"Why don't you ask them? No woman in Summerbank would dare disrespect me," Joseph said, inching closer to Roxanne.

Disdain filled his eyes as he stared at her. "You should feel honored I'm talking to you, yet you try to brush me off. Do you think you can get away with it just because you have a pretty face? Don't forget you're in Summerbank now."

Roxanne willed herself to calm down. Glancing at the men behind Joseph, all staring, she swallowed her pride. "That's not what I meant," she said. "If you want to be friends, just say so directly. I wouldn't dare be friends with you if you bring so many people. I'd be afraid."

Joseph, thinking Roxanne understood, turned to his friends, shooting them a look.

The men instantly retreated, though they still watched Joseph and Roxanne with anticipation.

Soon, only Roxanne and Joseph remained. Joseph's gaze shamelessly roamed Roxanne's body.

Roxanne curled her fingers into a light fist, resisting the urge to vomit. Forcing a smile, she calmly backed away, trying to lure Joseph from the others' sight. Alone with him, she could strike. A blow to his acupuncture points would leave him powerless, allowing her escape. Attacking him surrounded would be far harder.

Just as she was about to turn the corner, a wail echoed from the crowd outside.

Everyone, stunned by the sudden shout, turned.

They saw a young man, previously at the edge of the group, flung through the air, falling before the crowd. The crowd parted to make way.

Roxanne's gaze instantly found the man walking through them. Her eyebrows furrowed.

He had again caught her at her worst.

"Who is it!" Joseph roared, seeking revenge for his attacked friend. He had already seen his friends sent flying. But Joseph vaguely thought the approaching man looked familiar, though he couldn't place him. Nevertheless, the man's domineering aura intimidated him. If not for his friends watching, Joseph likely would have fled.

Lucian's dark gaze fixed on Roxanne, not sparing Joseph a glance. He had searched for her on the upper floor, to no avail. He was returning to the lower floor when he heard the commotion and saw the crowd. Approaching, he saw Roxanne smiling at an unfamiliar man.

The smile instantly crumpled something within him. It was absurd that she smiled at this man while maintaining a distant demeanor around Lucian. He decided to see how far she'd go, when he heard whispers.

"Look at her amazing body. Joseph's going to have a good time tonight."

Rage surged in Lucian, darkening his expression. The man who spoke felt a chill. Before he could react, a kick sent him flying. Fury was etched on Lucian's face.

Roxanne glanced at Lucian briefly, then looked away, lacking the courage to meet his gaze. Her smile faltered. Guessing Lucian had seen her actions, regret filled her heart. She had only been trying to escape Joseph, but Lucian would likely misunderstand.

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