When Grant Rocco’s slap landed squarely on Ryder Steele’s face, Ryder was stunned for a moment, but only for a moment. Within seconds, he regained his sycophantic demeanor.
“Young Master Rocco, I’m not here to cause trouble,” Ryder explained hastily, not even daring to ask why he had been slapped. “I just encountered a very unusual situation.”
He didn’t have the guts to question the blow. This was Grant Rocco, the young master of the Rocco family-a family that stood at the pinnacle of power. In comparison, the Atkinson family, a mere second-rate household, was nothing. No matter how brazen Ryder could be, he wouldn’t dare act arrogant in front of Young Master Rocco. That would be nothing short of digging his own grave.
Hearing Ryder’s explanation, Grant Rocco raised an eyebrow, his tone dripping with sarcasm. “Oh? What kind of situation?”
“Young Master Rocco, please take a look at these wounds!” Ryder pointed to the chopsticks embedded in his hand and then to the similar injury on his thigh. “These were done by that outsider! He even insulted us Western Frontier folks, calling us all trash. This guy is outrageously arrogant. You wouldn’t believe how far he’s gone!”
“That’s right, Young Master Rocco, we can all vouch for it!” chimed in the group behind Ryder, their voices brimming with indignation.
“Smack!” Before they could finish, Grant Rocco delivered another fierce slap to Ryder Steele’s face.
For someone like Grant Rocco, Ryder Steele was nothing but a punching bag-there to be hit whenever he pleased.
Dumbfounded after the second slap, Ryder clutched his face, his expression blank. “Young Master Rocco, may I ask why-?”
Grant Rocco snorted disdainfully. “You really don’t understand your situation, do you? You come to me with your people as witnesses? Are you trying to make me look like a fool?”
Ryder hesitated for a moment, his eyes darting nervously, unsure of what to say.
Grant Rocco turned away from him and looked toward Wood Faulkner. Flashing a sly grin, he said, “Miss, could you tell me what happened just now? I feel like a beautiful woman like you wouldn’t lie.”
At that moment, Ryder Steele suddenly understood. So that’s how it was-Young Master Rocco had taken a liking to this woman. A rare beauty like her, who wouldn’t want her? Of course, Young Master Rocco was no exception.
This wasn’t surprising. Grant Rocco was infamous in the Western Frontier as a notorious playboy. If he fancied a woman, he would simply take her. If she happened to belong to someone else, he’d still claim her without hesitation.
What made him even more intimidating was his mother-a striking and commanding woman who had raised him alone after his father’s early death. She held immense power within the Rocco family, overseeing all the women of the household.
However, Wood Faulkner was unimpressed by Grant Rocco’s flippant attitude. She remained silent, her expression cold, refusing to acknowledge him. This blatant indifference made Grant feel humiliated, though he could only muster a forced smile.
Seeing this, Ryder Steele quickly leaned close to Grant Rocco and whispered in his ear, “Young Master Rocco, as long as you deal with that guy, this woman will be yours. I had my eye on her earlier too, and I figured once I took care of that man, I could hand her over to you. Don’t worry, Young Master Rocco. After we handle him, I have a hundred ways to make her submit to you.”
“Smack!” Grant Rocco didn’t even hesitate, raising his hand and slapping Ryder Steele hard across the face once more.
This slap left Ryder’s ears ringing, leaving him completely dazed.
“What do you take me for? Do you think I’m like you-some despicable lowlife? Are you insulting me?” Grant Rocco roared.
“Smack!” Another slap landed. “You dare insult my integrity? I, Grant Rocco, am a gentleman. Do you think I’d stoop to such petty schemes? You’ve seriously pissed me off!”
Ryder Steele, battered and confused, stood frozen. He wasn’t sure if he should even attempt to speak again.
“Enough wasting time. Let’s settle this,” Kayden said, stepping forward with a calm yet commanding tone.
Grant Rocco broke into a grin and said, “Master, give me a moment. I’ll handle it right away.”
Turning back to Ryder Steele, Grant barked, “Open your eyes and look closely. This man here is my master! From now on, if you ever see him in the Western Frontier, you’d better show him respect!”
Master? Grant Rocco’s master?
Ryder Steele was utterly dumbfounded. The man who had humiliated him was actually Young Master Rocco’s master? He felt like the ground was crumbling beneath him. If this man was truly Grant Rocco’s master, then hadn’t Ryder just dug his own grave?
“Young Master Rocco, you must be joking, right?” Ryder asked, his voice trembling. As he thought about the million-dollar loss and the injuries to his hand and leg, regret and despair consumed him.
Grant Rocco kicked Ryder hard, yelling, “Do I look like I’m joking? Do you think you’re worthy of my jokes?”
“Get down on your knees and apologize, or I’ll make sure you don’t leave here alive!”
Ryder swallowed hard, his eyes wide with fear as he stared at Grant Rocco.
Meanwhile, Grant turned to Kayden with a grin. “Master, how did I do? Not bad, right? Don’t worry-from now on, in the Western Frontier, just mention my name and you can walk around like you own the place.”
Kayden’s heart sank. When had he ever become this scoundrel’s master?
Without hesitation, Kayden replied bluntly, “I’m not your master, and you’re not qualified to be my disciple.”
His words showed no mercy, leaving Grant Rocco utterly embarrassed. Yet, the young master’s tone remained eager, almost pleading.
One of Grant’s companions, a wealthy young man, stepped forward angrily. “Hey, kid, show some respect! This is Young Master Rocco you’re talking to!”
“Smack!” Grant turned and slapped the man hard, sending him sprawling to the ground.
“I’m talking to my master. Who told you to butt in?”
Grant Rocco was dead serious. He genuinely wanted to become Kayden’s disciple-not to learn martial arts, but to master the art of wooing women.
To him, Kayden was a legend. The cold and stunning woman by Kayden’s side followed him like a loyal servant. Even Grant’s proud and aloof mother-who carried herself like a queen-had gone out of her way to approach Kayden.
This man clearly had the ability to charm women of all ages, from innocent eighteen-year-olds to mature fifty-year-old socialites. Grant was convinced Kayden must possess some extraordinary methods, and he was determined to learn them.