Chapter 2
1311 Words
Today, Mason Fox, the venerable figure of Botoza, was celebrating his seventieth birthday at the opulent Skyhigh Hotel. All the big shots and power players throughout the city showed up to wish him well on his birthday.
Mason beamed with pride. Ever since his daughter Alana ousted Simon and took charge of the Gibson family three years ago, the Fox clan had swiftly risen to the echelons of Botoza's elite.
Who in Botoza dared to speak ill of the Foxes now?
The once-mighty Simon had faded into obscurity long ago.
Zach and Rohan arrived at the hotel entrance. Zach gazed up at the extravagant building, momentarily distracted.
A security guard approached them, eyeing Zach standing there. "Invitation, please. If you don't have one, step aside and don't disturb the guests. It's Mr. Fox's seventieth birthday today, and Ms. Fox won't tolerate any disturbances."
Before Rohan could intervene, an abrasive voice cut in from behind.
"Out of my way! Where did this stray mutt come from? How dare you block my path?"
Zach and Rohan turned to see an impatient, young man in a white suit.
The guard's demeanor changed instantly at the sight of the young man. "Mr. Woods, please proceed!"
The Woods family wielded considerable influence in Botoza even during Simon's reign. Their ventures spanned the region, commanding vast wealth. Once, an outsider threatened the Woods, only to beg for mercy within days.
The Woods family later emerged as the dominant enforcer under the Fox family, possessing even greater power than before. Throughout the city, they were widely recognized as a formidable force.
Miller glared at Zach, then turned to the guard. "Does this guy have an invitation?"
"He's been lingering here for a while, so I doubt it," the guard replied candidly.
Miller grasped the situation. On such occasions, opportunists often loitered, hoping to hitch onto influential figures.
Concluding Zach was one such opportunist, he sized up Rohan, thinking he'd make a decent bodyguard.
"I see your game, Brat. From now on, you and your lackey will serve me!" Miller chuckled, reaching to pat Zach on the shoulder.
Rohan swiftly intercepted Miller's hand. "Back off."
"What?!" Miller seethed.
The dignity of the Woods family's scion was thwarted by a mere underling!
With a grimace, Miller withdrew his hand. "In honor of Mr. Fox, I'll offer you both a chance. Lick my shoes, and maybe I'll forgive you."
Rohan met Miller's eyes with an icy stare before whispering to Zach, "Marshal Gibson, the Woods family is a blight on Botoza. Rumor has it they were involved in your brother Simon's demise."
"What rumor?"
Rohan steadied himself. "Eli Woods, head of the Woods family, supposedly beheaded Simon to curry favor with the Foxes."
Crash!
The tiles beneath Zach's feet shattered as his fury surged, chilling all who witnessed it.
Clenching his fists, Zach struggled to reconcile this with the valiant Simon he knew.
Miller frowned. "Didn't you hear me?" He gazed at Zach sternly. "Kid, do you want to be my lackey? Now's your chance. Don't squander it."
"Marshal Gibson?" Rohan's hushed voice broke through.
Zach nodded. "He's insignificant. The Foxes are the root. There's no need for bloodshed."
Rohan moved swiftly. His foot struck Miller's knee with a crunch. Miller howled in pain. Before he could collapse, his other knee buckled, both joints shattering almost at the same time. With a resounding crash, he hit the floor before Zach.
Onlookers outside the hotel gasped in disbelief. None had foreseen the young Woods scion being beaten in such a fashion.
Though Miller's knees didn't bleed, shock reverberated through the security guard.
He thought, 'Just who are these two? To have the audacity to actually shatter Mr. Woods' knees at Mr. Fox's birthday bash...'
"Do you know who I am?!" Miller bellowed. "How dare you hit me! I'll behead your entire family..."
Smack!
Rohan's blow sent Miller's head spinning. Miller groaned, blood and broken teeth filling his mouth.
Then Rohan gripped his jaw, forcing him to ingest the bloodied remnants!
"Marshal Gibson said no need for bloodshed." Rohan's demeanor remained ice cold. He released his grip only after Miller swallowed them all.
Miller flushed and gasped for air, but he dared not spill a drop of blood.
"My God! Is that Miller, Woods' scion? Am I seeing this right?"
"This is unreal! Am I dreaming? Was Woods' scion slapped like that? Who are these people?"
Though baffled, the crowd clearly recognized Zach's dominance.
Shocked by the ferocity, Miller whimpered, "I'm sorry. I'll lick your shoes right away..."
With that, Miller bent down, getting ready to lick Zach's shoe.
Zach frowned slightly. Just as Miller's mouth was about to touch Zach's shoe, Rohan kicked his face away with a swift motion. "You're not even worthy of that, scumbag."
Miller yelled, "The Woods family will never forgive you!" Then he collapsed, his eyes rolling back as he passed out.
Zach sneered, "Oh, the Woods family? I'll pay them a visit someday. I wonder how many heads they'll need to settle their debts!"
Turning to the security guard, Zach asked, "Can we go in now?"
"Please, esteemed guests, come in!" The trembling security guard stepped aside without another word, too afraid to ask for the invitation.
These two mysterious figures, who came out of nowhere, had just disabled the son of the Woods family. Even with all the courage in the world, the guard wouldn't dare to block their way!
Zach strode inside confidently.
Rohan followed closely but kept a respectful distance, not daring to walk beside him.
Zach took off his military coat and handed it to Rohan, ordering calmly, "Rohan, don't get involved in the grudge between the Gibson and Fox families!"
"Yes, sir!" Rohan immediately wanted to salute him to show respect.
"How many times do I have to tell you there's no need for formalities!" Zach frowned, stopping him.
Rohan smiled sincerely. "I have long sworn my life to you, Marshal Gibson! Such gestures are natural."
Zach didn't reply and headed straight inside.
Rohan followed silently, no longer displaying the dominance he showed while dealing with the Woods family's eldest son.
Zach's entry attracted countless gazes.
Most of the people present were familiar faces, but no one recognized him.
He hadn't been in Botoza for a decade. If he hadn't heard of Simon's death, he might have returned only after settling all his affairs.
People couldn't help but take notice of this extraordinary man.
"Who is he? He has quite a presence. When did Botoza gain such a figure?"
"No idea! He must be a guest invited by the Fox family, but he's indeed something."
Zach's arrival caused a stir.
A woman in a black dress approached him, holding a glass of wine. "Sir, may I know your name? I pride myself on knowing everyone in Botoza, but you're new to me," she smiled, leaning towards Zach.
Zach glanced at her, his aura suddenly intensifying. This woman was the one who had humiliated his parents in the video!
"Get lost!" Zach controlled his anger. If he didn't know Alana was behind it all, he would have made her pay dearly for that!
He was here today to surprise the Fox family. A mere henchwoman from the video wasn't worth his time.
His words silenced everyone. 'Did he just tell that woman to get lost?'
The woman's smile froze, and she said coldly, "You bastard, do you know who I am? I am Rosa Byrne, Alana's cousin!"
She was Alana's cousin. Countless self-proclaimed elite men in Botoza would scramble to please her. Some even willing to bend down and lick her toes to make her smile.
Yet her bold approach this time had backfired, leaving her feeling disgusted.
"I don't care who you are or where you come from. You have three seconds to apologize to Ms. Byrne!" a furious voice interrupted.
- Writer
