Chapter 22

Right at the last second, a cold voice commanded, "Get away from her!"

Baldy's hand had just begun to swing when a powerful force struck his back. Before he could grunt, a kick sent him sprawling, motionless on the ground.

Christina stared in disbelief at Andrew, who had appeared behind Baldy. Andrew's eyes were frighteningly cold, lethal.

"W-Why did you come back?" Christina stammered, surprised. She'd thought he had left, disappointed by his perceived cowardice.

"Should I have let them take you?" Andrew snapped, his gaze stern.

Christina froze, feeling his aggression. "Andrew, I know I misunderstood you, but—"

Before she finished, Baldy roared, "Get him! Kill that bastard!"

A dozen thugs in black clothes surrounded Andrew, some drawing weapons.

Shawn, secretly delighted, thought, Idiot. He's dead. No one messes with Dylan's men! He was annoyed by Andrew's sudden heroism, making him look cowardly in comparison.

Christina screamed, "Andrew, run!"

But in the next second, she, Irene, Shawn, and the onlookers were stunned. With a blank expression, Andrew unleashed a flurry of precise strikes, effortlessly blocking their attacks. Within seconds, the thugs lay groaning, unable to rise.

"H-How's he such a good fighter?" Leroy's scalp tingled. He feared Andrew more than Baldy's crew, remembering his earlier knife threat and the cold sweat now tracing his back. He'd played with fire.

Shawn was shocked. "This loser has impressive skills!"

Christina's beautiful eyes were fixed on the man, his punches lightning-fast. She couldn't believe a small-town doctor possessed such combat skill.

Baldy's face contorted with rage. He pulled a knife and lunged, shouting, "Die!"

Andrew's eyes flashed coldly as he grabbed the man's wrist and twisted. With a sickening crack, Baldy's wrist shattered. The pain brought him to his knees, screaming.

"You're in deep shit! We're Mr. Garner's men! He'll have you torn to pieces!"

Andrew replied coolly, "Sorry, I've never heard of this Mr. Garner. Is he important?"

He tightened his grip, eliciting more screams and curses.

Christina stepped forward. "Andrew, let him go. Stop hurting people."

Holding his bloody nose, Shawn added spitefully, "You're in big trouble. Mr. Garner's ruthless—you'll be lucky if he only cripples you."

Irene trembled, yelling, "You're a walking disaster! You've doomed us all! Let him go and apologize!"

Baldy shouted, "I want him dead, or this isn't over!"

Andrew casually struck the man's bald head, knocking him unconscious. "You talk too much," he muttered.

Shawn and the onlookers gulped. This guy was incredibly bold. Dylan, notorious for his brutality—the youngest and most vicious of Jayrodale's four underground leaders—inspired fear. Yet Andrew seemed unconcerned. Did he truly not fear death?