Howard swept back into the banquet hall with a self-assured stride, Sophia, Megan, and Marco tagging along behind him like a trio of dutiful followers.By this point, most seats were taken, save for the last few at Alex’s table, shoved right into the dingy corner of the room.Left with no other option, they joined Alex once more, looking like they’d just been sentenced to do time.Determined to pretend he didn’t exist, they sank into their chairs.Megan leaned over, her excitement barely contained.“Oh my God, Marco, you totally pulled it off! That was incredible!”Sophia’s expression softened in gratitude as she looked at Marco.“Yes. We owe it all to Mr. Ashford. If it weren’t for his help, we wouldn’t be here.”Megan threw Alex a cutting glare, resentment flaring in her eyes.She still hadn’t forgotten how he’d supposedly ruined their day.“Exactly! Mr. Ashford is so damn talented he solved our issue with a single phone call! Unlike some people.”Marco flashed a modest grin, though

Zeroing in on Sophia, Hank took a swaggering step forward, booze practically wafting off his breath. His fingers reached for her chin—Crack! Sophia’s palm struck with a force that echoed around the room like a rifle shot. An angry crimson print blazed across his cheek.His bravado vanished faster than a tumbleweed in a windstorm.“You… you dare slap me?” Hank rasped, touching his throbbing cheek.Sophia’s voice came out cold and calm. “Not only did I slap you, I’m calling the police. You’re nothing but a lecherous creep.”“Bitch!” Hank spat, his features contorting with fury as he raised his hand to strike back.Before he could land a blow, Marco stepped up and gave him a hard shove.“You lowlife piece of trash,” Marco hissed. “You really think you can pull this crap here? Looking to get your skull cracked open?”Hank stumbled. “You better keep out of this, or you’ll regret it!”Marco just gave a humorless chuckle. “That a threat? Go on, show me what you’ve got.”Confident as ever, h

“No, Mama has seen all kinds of ugly, and she knows—the Lord never created an ugly creature,” the big guy said.“Really?” one of the thugs drawled, cocking an eyebrow and scratching his greasy hair. “If that ain’t ugly, then I reckon I’ve never seen ugly a day in my life.”“Ah, ma said,” the big guy went on, his voice thick with smugness, “it’s because she’s got an ugly heart. When your heart’s rotten, it drags your face, your personality, and your whole body down to hell with it.”“Sure enough,” a third scumbag piped up, nodding like he’d just discovered the meaning of life.The bystanders looked on in stunned silence, wondering how these half-witted goons managed to cook up such twisted nonsense.“But hey,” the biggest of the bunch announced, stomping his boots on the ground for emphasis, “I know how to fix that problem right quick.”He lumbered up to Megan, crouched just enough to leer into her face with mocking concern, and said in a syrupy tone, “Next time, sugar, don’t go havin’

Marco lunged first, knife raised high, but Alex didn’t even bother to look at him.With a smooth, almost lazy motion, Alex’s hand snapped out and connected with Marco’s face.A sickening crunch echoed through the room as Marco’s nose broke, sending him staggering backward.The knife clattered harmlessly to the floor.“How dare you attack me!” Marco bellowed, blood streaming down his chin.“Who told you to come at me?” Alex sneered.His cold gaze shifted toward Jasper, who still held Megan hostage.“Don’t you take another step, or I’ll slit her throat!” Jasper snarled, voice quivering in a way that betrayed more nerves than resolve.Alex just shook his head, his expression carved from stone.“There is nothing in this world, or above it, except Almighty God, that I will ever bow to. Neither fear nor death has any hold on me.”His voice rumbled with quiet power, the sort of tone that sends chills down a man’s spine.“When gods show up, I’ll smash them to pieces. When demons crawl out, I’

Jason was too shocked to process what was happening. His mouth opened, but no words came out as he turned pale under the weight of the situation.Jasmine’s sharp eyes scanned the room, her voice cutting through the tense air.“Does anyone here still fear the Drakes more than the Kingstons?” she asked, her words slow and deliberate, carrying a chilling undertone.“Speak now. So I could teach you.”The crowd remained silent, stunned into submission.Jasmine tilted her head, her cold smile sending a shiver through everyone. “Did you think the Kingston family has been kind for so long because we lack claws? Think again.”Jason’s smartwatch buzzed loudly, snapping him out of his daze.Fumbling, he turned it on, only to hear a panicked voice on the other end.“Husband! What’s happening to us?”“What? What do you mean?” Jason stammered, confusion clouding his face.“Our bank accounts are frozen! The stocks are plummeting! Lenders are demanding payments, and the police are at our doorstep—som