Chapter 21

Phillip handed over the phone, and Rex quickly dialed a number. “Mr. Preston, it’s me, Rex,” he begged. “I’m in a bit of a situation and can’t handle it. I’ll owe you my life, I swear!”

Isabel, overhearing this, immediately grabbed Simon’s arm. “This is bad! They’ve called Mr. Preston! He’s no joke—worse than…” Simon’s voice trailed off, fear evident in his eyes. “Rex is just one of his lackeys. Word on the street is that Mr. Preston doesn’t hesitate to kill, and he has a brutal reputation. We can’t mess with someone like him…”

Seeing Simon’s panic, Rex and Phillip’s confidence swelled. “Now you know what happens when you mess with me, huh? When Mr. Preston gets here, you’ll wish you were never born. If you’ve got the guts, stay where you are,” Rex sneered, his tone dripping with arrogance.

Isabel calmly picked up an apple and tossed it straight into Rex’s face, silencing him. She then yanked the thug who had been thrown onto the sofa to his feet and sat down.

“Isabel, let’s get out of here! Once Mr. Preston arrives, we’re done for!” Simon panicked, unable to comprehend her calm demeanor. “It’s fine,” Isabel replied, nonchalantly scrolling through her Instagram.

The apple had struck Rex’s nose with such force that he was speechless, too wary to say anything more, unsure what she might throw next.

About half an hour later, Rex’s call was answered. Mr. Preston arrived.

“Finally! Mr. Preston’s here!” Phillip cheered, starstruck. This was his first time seeing the legendary Mr. Preston.

“Mr. Preston, you’re here!” Rex grinned, trying to mask his pain as he rushed to greet the man.

Tyler Preston’s gaze swept over the room with indifference. What a mess, he thought. But when his eyes landed on Isabel, he was visibly surprised. Isabel glanced at him lazily, unimpressed.

“What’s going on?” Tyler asked.

“Mr. Preston, it’s this woman. She’s causing trouble and messing with some of our guys!” Rex complained.

Isabel responded casually, “They were bullying my brother, so I’m just getting even.”

“Mr. Preston, this woman’s too cocky,” Rex continued. “You’ve got to deal with her. She’s not easy to handle—she knows how to fight…”

Slap!

Before Rex could finish, Tyler slapped him across the face, knocking him sideways. Rex stumbled, his cheek immediately swelling.

“Mr. Preston…what…?” Rex stammered, confused.

“Kneel!” Tyler’s voice dropped, the fury in his words making everyone freeze.

“Huh?” Rex was shocked.

“How dare you talk back?” Tyler’s voice boomed. The thugs, already trembling, shrank back further.

Rex fell to his knees, his face contorted in terror. “Mr. Preston…” he squeaked, not daring to look up.

Tyler glanced at Simon, who visibly flinched. “Mr. Galvez, I’m sorry. Were these guys giving you trouble? They’re all here now—anyone who wronged you, feel free to take it out on them.” Tyler’s tone was smooth, even respectful.

Simon was speechless. He couldn’t believe this was the same Tyler Preston he’d heard such terrifying rumors about. He glanced at Isabel, unsure what to do.

“Since Mr. Preston said so, go ahead and take your revenge. You’ve been wronged before; now’s your chance to make it right,” Isabel replied nonchalantly.

“Really?” Simon couldn’t believe it.

Encouraged, Simon walked up to Phillip and slapped him hard across the face. “You deserve this, Jefferson!”

Phillip was dazed. “Rex, help me?” he cried out.

Rex, still kneeling before Tyler, didn’t dare move. He was too terrified.

Simon slapped Phillip a few more times and kicked him while he was down. One by one, he made sure each of the thugs who had bullied him paid the price.

By the time it was over, Simon was exhausted. “This is so tiring,” he said, looking to Isabel for support.

“Fine. Since you’re tired, Rex, apologize. Don’t make me spell it out for you.” Tyler’s cold gaze lingered on the still-kneeling Rex. “Yes, Mr. Preston…” Rex scrambled to his feet, his voice shaky. “Mr. Galvez, I’m so sorry! It’s all my fault. I didn’t see who I was dealing with. Please, forgive me…” He crawled to Simon and knelt.

Seeing Rex grovel, Phillip finally realized the severity of the situation. All the thugs were now on their knees, begging for forgiveness.

“Well, Mr. Galvez, will you forgive them?” Tyler asked calmly.

“No way,” Simon snapped. These guys had bullied him for too long, simply because his family was poor. This time, he wouldn’t let it slide.

“Alright. You all heard him,” Tyler turned to the thugs. “He won’t forgive you, so if you want to live, you’ve got to cut off an arm or a leg as penance.”

Simon stared in shock. The thugs were terrified. Rex threw himself at Simon’s feet. “Mr. Galvez, please! Spare us! We’re just a bunch of trash—please don’t punish us…” Rex’s desperate cries sent a chill down Simon’s spine.

As he stood there, stunned, the sickening sound of a bone snapping echoed through the room. One of the thugs’ arms had been broken—Mr. Preston had done it with one swift motion. The arm hit the ground with a sickening thud. Simon froze, his body shaking. He hadn’t expected Mr. Preston to be this brutal. The rumors were true—he was heartless, merciless.

Phillip passed out from the shock. Rex and his men crowded around Simon, groveling. “Mr. Galvez, please, beg you! Don’t let us die like this!”

Simon realized that if he didn’t forgive them, they would be Mr. Preston’s next victims.

“Mr. Galvez, if you’re still not satisfied, I’ll continue…” Tyler spoke up.

“I… I forgive them,” Simon quickly said, his voice shaky. The brutality he’d witnessed was enough to make him agree to anything.

“Alright. Since Mr. Galvez has forgiven you, you’ve gotten off easy. Watch yourselves.” The thugs, seeing Simon’s decision, immediately prostrated themselves before him.