Thea was so anxious she almost burst into tears, while James remained unfazed. He had struck Zach and knocked over several clothes racks. Even the boutique manager had arrived—a woman in her thirties with an oval face, black hair, and a stylish professional dress.

"M-Mr. Smith," she said, bowing respectfully to Zach, who was waiting for Samson in the lounge. His eyes lit up at her beauty, but his interest waned instantly upon seeing Thea sitting opposite him.

Mildly, he asked, "Do you know me?"

"Yes. I saw you at a banquet," Miranda Larson, the manager, replied respectfully. Zach nodded slightly, then, looking at Thea, asked Miranda, "How much are the damaged clothes worth? Get him to compensate you."

"Mr. Smith, I've calculated the damage. Eighteen items, each worth over ten thousand dollars. The total is two hundred and ten thousand dollars."

"You hear that?" Xena sneered. "Prepare to pay two hundred and ten thousand dollars! Or, if you kneel and apologize to my husband, we'll pay it off for you."

"Jamie, let's pay and leave," Thea whispered, troubled. "We shouldn't get into trouble with the Smiths. Zach's even called for backup. If we don't leave now, we won't be able to at all."

All Thea wanted was to leave. Two hundred and ten thousand dollars was a large sum, but James had assured her he had the money. "Darling, it's okay," he smiled. "I'm waiting for his backup. Have you forgotten my military background?"

"Jamie, stop," Thea said urgently. "I heard the Blithe King issued a strict command against fighting. It's a felony, and the authorities are cracking down."

Terrified by the watching security guards, Thea wanted to pay and leave.

"Leave?" Zach's expression darkened. "Try it." Several security guards stepped forward. Leaving wasn't an option for James; a few thugs didn't faze him.

Just then, a bald man in his thirties, wearing a black tank top and a tiger tattoo, approached with twenty or so men. The other customers fled in fear.

"Samson, that's him. Break his legs," Zach commanded, pointing at James and gleefully looking at Thea. "Thea, if you come with me today, I'll let your trash of a husband go."

He drooled, hating James for possessing such a beautiful wife. He, a Smith, had never had such a woman.

Samson gestured to his men. "Attack!"

Thea, anxious again, quickly stood. "Mr. Smith, we're sorry. Please forgive us."

"Haha, too late to apologize," Xena laughed. "Unless you keep my husband company for a few days, your husband's dead meat."

James pulled Thea down. He glared at Zach. "So, you want my wife too."

"Yes," Zach admitted, his greedy gaze fixed on Thea. He'd bedded many beautiful women, but none like her.

Thea blushed under his hungry stare. Angrily, she said, "You…"

"Thea, this is your chance. Come with me for three days, and I'll let your husband go. Otherwise, he'll be in a wheelchair for life. I'll count to three. One!"

Thea's face beaded with sweat. She saw the menacing bald man and his men. "Two!" She panicked.

"Three!"

"I-I agree," Thea sobbed, overwhelmed with anxiety.

James was touched by Thea's sacrifice. Thea cried, "I agree to your terms! Don't attack my husband!"