Chapter 12 Unforeseen Confrontation

• Chase chuckled softly before turning to Swift. "The symptoms she's showing are merely superficial. The root of her illness lies deeper, in a different malady. To address her current symptoms, we must first treat the underlying condition."
• Swift's anxiety spiked. "Divine Dr. Gatzby, does our leader suffer from another illness? Is it serious?"
• Chase adopted a grave expression. "Extremely serious."
• Hannah stiffened at his words, and the other members of the Baylor family exchanged worried glances, their concern evident.
• "Divine Dr. Gatzby, please, what ailment afflicts our leader?" Swift pleaded, grabbing Chase's arm.
• Chase cast a solemn glance at Hannah. "As I mentioned earlier, she suffers from a grave affliction of self-righteousness. It's a deeply ingrained disease, one that's notoriously difficult to cure."
• Pfft!
• Scott was the first to crack, his laughter bubbling up uncontrollably.
• Soon, Swift joined in, covering her mouth to stifle her giggles, fearing Hannah's reaction.
• "Chase Gatzby!" Hannah's voice boomed through the room.
• "I only mistook you for a fraud! Must you mock me repeatedly? Is there anyone more petty than you? Are you even a man?"
• Her composure shattered, and the grace and elegance of a goddess vanished.
• Any admirer witnessing this scene would be utterly shocked.
• Chase remained unfazed.
• He looked at Hannah calmly and declared, "Don't forget, from today onward, you are my servant."
• With that, he waved his hand and left the Baylor family villa.
• "Chase! One day, I will kill you!" Hannah's furious voice echoed, hanging in the air long after he was gone.
• …
• Not long ago, in a chic Western restaurant in Gemville, Sydney and Sara met with a young man named Harvey, also known as Mr. Grayson, a scion of a powerful family.
• Harvey had long harbored admiration for Sydney, but she had always been indifferent to his affections.
• Now, however, Sydney found herself in a significant predicament. Sara suggested seeking Harvey's help to mediate, believing there might still be a chance for resolution. Reluctantly, Sydney had no choice but to arrange the meeting and ask for his assistance.
• "Sydney, don't worry. Wessel will still respect my influence," Harvey assured her confidently.
• "Then I must thank you in advance, Mr. Grayson," Sydney replied.
• …
• Chase took a taxi back to the Lux Suite.
• As soon as he stepped out of the car and walked a few steps, a group of thuggish-looking men surrounded him.
• "You're Chase Gatzby, right? Come with me," one of them demanded, a tattooed thug with a cocky tilt to his head.
• Chase glanced around at the group but stayed silent, allowing them to lead him to a deserted alley.
• "Kid, you've got some nerve crossing the wrong people. Today, we're gonna break your legs," the tattooed man threatened, brandishing a steel rod at Chase's knees.
• Chase remained unflustered. "Then could you at least tell me who sent you?"
• The tattooed man spat on the ground. "I don't know who you pissed off, but you did. Someone paid my boss, and my boss sent me to deal with you. Tough luck for you today!"
• Chase suddenly grinned. "Alright then, let's not waste any time. Get on with it."
• The tattooed man hesitated, taken aback by Chase's calm defiance.
• This was blatant disrespect!
• Grinding his teeth, he barked, "Get him!"
• In less than a minute, all the thugs, except the tattooed man, were sprawled on the ground.
• "You... Don't come any closer. I'm telling you, my boss is Knockout Marc, a trusted subordinate of Mr. Aukes. Cross me, and you'll die a painful death!" the tattooed man threatened.
• Mr. Aukes?
• Hearing the name, Chase's eyes narrowed.
• He approached, pushing aside the steel rod in the thug's hand.
• Patting the man's shoulder, he smiled faintly. "Take me to see your boss."
• They arrived at the Harmony Wellness Center.
• Chase followed the tattooed man to the third floor.
• "Who are you looking for?" Two men blocked their way.
• "I'm looking for Knockout Marc. Is he here?" the tattooed man asked timidly.
• "Mr. Aukes is in Knockout Marc's office. You wait here," the two men instructed, barring their entry.
• 'Slap!' 'Slap!'
• With two swift movements, Chase knocked out the guards and marched directly to the office.
• In the labyrinthine corridors of power and control, Marcus Knight, a trusted lieutenant under Mr. Aukes's employ, was no mere lackey. Renowned for his mastery of martial arts, he bore the moniker "Knockout Marc" and presided over the operations at the Harmony Wellness Center.
• Presently, he found himself in Mr. Aukes's presence, delivering a report.
• The tranquility of their meeting was rudely interrupted as the office door was kicked open with a resounding crash.
• "F—k! Who in blazes granted you entry? Don't you know Mr. Aukes is here?"
• Marcus jolted from his seat and cast a furious glance towards the intruders, Chase, and his tattooed companion.
• "Who is Knockout Marc?"
• Chase sauntered in casually, seizing a chair and sitting down, making himself comfortable.
• Marcus, eyeing the tattooed figure lurking in the corner, sensed trouble brewing.
• Adopting a more cautious tone, Marcus inquired, "And who might you be? What business brings you here?"
• Chase scoffed, "You sent your goons to break my legs, and now you ask about my identity?"
• "I'm curious: who ordered the assault on me?"
• Marcus looked towards the tattooed accomplice, realizing the gravity of the situation.
• Furrowing his brow, Marcus muttered, "Seems I've underestimated you."
• "What's the commotion?"
• Mr. Aukes, sitting on the sofa, interjected, his voice cutting through the tension.
• Marcus leaned in close to Mr. Aukes's ear, his voice a hushed murmur as he relayed the situation.
• Mr. Aukes, his demeanor frosty, offered a curt nod before delivering his verdict in a chilling tone, "He's already breached your sanctuary. What are you hesitating for?"
• Comprehending the gravity of the situation, Marcus shed his coat, clenched his fists, and lunged at Chase.
• 'Bang!'
• With a thunderous crash, Marcus collided with a filing cabinet behind him.
• Struggling to rise, Marcus's eyes widened in disbelief, betraying his shock and disbelief at the unexpected turn of events.
• "Not bad! You've got some moves," Marcus remarked. "But prowess in combat won't save you here. This is my domain."
• "Chipmunk, call for reinforcements!" He barked at the tattooed henchman, pointing a menacing finger at Chase. "Today, I'll break all of your limbs!"
• Chase paused for a moment, contemplating his next move, before uttering, "You'd better summon every ally you have."
• With a dismissive wave, he added, "Don't dawdle; I have no time to waste."
• Marcus stood dumbfounded, taken aback by Chase's brazen display of arrogance.
• Such arrogance! Never before had he encountered such audacious confidence!
• "Chase Gatzby, right? Alright! I'll remember you! Don't come crying and begging me later!" Marcus's voice reverberated through gritted teeth.
• 'Bang!'
• Mr. Aukes, clutching a teacup, involuntarily trembled at the mention of Chase's name, causing the porcelain to shatter against the floor.
• Straightening his posture, he scrutinized Chase's countenance with a mix of shock and disbelief.
• Oh, my word! How could he be here?
• Simultaneously, a cohort of enforcers brandishing clubs encircled the third floor, rendering escape impossible.
• "Take a good look around! Now, kneel at once, administer a self-inflicted slap, and don't you dare cease until I grant permission or prepare for a grisly demise!"
• Marcus's tone dripped with newfound superiority, his arrogance intensifying.
• 'Smack!'
• Before Marcus could revel in his superiority, a sharp blow landed on his cheek, silencing him.
• Stunned, he turned towards Mr. Aukes, his astonishment palpable. "Mr. Aukes, why... why did you strike me?"
• "I'll slap you to death!"
• Mr. Aukes paid Marcus no heed, delivering another resounding slap without a second thought.