Unrivaled In The World: Rise of Kaiden Blackwood

Chapter 2.

Reginald smirked, flicking the wad of cash in Kai’s face. “Speechless, huh?” His voice dripped with mockery.

“Can’t say I blame you. Bet you’ve never even seen this much money before.”

“Go on, take it. I don’t want you coming back here begging in the future.”

Astrid giggled beside him. “Honestly, Reginald, you’re too kind. Giving him money? He should be grateful you even looked in his direction.”

Kai let out a bitter laugh.

“Grateful? For what, going around with my fianceé?”

“Ex-fianceé, kid.” he corrected.

He snatched the cash from Reginald’s fingers, his chest burning with rage, humiliation, disgust.

Without hesitation, he ripped some of it to shreds.

Tiny pieces fluttered in the air, falling at their feet.

Astrid gasped, eyes widening in disbelief. “You...”

Kai cut her off with a sharp, mocking chuckle.

“Wow, Reginald,” he sneered. “Throwing a few bills at me? That’s touching. Really. Almost looks like guilt.”

He cocked his head, his smirk widening. “Tell me, if you’re so devoted to her, why the hell are you still married? Or are you planning another divorce soon?”

Astrid’s face darkened.

Kai’s smirk grew.

“What’s wrong, Astrid?” He glanced at Reginald. “You act like you’ve got it all…money, status, her. But let’s be real.”

He stepped closer.

“If you really wanted her, you’d have put a ring on her finger by now. Instead, you’ve got her playing the side chick while you go home to your real wife.”

Astrid’s lips trembled.

Reginald’s smirk vanished.

Kai’s smirk widened.

“Shut up, Kai.”

Kai scoffed. “Oh, I struck a nerve?” His voice was sharp, biting.

“What’s the matter, Astrid? Thought you were winning? Or did it finally hit you that you’re just his little side distraction?”

Her face flushed deep red. Anger. Embarrassment. Humiliation.

Reginald’s frown. His jaw ticked.

Kai laughed coldly. “Maybe that’s why you’re throwing money at me…to buy my silence. Can’t have your rich wife finding out about your little investment, can you?”

Astrid snapped. “You piece of…”

CRACK.

Reginald’s boot slammed into Kai’s chest.

The force sent him crashing to the ground.

A sharp jolt of pain shot through his ribs as his back hit the pavement. His breath came out in ragged gasps.

Reginald loomed over him, furious.

“You think you can threaten me?” His voice was a low growl. “You think mentioning my wife will change anything?”

Kai clenched his teeth, pushing himself up, but Reginald shoved him down again with his foot.

“You’re nothing, Blackwood,” he spat. “A pathetic, delusional nobody who actually thought he could compete with me.”

Astrid scoffed, stepping beside Reginald. “Face it, Kai. You were never in his league. Never in mine.”

Reginald let out a slow breath, his rage settling into cold amusement. “You know what? I’ve changed my mind.”

He pulled Astrid against him, running a hand down her back, his other hand resting possessively on her hip.

“I’ll marry her. Right now.”

He sneered. “Just so you know how it feels to really lose. A man like you shouldn't even breathe where I stand.”

Astrid’s eyes widened before she let out a delighted gasp.

A proposal.

Finally, a marriage proposal from her wealthy lover.

Gone was the smug indifference. Gone was the pretense of hesitation.

She lit up like a child on Christmas morning.

“Finally!” she squealed, her voice thick with triumph.

Kai barely had time to react before she threw herself into Reginald’s arms.

She clung to him, her excitement radiating off her.

“You mean it, don’t you?” Her voice was breathless with anticipation. “You’re actually going to make me your wife?”

Reginald grinned, tilting her chin. “What kind of man would I be if I left the woman carrying my child unclaimed?”

Astrid laughed in pure delight.

“Oh, Reginald, you have no idea how long I’ve waited for this.”

She cast a glance down at Kai, her lip curling in disgust.

“You hear that, Kai? I’m going to be Mrs. Thompson. Your pitiful little life was just a stepping stone.”

“Fuck you two!” he huffed with clenched fists, his body trembling but the moment he tried to move, Reginald pinned him down with his weight.

Kai’s body ached. His ribs throbbed from Reginald’s weight pinning him down.

He gritted his teeth, struggling against the pressure. His fingers dug into the pavement, desperate to push himself up, but Reginald only pressed down harder, sneering.

"You just don't know when to quit, do you?" Reginald chuckled darkly. "Pathetic. Not only are you broke, but you're weak. How the hell did you think you could ever protect a woman?"

Astrid laughed from above him. "Oh, stop squirming, Kai. It’s embarrassing."

Reginald shifted his weight, his knee grinding into Kai’s ribs. A sharp pain shot through him.

"You had your fun," Reginald sneered. "Thinking you could play house, dreaming of a life you were never meant to have. But now? Now, I make the rules and I'm gonna beat you so bad you'll learn to respect me when you see me."

Kai’s breath came in ragged gasps. His vision blurred.

No.

This man can not overwhelm him.

Not like this.

A deep, primal rage bubbled in his chest.

He refused to be humiliated again.

With every ounce of strength he had left, Kai forced his arm free and struck.

A full-force punch, raw and desperate.

CRACK!

Reginald's body jolted. His head snapped back, and he flew off Kai, hitting the ground with a thud.

The entire yard went silent.

Kai staggered to his feet, his body trembling. His hands clenched at his sides as he stared down at Reginald, who groaned in pain.

For the first time, fear flickered across Reginald's face.

Kai exhaled sharply.

"Not so tough now, are you?"

Reginald glared up at him. "You son of a.."

Before he could finish, Kai was already on him.

His fingers wrapped around Reginald’s throat, lifting him off the ground like he weighed nothing.

Reginald’s eyes widened in terror. He clawed at Kai’s grip, but it was useless.

Kai’s voice was cold, unrecognizable. "You wanted to break me?" He tightened his grip. "Let's see who breaks first."

Reginald's face turned red. His legs kicked wildly.

"Kai, STOP!" Astrid’s shrill scream cut through the air.

She moved fast. Too fast.

Before Kai could react…

BAM!

Something slammed into his skull.