Chapter 1013

Ralph possessed no kickboxing skills. Heather's surprise attack caught him completely off guard, sending him lurching toward her. "Ouch!" Their faces collided—his nose meeting her mouth—and both yelped in pain. Heather's lips went numb from the impact of Ralph's nose bridge, while his own nose throbbed painfully, bringing tears to his eyes. "Heather, what are you doing?" he asked, clutching his nose and struggling to regain his balance. He blinked back tears, bewildered by her actions. He would be furious if anyone else had treated him this way.

"Do you not know any kickboxing skills?" Heather asked, seemingly confirming her suspicions before releasing him. Suspecting a secret Russell family handbook, given Alexander's proficiency, she'd tested Ralph's abilities. He clearly lacked them; though he might have feigned skill, his uneven breathing betrayed him.

"Of course not! The Russells aren't a family of kickboxers like yours!" he whined, rubbing his nose. If I knew kickboxing, I would've pounced on you long ago. Why be afraid and bother you like this? he thought, but wisely refrained from saying it aloud. Instead, he tried to coax her, "Heather, what's wrong? You still haven't told me who hurt you. Don't worry; although I can't fight, the Russells' power in Kingsland isn't to be trifled with. I'll find that person and deliver them to you!"

He assumed this explained her test, patting his chest confidently. His lack of kickboxing skills didn't bother him; in his view, money, not martial arts, ruled this era.

"Really?" Heather scoffed softly, taking a sip of water from a servant to rinse the blood from her mouth—a taste that reminded her of Alexander's strength. Years of kickboxing training had rarely left her injured; when she was hurt, her opponent usually fared worse. But Alexander was exceptionally strong, frighteningly so. She couldn't fight him alone, and Lily's presence would guarantee her defeat. This left her feeling deeply dissatisfied. Despite her training, she knew she wasn't invincible, but few could best her. She hadn't expected to meet her match.

Meanwhile, Ralph continued his performance. "Believe me, Heather. With me around, no one would dare bully you! Did you see who hurt you? Tell me, who in Kingsland dares to lay a finger on you?!"

"Are you genuinely going to avenge me?" Heather asked, suddenly looking at him, her tone so serious that Ralph was taken aback.