CHAPTER 4

Max's head was spinning from the drinks when he felt someone grab his arm. A beautiful woman was holding onto him, shaking.

"Who are—" Max started to ask.

BAM! The bar door flew open. Five big men rushed in, and their eyes locked onto the woman.

"Let her go," the biggest man growled, walking toward them. He had mean eyes and a nasty smile.

Max's brain felt fuzzy from the alcohol, but he could tell something was very wrong. The woman grabbed his shirt tighter.

"Please help me," she whispered. "These men... they want to hurt me. My enemies sent them."

"Hand her over," the big man said again.

Max looked at the scared woman. Even drunk, he couldn't just give her to these thugs. "No," he said.

"Wrong answer." The big man reached for the woman.

Max pushed his hand away. "I said no!"

The leader took a step forward, his tone sharp. “I said, let her go. Don’t make me repeat myself.”

“Please, don’t let them take me. They’ll do horrible things to me.” The woman pleaded him.

Max hesitated, his protective instinct kicking in. He wasn’t sure what was going on, but one thing was clear — these men meant trouble. As he loosened his grip slightly, the leader sneered, waving a hand to his men.

"Take her!" the leader snarled. "And teach this drunk idiot a lesson while you're at it."

Two of the men lunged forward, grabbing the woman by the arms. She shrieked, and Max, still sluggish but determined, pulled her back toward him.

“Let go of her,” Max growled, his voice shaky but firm.

The leader laughed, his voice oozing mockery. “Oh, look at the hero! You think you’re going to save her? Fool, you’re drunk out of your mind. Step aside before we break you in half.”

“Yeah,” another thug chimed in with a grin. “One punch and this guy will be kissing the floor. Ain’t that right, hero?”

Max steadied himself, feeling the rush of adrenaline overtake his drunken state. “I’m not letting you take her,” he muttered.

The leader rolled his eyes, taking a step closer. “You really want to play the tough guy, huh? Look at you—can barely stand straight. You’re gonna regret this.”

Without warning, the leader swung a punch at Max. Luckily, Max was quick. He ducked just in time, the fist grazing his cheek. The bar erupted in chaos, chairs toppling and glasses smashing to the ground.

“Get him!” the leader shouted, his voice venomous.

Before Max could regain his balance, another man grabbed him from behind, pinning his arms. “What’s the matter, drunk? Can’t fight without falling over?” the thug mocked, tightening his grip.

Max struggled, gritting his teeth. “Let go of me,” he growled, but his words only seemed to amuse them.

One of the men shoved Max roughly. “This is what happens when you stick your nose where it doesn’t belong.”

Another thug leaned in close, his breath hot on Max's ear. “You should’ve just walked away, buddy. Too bad for you.”

Max’s head swam, his body heavy, but he wasn’t going to give up. He swung his elbow back, connecting with the stomach of the guy holding him. The thug grunted and loosened his grip just enough for Max to free himself.

“You little—” the leader spat, charging at Max again.

Max barely had time to dodge, stumbling back as the punch missed him by an inch. 

The leader pointed at Max, his lips curling into a cruel smile. “This is your last chance. Let her go, or we’ll make sure you don’t walk out of here in one piece.”

Max’s jaw clenched. “I’m not afraid of you,” 

The leader laughed darkly. “You should be. Boys, break him.”

“Have it your way." The man swung his fist at Max's face.

Max managed to duck, but he was too drunk to keep his balance. Another man grabbed him from behind.

"Hey! Leave him alone!" someone in the crowd yelled.

The bar was chaos now. People were shouting and pushing to see the fight. In the corner, Max's friend Peter was on his phone.

"Police? Yes, there's a fight at Murphy's Bar..." Peter said quickly.

Just when things looked bad for Max, police sirens wailed outside. Blue lights flashed through the windows.

"Everyone freeze!" Police officers rushed in.

Later at the police station, Max sat in a cold chair. His head was clearing up, but he was worried. The police took his name and fingerprints, then left him waiting.

The police stared him with wide eyes, and ran off like he saw a ghost.

Max looked around, expecting someone to come question him soon.” How long we need to wait here?”

 But after the officers took his fingerprints and noted down his name, no one came back.

Peter sat next to him. “Strange, isn’t it? You’d think they’d want your statement by now.”

Max shrugged, still feeling uneasy. “Maybe they’re busy?”

Suddenly, a new man walked in. He wore a plain black suit that probably cost more than Max's car. Everyone in the room seemed to back away from him.

Must be the woman's lawyer, Max thought.

The man walked straight to Max. Then, to Max's complete shock, the man bowed deeply.

"Young Master Max," the man said respectfully. "We've been looking for you for a very long time."

Max's mouth fell open. "What... what did you call me?"

"Young Master Max," the man repeated. "There's much we need to discuss about your true identity."

Max just stared. This night had just gotten a whole lot stranger.

"Who are you?" Max finally managed to ask.