Chapter 20

“I don’t owe you an explanation,” Simon snapped, not holding back.

“If you don’t tell me, I’ll call Mom right now,” Isabel threatened, reaching for her phone.

Simon’s eyes widened in panic. He grabbed her wrist. “Don’t call her! Don’t!” he pleaded, his voice tense. “Mom will freak out if she sees me like this.”

Isabel stopped, but her gaze remained firm. “Fine, but you’re not getting off easy. Tell me what happened.”

Simon hesitated, his shoulders slumping as he sighed. “It’s Phillip Jefferson, that rich kid from school. I accidentally angered him, and now he’s been after me. He got his goons, Rex and his crew, to ‘teach me a lesson.’ I couldn’t do anything about it… so, here I am.”

Isabel’s expression softened slightly. “So you didn’t want to go home because you were scared Mom would see you and worry?” she asked, her voice gentler.

Simon nodded, avoiding her eyes.

Isabel’s grip on his hand tightened. “Take me to them. We’re going to settle this.”

Simon recoiled, shaking his head. “No way! The Jefferson family is wealthy, and Rex has serious connections. We can’t mess with them.”

“Shut up,” Isabel snapped. “I said take me to them. No more excuses. I’m your sister—don’t you trust me?”

Simon froze, visibly shaken by Isabel’s fierce determination. The thought of facing the gang made him break out in a cold sweat.

“I’m not going,” he muttered weakly. “If you want to go, you go alone.”

“Scaredy-cat! Why are you being such a wimp? Fine. I’ll just call Mom and tell her to come get me instead,” Isabel said, reaching for her phone.

“No!” Simon quickly grabbed her wrist, panic creeping into his voice. She’d hit him where it hurt, and he knew it.

Reluctantly, he sighed, knowing there was no way out. With a resigned grunt, he muttered, “Fine. I’ll take you there.”

After a while, they arrived at a dimly lit bar. Simon glanced nervously around.

“Phillip and Rex are regulars here. Rex has a lot of influence around here—people are scared of him. Are you sure you want to do this?” he asked, his voice shaky.

Isabel said nothing. She walked in, appearing confident and unfazed.

Simon hesitated, worry gnawing at him. He didn’t want to leave her alone, but he couldn’t stand by either. Clenching his fists, he followed.

At the bar, Isabel casually asked about Jefferson. The bartender, recognizing the name, quickly directed them.

It was obvious Phillip and Rex were well-known. Isabel noted this, but it didn't deter her. She then glanced at Simon, who had followed her to the bar. “What are you doing here? Aren’t you scared?”

Simon stammered, scrambling for an excuse. “I… I couldn’t just leave you here alone. Mom would kill me.”

Isabel didn’t respond. Instead, she kicked open the door to the back room, her foot striking it forcefully.

Simon froze, eyes wide. That’s some serious strength, he thought. She was just like their brother Alex—no fear, no hesitation.

Inside, Phillip and Rex’s crew were partying. When the door crashed open, they all stopped and stared.

“Well, well, well… I was wondering who had the guts to kick in Rex’s door. Looks like it’s you, Simon,” Phillip said, a smug smile spreading across his face. “What’s up? Still sore from last night’s beating? Didn’t get enough?”

Simon’s throat tightened, but he couldn’t speak. He knew how this would play out.

Rex, a man who looked like he’d been in a hundred fights, smirked, his bald head gleaming under the low lights. Tattoos covered his neck and arms, his whole body radiating menace. His crew, equally intimidating, watched eagerly.

He raised a hand, signaling Phillip to be quiet. Then, he turned his cold eyes to Isabel and Simon. “What’s this? You bring a woman into our turf? What’s the plan?”

Simon, his nerves frayed, was too scared to respond. He couldn’t protect himself, let alone Isabel.

Phillip laughed. “I see what’s going on here, Rex. This kid’s trying to make peace by offering a woman as a gift!”

“Watch your mouth. She’s my sister!” Simon shot back defensively, though his voice lacked conviction.

“Sister, huh?” Phillip laughed louder. “Well, that makes things even more interesting. She’s looking good. How about sticking around and having some fun with us?”

Rex slowly rose, his eyes narrowing as he pointed at Simon. “Your sister stays, and as for you… well, if you crawl through my legs, I’ll let you go.”

“Yeah, yeah! It’s an honor, really,” Phillip chimed in. “Hurry up, Simon. Crawl through his legs and beg for mercy!”

Simon’s face flushed with anger and embarrassment. He tugged at Isabel’s sleeve. “Let’s get out of here.”

“I’m not going,” Isabel said, unyielding.

“Looks like Rex’s caught your eye, huh? You planning on sticking around and keeping us company?” Phillip’s grin widened.

Isabel stepped forward, one foot on the coffee table, looking down at the group with icy calm. “Sure, I’m here to stay. The real question is, can you handle it?”

The room fell silent. The air felt heavy, as if she’d shifted the balance of power.

Rex, used to intimidating others, felt a cold sweat trickle down his spine. His cocky grin faded, and he stood slowly, sensing the shift in energy.

Phillip, still arrogant, stepped forward, a sneer on his lips. “So, you’re sticking around, huh? Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

He reached for Isabel, but before he could touch her, Simon pushed him away with surprising strength. “Don’t you dare touch my sister!”

Isabel blinked, surprised. She hadn’t expected Simon to defend her. Phillip stumbled back, fury flashing across his face. “Rex, let’s get this kid first!”

But before Rex could react, Isabel grabbed a beer bottle and swung it at his head.

Crack!

Rex crumpled to the floor, blood streaming from his forehead.

“Don’t you dare mess with Rex!” Phillip roared, and his thugs charged forward.

Simon’s heart pounded. But Isabel shoved him aside and, with lightning speed, took down each thug with another beer bottle.

Crash! Bang! Thud!

Phillip, shocked, was kicked hard in the chest.

Rex wiped the blood from his face. “Darn it! You’re asking for it!”

He pulled out a knife, aiming it at Isabel. Simon’s eyes widened in horror. It was too late.

Just as the knife neared Isabel, she disarmed Rex with perfect timing and kicked him into the wall.

The thugs groaned in agony.

Simon watched in disbelief. He hadn’t expected Isabel to be so formidable.

Rex and Phillip, rattled, struggled to rise.

Rex was about to speak when another beer bottle smashed into his head. He fell again.

Phillip crawled to Rex, grabbing him by the collar. “Rex, call Mr. Preston! We need him to deal with her.”

“Mr. Preston?” Isabel narrowed her eyes at the mention of the name.