Yet Susan trembled with rage, appalled that her mother could debase herself so shamelessly for status and wealth, an utter disappointment. A moment's thought should make it clear that nothing of worth comes without cost. Even gaining entry to a noble house, what then? Was Ashley's plight something to envy?Fred Price's arrogant demeanor clearly revealed his intent to take advantage.At that moment, Jason regarded Fred Price with a mix of anger and amusement, "A mere lackey, yet you carry yourself with such lofty airs. Do you even qualify to claim nobility? You're nothing more than a dog kept by the Turner family!""Let alone you, even Matt Turner wouldn't dare utter such grandiose, narcissistic words in my presence!"He was truly infuriated and amused. For a lackey to behave with such outrageous arrogance, issuing commands so shamelessly - it was pure insolence enabled by association."Well said!" Susan and Grace Diaz cheered approvingly.They could scarcely fathom such shamelessness
A relentless barrage of vicious blows rained down, leaving the witnesses gaping in stunned disbelief, the brutality too horrific to behold. Too cruel! Too merciless! In an instant, he was beaten like a dead dog.Mary Martinez stood petrified, her face ashen as she retreated, screaming in terror lest this madman Jason drag her into the fray as well. Her shrill cries seemed to rouse her from her daze.This Mr. Price did indeed seem rather unsavory. Yet, regardless, he was a member of the Turner family. To strike him was unthinkable! They were doomed, having utterly offended the Turners!Susan and Grace Diaz, however, wore expressions of grim satisfaction, venting their pent-up fury. Such a despicable man deserved far worse. Yet none noticed the strange, suspicious gaze observing it all from the doorway..."Stop, aargh, please stop beating me, spare my life! My legs, aaahh...no more..." "I won't dare anymore, I was wrong, forgive me, I truly...won't dare disobey again." Fred Price w
Outside, Mary Martinez watched James Brown emerge, her face twisted with smug satisfaction. Hmph! You think you can defy me? I have ways to torment you both. Even if no matchmaking occurs, I won't let you be at peace.She clutched a set of keys - duplicates she had secretly made of Jason's room. Locks would avail them nothing."Hmph, dare threaten me? Dream on if you think you can lay a hand on my daughter..."On the other side, Grace Diaz sighed heavily. She had witnessed everything, but it was not her place to interfere in the couple's affairs. Mary Martinez's tactics were truly lacking in virtue.She could not fathom why Mary Martinez insisted on opposing Jason, on suppressing him at every turn.In her eyes, Jason surpassed that Fred Price by countless times, at least in character and demeanor - qualities difficult to find. To have such a son-in-law would be a dream come true."Alas, blind to the blessings before you, so foolish..."The next day, after a night of disturbances, Mary
Her tirade escalated, "Insolent wretch! Shall I dismiss you from these premises at once? What are you gawking at? Hurry and fetch me medicine...ah, the agonizing pain..."Grace Diaz remained silent, unwilling to provoke further wrath, obediently retrieving the medicine, acutely aware of this woman's mercurial temperament. Her sole concern was to avoid causing Jason any distress.Unbeknownst to her, the debt she had labored to repay had been owed to Jason himself, who harbored no intention of demanding recompense.Witnessing this scene, James Brown could only shake his head in resignation, recognizing the utter unreasonableness of her outburst. When had Grace Diaz mocked her? He had observed the entire exchange, her sincere offer to fetch medicine met with unwarranted derision.This woman's volatility seemed to escalate with each passing day, yet he dared not intervene, fearing the consequences of provoking her ire.As Grace Diaz returned with the medicine and ice, she realized her ove
Her depravity, however, remained unaltered. As night fell, the restless Mary prowled about, a veritable beacon in the darkness. Unsurprisingly, her antics culminated in swollen cheeks and feverish affliction the next day, her inflamed visage impervious even to ice packs.Jason shook his head, unwilling to dwell on her plight. For the day had arrived - the long-awaited clash between him and Albert, the illustrious Northern Faction Martial Arts Master, a battle that had set the martial arts world abuzz.Serene amidst the swirling maelstrom, Jason's sole intent was to validate his prowess. Albert would prove a formidable adversary, and the impending contest beckoned.The clash had sent shockwaves through Emerald City, aristocratic families and financial titans converging in droves. An unforeseen boon, the city's GDP soaring higher than any celebrity could propel it.Yet opinions on the outcome were near-unanimous: the Martial Saint's impetuous disciple, overestimating his abilities, had
On Emerald Mountain's slopes, impatient spectators traded barbs over Jason's tardiness, deriding this so-called Martial Saint disciple's lack of courage. Among them, Benjamin Howard and Old Stewart fretted, the former's idle boast having snowballed into this spectacle.High above, Albert stood vigil, his eyes flashing open as if detecting a disturbance. A solitary figure ascended the dais, their arrival erupting in a fervent roar that shook the mountain. "Jason Gray?" Susan and Emily gasped in disbelieving unison, scarcely recognizing the imposing warrior before them as their unassuming friend. This day's battle would redefine their understanding of the man they thought they knew.The two women gasped in disbelief, eyes widening incredulously. Was this some waking dream? How could it be Jason? Could it be that the fabled disciple of the Martial Saint was indeed Jason himself?"This...this cannot be possible?" They racked their brains, unable to fathom the enigma before them.Especial
"So swift!" Jason's pupils contracted as two hurtling fists rapidly expanded in his vision. The fist techniques were hauntingly familiar - the very Arm Fist Boxing style Jeremy had mastered to such deadly effect.The same art that had set the dominoes toppling toward this very fateful clash, when Jason had been forced to extinguish that malignant life.Ah, so that explained Albert's zeal to represent the Arm Fist lineage in avenging its scion. For one of his Three Supreme Techniques was itself the Arm Fist Boxing style. Having assimilated their ultimate skills, he doubtless considered himself a member of that sect, honor-bound to retaliate.Yet Albert's mastery of Arm Fist Boxing eclipsed Jeremy's by a hundredfold in speed and ferocity. He truly lived up to his genius renown."Boom! Boom!" "Swish...swish...swish..."The audience cried out as the two combatants instantly erupted into a whirlwind of blurring strikes, an electrifying conflagration of close-quarters carnage. So this was
Another jeered, "If he somehow wins, I'll kneel and call him grandfather myself. Mark my words, he's spent - one more blow and it's over..."But the modest man only shook his head with a soft chuckle. "One cannot judge solely by appearances. Though he seems defenseless, he is in truth marshaling his strength, awaiting the opportune moment to launch a decisive counterattack."He nodded sagely. "Watch - that moment draws near.""Yeah right, pull the other one!" the others scoffed in mordant chorus.The bizarre exchange carried to many others, even reaching old Stewart's party - all of whom frowned and shook their heads in baffled dismissal. Such an outcome was patently impossible.To their discerning eyes, Jason's loss seemed a foregone conclusion - the blatant reality any clear-sighted observer could perceive. He had absorbed such a brutal battering, they should have moved heaven and earth to prevent him entering this hopeless duel.Matt Turner and Henry Murphy watched with feverish in