As Gabriel drove away from the Opulent Lounge, his phone buzzed with Mr. Mac's incoming call."Gabriel, where are you?" Mr. Mac's voice sounded urgent yet apologetic.Gabriel hesitated for a moment before replying, "I'm not far. Just heading home."Mr. Mac didn't waste a second. "Wait there. I'm coming to you."True to his word, Mr. Mac arrived swiftly in his luxury sedan. Stepping out, he approached Gabriel with a solemn expression."I'm truly sorry for what Chris did," Mr. Mac began, his tone sincere. "That was uncalled for. Please, come back with me to the club. Let's make things right."Gabriel looked at Mr. Mac, weighing his words carefully. "I don't want to go where I'm not respected."Mr. Mac nodded, understanding. "I know you're upset, and you have every right to be. But I assure you, things will be different. Master Chen himself wants you to be there. It would mean a lot."Gabriel remained silent for a moment, contemplating his decision. Finally, he sighed softly. "Fine. But
The butler, simmering with jealousy, couldn't bear the special treatment Gabriel was receiving. Deciding to take matters into his own hands, he cleared his throat loudly, drawing the attention of the gathered guests."Ladies and gentlemen," the butler began, his voice dripping with disdain, "I must question the integrity of this young man, Gabriel. Do we really know who he is? From what I can tell, he's just an opportunist who’s managed to worm his way into the good graces of the Springfield family."Gasps echoed through the crowd, and all eyes turned towards Gabriel. He stood there, unflinching, his eyes locked on the butler."Look at him!" the butler continued, pointing a finger at Gabriel. "He’s probably using deceitful means to get close to our respected Master Chen and Mr. Mac. We can't let such a charlatan roam freely among us!"The guests murmured among themselves, uncertainty rippling through the room. Jackson, seeing an opportunity, nodded in agreement, adding fuel to the but
Some planned displays of martial arts were performed in the club, showcasing Master Chen's disciples in impressive bouts. The crowd watched with bated breath as they executed complex moves with precision and grace. After the second round concluded, the doors to the lounge opened, and Master Duon, the patriarch of the Kanguo Family, entered with his grandson, Addison, and a renowned martial arts expert, Sung Do.The celebratory atmosphere clashed subtly with the tension that Mr. Mac felt. Master Duon’s presence was commanding, his aura of authority unmistakable. He made his way to his reserved table, greeting Master Chen warmly. "Chen, it's been too long," he said, a rare smile on his stern face."Indeed, Duon," Master Chen replied, clasping his friend's hand firmly. "These gatherings remind me of the old days."They shared a few moments reminiscing, the weight of years and shared experiences evident in their exchanges. Master Chen then turned to the Springfield family members gathe
Master Chen ordered the best drinks to be served to Master Duon and his people, and then he asked, "So, Duon, what are you proposing?"Understanding the question, Master Duon smiled. "Ah, Chen, your household is indeed blessed with remarkable women. One could say the finest in the city." His eyes glanced toward Anna, causing Mr. Mac to narrow his eyes, sensing where this might be heading.Master Chen nodded, a proud smile on his face. "Yes, Anna and Zendaya are both exceptional. They carry the Springfield name with pride and dignity."Master Duon continued, "It’s rare to see such grace and strength combined. Anna, in particular, has a certain charm and intellect that is quite rare."Mr. Mac’s unease grew as he listened to Master Duon's veiled compliments. He exchanged a worried glance with Anna, who shifted uncomfortably in her seat.Finally, Master Duon leaned forward, his eyes gleaming with a proposition."Here’s what I suggest, Chen. If I win the duel, I propose that Anna marries
The room fell silent, everyone waiting for Master Chen’s response. He knew that whatever he decided, it would shape the future of both families and the respect they held in the martial arts community.Seeing her grandfather in a tough position, Anna felt uneasy. Gabriel, watching her keenly, sensed what she was about to do.Master Chen tried to maintain his composure. "I'm not afraid of losing, Duon."Master Duon smirked, raising the stakes. "Then what’s holding you back, Chen? Are you worried your family’s honor isn’t strong enough?"Anna stepped forward with a big smile. "My father and grandfather have always upheld our family's honor.” She took a brief pause and glanced at her grandfather. “So, I accept the challenge on behalf of my grandfather."She exchanged silent words with her father and Master Chen, who then nodded. "The duel will go on," Master Chen declared.As Anna returned to Gabriel's side, she masked her anxiety with a smile. Zendaya approached, teasing her, "Feignin
Master Duon, eager to know if his offer was accepted, demanded, “So, what do you say about my offer to you, Chen, in reward if you win this duel?"Master Chen, knowing Gabriel's true identity, smiled smartly. "Duon, I appreciate your generous offer, but I must decline. I don't wish to accept anything that would undermine Greenovation Gardens. They are an important asset to our community and their owner is a man I hold in high regard."Master Duon’s eyes widened in surprise. "Why would you refuse such an advantageous deal, Chen? Surely there’s more to this."Master Chen gave a measured response. "Greenovation Gardens has been instrumental in many local developments. Undermining them for short-term gain would be counterproductive in the long run."Master Duon, sensing there was more to the story but unable to pinpoint what, accepted the explanation reluctantly. "Very well, Chen. I understand your point even though I don't buy it."Mr. Mac, seizing the opportunity to counter Master Duo
Gabriel looked at her, admiring her loyalty and faith in her family. "I hope you’re right. But just in case, it might be wise to have a backup plan."Anna softened slightly, appreciating his concern despite her confidence. "Thank you for your advice, Gabriel. I will keep that in mind. But know this, the Springfield family doesn’t back down from a challenge."Staring at her with a half smile, Gabriel could only hope that Anna's faith would be enough to carry them through the impending duel. She caught him staring and nudged him, causing him to chuckle. He could see how tense she was, even though she was trying her hardest not to reveal it."What's so funny?" she asked, narrowing her eyes playfully."Nothing," he replied, still smiling. "Just thinking about how confident you are.""Well, we have to be, don’t we?" she said, her voice firm but betraying a hint of anxiety.He teased, "You know, if you really don’t want to marry Addison, you could always ask me for help."She looked confuse
Anna sighed, her confidence wavering. "I know. But I still have to trust in my grandfather's disciples."Gabriel nodded. "Just remember, I'm here if you need me."Anna gave him a weak smile. "Thanks, Gabriel. We will see how this plays out."As the crowd buzzed with excitement and anticipation for the next round, the gravity of the situation settled heavily on the Springfield family. They knew the next moves would be critical, and they needed to step up their game to stand a chance against Sung Do's formidable prowess.Master Chen then called out his second disciple, Michael. A proud smile showed on Anna's face, which Gabriel noticed. She leaned in to give him a brief introduction."Michael's been training with my grandfather since he was a child. He's incredibly fast and his techniques are almost flawless," Anna said, her voice filled with confidence.When Michael stepped up, Addison couldn't resist teasing his stature. "Is this the best you've got, Master Chen? He doesn't look like