Chapter 499 ()
Dean strode into the restaurant, his expression dark and menacing. The moment Hugh saw him, his confidence soared. He scrambled up from the floor and glared at Andrew with a venomous sneer.
“You think you’re tough? Go ahead, slap me again, you punk! Let me teach you something–out here, it’s all about power and connections!”
Andrew raised an eyebrow and asked, “Are you sure you want me to slap you again?”
Hugh smacked his swollen face and jeered. “Do it! I dare you! You won’t. You’re probably so scared right now you’re about to wet your pants!”
With Madblade Martial Academy’s martial artists here, Hugh was convinced Andrew would not dare make another move. In his mind, he was already imagining the scene of Andrew groveling at his feet, sobbing and begging for forgiveness.
Yet, before Hugh could enjoy his fantasy, Andrew’s hand whipped across his face again with twice the force. Hugh flew backward, crashing straight into Dean and his men as they entered the restaurant.
Dean’s quick reflexes saved Hugh from face-planting onto the floor. The rest of the onlookers stood frozen, stunned that Andrew dared to hit Hugh again despite the presence of Madblade Martial Academy’s crew.
Hugh roared like a wounded animal, pointing a shaking finger at Andrew. “Kill him, Mr. Mayer! Tear him apart! I want him in pieces–I’ll eat his flesh and drink his blood!”
As he raged, Hugh could not wrap his head around how Andrew still had the nerve to strike him.
Dean, on the other hand, had already spotted Andrew and Lauren. His face turned pale, and he quickly forced a nervous smile as he stepped forward.
“Mr. Lloyd, Ms. Rhodes–I didn’t realize you were here!”
Lauren gave him a bright but mocking smile. “Of course, we’re here. Not only that, but we also gave Rodney’s loser cousin a proper beating. I hear you’re here to back him up, so what are you waiting for? Go on, make your move.”
Dean’s face paled further as the realization hit him. “Wait–what? This idiot actually picked a fight with the two of you?”
Lauren smirked. “What did you think? Now go ahead and do what you came to do. Nasty Hugh over there can’t wait for you to teach us a lesson.”
Hugh, still oblivious to the tension, barked impatiently. “Mr. Mayer, what’s the holdup? They’re practically daring you! Look at me! You’ve seen what they’ve done to me. You have to take them down–cripple them or kill them! I won’t be satisfied until they’re completely destroyed!”
Dean’s patience snapped. Without a word, he turned and slammed his fist into Hugh’s head with a loud thud, sending him sprawling across the floor.
He stormed over and began stomping on Hugh with all his might. “You idiot! How dare you drag me into this by messing with Mr. Lloyd and Ms. Rhodes! You useless, brainless piece of trash!”
Hugh could only scream as Dean’s kicks landed one after another.
Consumed with panic and fury, Dean cursed with every hit, venting all his frustration. He could not believe his luck. He had assumed this was a routine job—show up, break up a fight, and maybe extort some cash.
Rodney had given him straightforward instructions, and Dean had already mapped out the entire process in his head on the way here.
Nonetheless, seeing Andrew and Lauren–the two people he least wanted to offend —Dean realized he had walked straight into a nightmare. For a fleeting moment, he genuinely regretted ever stepping into this restaurant.
After losing control of the Northern District, Dean had been a desperate man, scraping for survival. Hence, he joined Madblade Martial Academy.