Helena regarded Hera with the posture of a victor, contempt hardening in her eyes. She aimed to crush Hera's dignity, to definitively assert her claim to the Lewis family's future. Nash's gaze, intense and curious, followed Hera, assessing her response to Helena's pressure.

Hera remained motionless. Her mother's efforts, she knew, would be for naught. Even securing her grandfather's favor, even Nash's martial arts skills, felt insignificant against the crushing weight of the Watson family's wealth and influence. Even the Mares, her mother's family, were insignificant compared to the Watsons. She moved toward Helena, each step a heavy trudge through a metaphorical swamp. A glimpse of Nash's disappointment struck her with bitter regret. Perhaps she shouldn't have acted impulsively yesterday; if she hadn't proposed to Nash, he wouldn't be here to witness her humiliation. The five meters to Helena felt like an eternity.

Skadi gritted her teeth. "Hera, you can't kneel! You may be able to afford to lose your dignity, but what about Uncle and Aunt? And Nash… do you want him to be shamed before the entire Lewis family?" Her voice cracked with hysteria. Turning to Nash, she demanded, "Nash, do you want your fiancée to kneel before another woman? Are you still a man?"

Nash remained calm, unmoved. He'd known Hera only a day. Whether she was using him for familial advantage or other reasons remained unclear. Still, he felt she needed to confront this dominance and pressure herself. If she couldn't handle this, how would she face future business rivals? Would she always rely on Skadi and her parents? Nash's assessment was that Hera had faltered.

He left the office silently, unwilling to witness her capitulation. As he passed Albino, the man sneered, "Is she your woman?" Nash ignored the taunt and continued on. Albino chuckled, "You can't even protect your own woman. You're more useless than trash!" Ignoring him, Nash reached the door, lit a cigarette, and inhaled deeply.

A sharp slap echoed from the office, making Nash's heart clench. He was merely fulfilling a contract; why this unease? Was he developing feelings for her? Guilt washed over him.

"You… How dare you hit me, you bitch?!" Helena's carefully applied makeup was marred by a crimson handprint. Disbelief and fury contorted her features. "You're asking for it…"

Albino's face twisted into a sinister grin as he seized Hera's throat, lifting her off the ground. He'd expected her submission; he hadn't anticipated the slap. Protecting Helena was his task, and now she'd been struck by a seemingly frail woman. The consequences of this failure terrified him.

"You bastard, let Hera go!" Skadi launched a swift flying kick, only to be sent sprawling by Albino's retaliatory blow. She crashed into the desk, scattering files across the floor.

Hera's face flushed crimson; veins bulged on her forehead. Her nails dug deeply into Albino's wrist and hand. Albino turned to Helena. "You won't mind if I kill her, right, Ms. Helena?" Helena, seething, replied, "Kill her. Kai will cover our backs!"

Albino tightened his grip, but his strength abruptly vanished. Another hand clamped down on his wrist. Nash, cigarette still in his mouth, struck with brutal efficiency. Albino released Hera, who stumbled to the floor. Nash supported her, gently lowering her to the ground.

Albino stared, incredulous. "Who… Who are you?"

Nash blew a smoke ring, then plunged his severed right hand into his shoulder. Blood sprayed everywhere. Albino screamed in agony as Nash's knee shattered his abdomen, sending him crashing through the shattered window. He lay unconscious on the ground below.

Helena, speechless with terror, stared at the blood on Nash's face. After a moment, she fled.

Nash flicked away his cigarette and the shattered glass, then approached the dazed Hera. He hadn't anticipated this turn of events. That slap, he realized, signaled Hera's triumph over her fear. A sense of satisfaction filled him. He extended his blood-stained hand; Hera took it, and he pulled her to her feet.

"Congratulations on breaking through yourself," he said with a faint smile.

Hera burst into tears. "How can you still smile? We might really end up sleeping on the streets…" She understood the consequences of her actions; Helena would sabotage the Drake Group collaboration, bankrupting Baroque.

Seeing her distress, Nash pulled her into a hug. "With me by your side, you won't ever sleep on the streets!"

Hera looked up, hesitant. "Really?"

"Well, I can take you to sleep in motels!"

"You're so annoying!" Hera punched him playfully in the chest.

Skadi emerged from the debris, grinning. "I almost broke my waist, and you two are still flirting?"

Hera rushed to Skadi's side. "Skadi, are you okay?"

"Heh… I won't die so easily!" Skadi leaned against the wall, a cracking sound accompanying a wave of pain. Determination hardened her gaze. Albino was a Stage Nine expert, yet Nash had dispatched him effortlessly. Who was this man?

Hera called for cleaning and medical assistance. Nash contacted Chatty Skye.

"No wonder I was woken up early this morning by magpies chirping. So, Nashy was going to look for me…"

"Do you know about Drake Group?" Nash interrupted.