Assistant Ella, along with a few others, desperately tried to shield her, but boss Kelly Grey was still assaulted. Someone had grabbed her hard, leaving a yellowish-brown stain on her white business jacket, emitting a foul stench.
Kelly Grey, born into a well-bred family, had never experienced such chaos. Her face turned pale, feeling as though she might be swallowed by the crowd at any moment.
Suddenly, a deep male voice called from behind, “This way, come over here!”
Kelly Grey turned and saw a young man in a tight T-shirt, leading a group of people rushing out from the Beast’s Den.
Bruce worked with Martin, forcefully pushing through the crowd, clearing a path for Martin to reach Kelly Grey.
Martin shoved aside those lunging towards them, but more people surged forward. He grabbed Kelly Grey with one hand and a brunette woman in her forties with the other, shouting, “Hurry, let’s go!”
Kelly Grey rushed toward the Beast’s Den.
Martin shielded them, maneuvering through the crowd. Amid the chaos, he subtly scratched the left side of his neck with his right hand.
Once inside the club, Kelly Grey, still shaken, yelled, “Close the door! Shut that damned door!”
Her concern for her own safety far outweighed that for her colleagues still battling outside.
Seeing that all their people had returned, Martin and Bruce shut the door and locked it from the inside.
“It's madness, they’ve all lost it.”
Five others, including Rachel in her forties, who was visibly terrified, followed them in. “Those people out there are maniacs.”
Martin then asked, “It’s a mess out there. Why don’t you stay here for a while?”
Outside, the sound of sirens blared as a large contingent of APD officers arrived.
But Kelly Grey had no intention of leaving. She followed Martin further inside, “That might be a good idea.” She spotted the bar and liquor cabinet. “Could I get a glass of sweet wine?”
Bruce lined up six glass tumblers and poured peach wine.
Martin brought out a small packet of wet wipes, handing one to each person. After giving one to Kelly Grey, he stood beside her and opened the last packet to wipe his neck.
Kelly Grey wiped her hands and the spots where she’d been grabbed. Smelling the pungent odor on her jacket, she tore it off and threw it aside. Then, she heard a soft hiss.
Turning her head, she saw that the young man who had saved them bore three distinct scratch marks across his neck.
“Thank you,” Kelly Grey, a bit calmer now, asked, “Are you hurt badly?”
Martin smiled, “Just a scratch. Really, it’s us who should be thanking you. You were defending us.”
His good looks, soothing words, and the fact that he’d been injured while saving her left a deep impression on Kelly Grey.
Ivan walked over, glaring at Martin’s neck, swearing, “Who did this to you? I’ll make them regret it!”
Martin almost kicked him but restrained himself, remembering it for later. “It’s insane. I didn’t expect things to escalate like this.”
Bruce handed Ivan a trash bin. “Take the used wipes and toss them out. Stop acting like an idiot.”
Kelly Grey sipped half her glass of wine, gradually regaining her composure. “Why are they targeting you?”
Martin answered honestly, “This afternoon, they suddenly started gathering outside the club.”
Kelly Grey furrowed her brow in thought.
Martin continued with selective truth, “I know your colleague, Mr. Andrew. He once told me to alert him if I noticed any actions against your organization. I called Mr. Andrew.”
Kelly Grey remembered Andrew, a long-standing employee of her company.
Martin flexed his neck slightly, wincing in pain. “Sorry, I didn’t expect things to…”
Kelly Grey waved it off, “It’s not your fault. The path to freedom is always difficult.”
“Yes, indeed!” Martin sighed, “We didn’t provoke anyone, yet these stubborn lunatics actively attacked us.”
Rachel returned from the porch. “APD has the situation under control, Kelly. Do you want to step outside and manage things?”
The thought of going outside filled Kelly Grey with dread.
But she couldn’t voice her reluctance. With Rachel and several junior members present, abandoning her colleagues would undermine her leadership.
Kelly Grey simmered with annoyance, unsure if Rachel was intentionally goading her.
Martin, ever observant, sensed the tension and spoke up, “I suggest you stay here. The recent conflict will likely result in many of your people being detained by APD. You’re the backbone—if you get held, who will organize their release?”
These words, coming from an outsider, held a weight Kelly Grey’s own would not.
One of the others who had accompanied Rachel to the porch immediately chimed in, “Yes, several people were detained by APD. We can’t let them spend the night in jail.”
Kelly Grey’s eyes met Martin’s, a new appreciation forming. “Does the club have a back door?”
Martin nodded, “Yes, it opens into a quiet alley.”
Kelly Grey pulled out her phone and made a call, “I’m at the Beast’s Den on West Street. Send two cars to the back door.”
Rachel remained silent.
Weighing the night’s events, Kelly Grey rose and moved to a more secluded area, nodding for Martin to follow. “Let’s have a private word.”
Martin followed her to the other side of the stage.
“What’s your name? Are you in charge here?” Kelly Grey asked.
“Martin Davis. Just call me Martin.”
“Alright, Martin. Tonight’s incident will have significant repercussions.” Kelly Grey’s tone shifted to one of strategy. “The media will want interviews. Do you know what to say?”
Martin, with resolute clarity, replied, “You acted in defense of the Beast’s Den, in defense of the innocent. You stood up to protect the club, and when forced, you defended yourselves.”
He emphasized, “You are the heroes!”
Kelly Grey, now fully composed, responded, “Excellent. Remember your stance.”
Martin didn’t hesitate, “I’ve always been on your side.”
Kelly Grey considered his importance, handing him a business card. “My name is Kelly Grey.”
She added, “Before any media interviews, inform me. I’ll have someone assist you.”
Martin asked, “What if the reporters arrive tonight?”
“I’ll arrange for someone as quickly as possible,” Kelly Grey replied.
Soon after, the vehicles arrived at the club’s back door. Martin and Bruce escorted Kelly Grey and her group to the cars.
Once they were alone, Bruce said, “I’ve underestimated you. You’ve really mastered the old ‘hero saving the damsel’ routine.”
Martin shrugged, “Old tricks are classic for a reason—they work.”
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