After leaving the Principal’s office, Yvette went straight to the nearby arcade instead of returning to the physics classroom. Eagle King found her there, playing basketball with some children. Seeing her so playful and childlike, a rare sight, he didn't interrupt.
He was dressed in a floral tank top, his azure dragon tattoo prominently displayed. People passing by avoided prolonged eye contact. Standing at the entrance, he lit a cigarette, the rising smoke stirring up long-buried memories. His mind drifted back to a rainy night seven years earlier.
He’d just finished a mission but was ambushed due to carelessness, gravely injured, and fled into a narrow alley. Too weak to move, he awaited death. Life and death held little meaning in his line of work. Then, in a half-conscious state, he heard a voice: “Do you need help?” Summoning his last breath, he whispered, “Yes,” and fell into a deep coma. He awoke in Yvette's apartment.
“What are you thinking about?” Yvette asked, turning around with candy she’d won. She noticed Eagle King, looking distant and lost in thought.
He stubbed out his cigarette and grinned mischievously. “Boss, you might want to look behind.”
Yvette glanced back. The children she’d played with looked on the verge of tears. ‘Come on, it’s just some candy,’ she thought. Juggling the sweets, she sighed and returned them, keeping one pink piece for herself. Eagle King saw this but remained silent.
His expression then turned serious. “Boss, people in Mysonna are asking about you. Word is, it’s the Goodman family. When did you cross them? Braydon Goodman is infamous. If he’s after you, it won’t be easy to shake him off.”
Yvette kicked a pebble. “Don’t worry. He can’t reach me here. Let him make a fuss.”
Eagle King chuckled wryly. “What’s it like having a boss who fears nothing?” he wondered. The Goodman family’s name alone inspired fear. For decades, they’d dominated Mysonna’s underworld. Braydon, particularly ruthless, was known for killing without a trace, his subordinates unrivaled.
“All right, let’s head back to school,” Yvette said, her irritation fading. The hostility in her eyes was gone, replaced by a carefree look.
Eagle King looked at her with a pained expression. “Boss, seriously? You called me over, and before I’m comfortable, you’re telling me to leave? That’s unfair!”
Yvette’s voice was soft, despite her sharp and alluring profile. “You got a problem with that?”
Eagle King trembled inwardly. “No problem. By the way, are you really not taking that 100 million dollar deal?”
Yvette waved her hand dismissively. “Nope.” Her lean figure seemed even more frail in the fading sunlight.
After Yvette left, Eagle King headed back to the bar. Winona quickly hid, pretending to look at something, as he turned. He’d already seen her.
“Ha! Where’d this stray come from, thinking she could spy on us?” he muttered.
Winona had found Yvette by chance. She was supposed to have dinner at the Carter residence, but her interest in Victor had waned, and she was only going out of obligation. Seeing Yvette playing games, she’d stopped, then noticed Eagle King. She quickly took a picture of them. She was confident this would dissuade the man from the auditorium.
After Yvette and Eagle King parted, Winona followed Eagle King. He deliberately led her on a chase, her high heels giving her blistered feet. He stopped at a newsstand, buying a newspaper. In the mirror, he saw her disheveled appearance, smirking knowingly; he recognized her.
After two hours, he returned to Night Bar. Winona watched but didn't follow, as the bar wasn't yet open. She knew where he worked, so she wasn’t worried. She ignored Victor’s numerous messages. She took a picture of her swollen ankle and sent it to him along with her location.
Victor rushed to find her disheveled in a café. Winona, with teary eyes, explained she’d been hit by a cyclist. Victor called his driver and took her to the hospital. Rebecca waited at home, calling Victor repeatedly, but he missed her calls while getting Winona medicine. Winona ignored Rebecca's calls.
At the university cafeteria, Yvette enjoyed a ribs platter. Bonnie found her, relieved. Yvette’s gaze was hidden by her eyelashes.
“Yve, I finally found you!” Bonnie exclaimed, panting and drinking water.
Yvette murmured, “Not scared of me anymore?”
Bonnie, firm now, said, “Yve, I’m not scared of you.”
Yvette took a bite of her ribs, nodding approvingly. “Have a seat,” she said.
Bonnie happily sat, recounting the day’s events in physics class. “Yve, guess what? We’ve got a new teacher. Guess who?”