a gun, they feared he might shoot them too.
Darnell poked Pierce’s head with his gun twice, his voice seething with anger as he said, “You son of a bitch! You dare to seduce my wife and still have the audacity to act tough. I’ll kill you!”
“I’ve worked hard to make a living for my family, and you scoundrel take advantage of her loneliness and vulnerability.”
“Are you even human?”
His face contorted with rage and despair, drawing sympathy from the crowd while also instilling fear in Pierce and his crew.
With his volatile temper, they feared he might lose control and pull the trigger.
“This is the first time I’ve met your wife. I swear I haven’t touched her!”
Pierce forced a smile. “Don’t misunderstand me. I’m a good guy. The real scoundrel is probably laughing at you right now.”
Darnell straightened his neck. “No misunderstanding here. I saw it with my own eyes. You took advantage of my woman. You wanted to take her to get a hotel room.”
Pierce wore an expression of grief. “It was just a joke. It really was just a joke.”
Darnell still looked aggrieved. “I want an apology from you and compensation. Give me one million dollars, or else I won’t let you off.”
At that moment, Abbigail, nestled in Darnell’s arms, coughed softly, her hazy eyes glancing up at him with endless charm.
Pierce’s cheeks burned with embarrassment. “Sir, I really didn’t take advantage of your wife…”
“Bam!”
Darnell mimicked a gunshot sound, causing Pierce to shudder, nearly collapsing to the floor, while the others quickly ducked down.
When he realized it was just Darnell playing a prank, Pierce felt a mix of anger and relief.
Darnell glared at Pierce, snorting, “What about compensation for my emotional distress?”
Suppressing the pain in his legs, Pierce wanted to explain but felt it would be futile. Instead, he could only respond with a heavy sigh, “Fine, I’ll give you a million. Let’s just call it even, alright?”
Darnell raised his gun slightly. “Hurry up and get the money.”
“We only have one hundred thirty thousand on us.”
Pierce quickly pulled out his wallet, took out all the cash, and then called over his six companions to contribute, gathering a total of one hundred thirty thousand for Darnell.
“Just give us an address, and tomorrow, by noon at the latest, I’ll personally bring the money to your house.”
Meanwhile, a glint of malice flashed in his eyes. Once he had Darnell’s address, he planned to take care of him and then have his way with Abbigail.
“Seeing you all realize your mistakes, I’ll give you a chance,” Darnell said, stuffing the money into a bag. He then took their phones away, holding his gun firmly. “Remember, deliver the money to my house early tomorrow.”
“I live at…”
Pierce nodded repeatedly, unusually eager to please. “Understood, understood. I’ll deliver it myself.”
His subordinates exchanged glances, sensing that Pierce had murder on his mind, so they decided to hold back for now.
Darnell waved the gun. “Get lost!”
Pierce immediately allowed his men to help him leave. As they walked away, he pondered whether to retrieve his pistol, but remembering Darnell had just fired a shot, he realized the police would soon intervene.
Rather than risk his own safety, he decided it was better to let that bastard take the fall, so he left without a word.
The bar quickly returned to calm, knowing the police would soon arrive due to the gunfire, and the patrons dared not linger.
Darnell, aware that trouble was brewing, removed his glasses and called out to Abbigail, who was leaning back in her chair.
“Let me take you home.”
Abbigail turned her head instinctively at the sound of his voice, her gaze slightly dazed. The flickering lights danced across her face, enhancing her alluring beauty.
She stared at Darnell in confusion before suddenly exclaiming, “Wow, handsome, you really came!”
It was then that she recognized him.
The stunning beauty seemed unfazed by the gazes of other patrons and waitstaff, her eyes suddenly sparkling with excitement.
She dropped the glass in her hand and rushed forward, wrapping him in a warm embrace. Darnell, taken by surprise, nearly lost his balance and fell into a chair.
“I didn’t think you’d actually show up!”
Darnell steadied himself, playfully smacking her on the waist, the sound echoing in the air. “You called me. How could I not come?”
He then gripped her chin, his tone a blend of annoyance and concern. “Why are you drinking so much? Wouldn’t it be better to stay at home?”
“If I hadn’t come tonight, you’d probably have been taken advantage of by those jerks.”
Abbigail playfully bit down on Darnell’s finger, leaving a ring of red marks, before leaning in close to his ear, her voice sultry like silk as she whispered,
“Do you want me?”