The Guardian

Chapter 13

Allison Dwight, standing a petite five foot four, possessed a captivating aura that defied her small stature. Her short, curly hair, a cascade of dark waves, extended effortlessly below her shoulders, framing a face that radiated warmth and intelligence. Her slender frame, devoid of any discernible curves, was a testament to her active lifestyle and healthy habits.

She moved with an effortless grace, her limbs seemingly weightless as she navigated the world with quiet faith. Her overall appearance was one of understated elegance, a subtle charm that drew people in and made them feel comfortable in her presence. Though small in stature, Allison's personality filled any room she entered, leaving a lasting impression on those fortunate enough to know her.

Allison's eyes sparkled with curious intelligence, always eager to learn and engage with the world around her. Her genuine smile, paired with a quick wit, made her a joy to be around and a friend to many. She was the total opposite of Katarine , who exuded confidence and boldness in every step she took. Despite their differences, Allison and Katarine formed an unlikely friendship based on mutual respect and admiration for each other's unique qualities.

While Katarine held Allison's hand as they tried their best to communicate inside the most highly noisy location, Katarine wanted to take her friends into a more quiet and peaceful setting where they could truly talk and share their thoughts without distraction. Allison appreciated Katarine's thoughtfulness, but even before they could move, Howard came between them and once again effortlessly weaseling his way into their conversation, diverting their attention and disrupting the moment of connection.

As Howard's manipulative ways were a constant hindrance to Katarine, she clearly saw how he was using her naive friend Allison, Despite her frustration with Howard's behavior, Allison struggled to find a way to address the situation without causing conflict. Katarine knew she needed to have a conversation with her friend about setting boundaries with Howard in order to protect their friendship.

Howard Miller, standing a statuesque five feet seven, commanded attention with an air of self-assured arrogance. His slicked-back hair, gleaming with a sheen of oil, seemed to radiate an aura of superiority. Every strand was perfectly in place, a testament to his meticulous grooming routine. His attire was a symphony of expensive fabrics and sharp tailoring, each piece meticulously chosen to project an image of wealth and power. His movements were deliberate, his gaze fixed on the horizon with unyielding intensity, as if he held the world in his grasp.

One couldn't help but notice the subtle smirk playing on his lips, a hint of amusement at the mere mortals who dared to share his space. His presence was undeniable, and those around him couldn't help but feel a sense of irritation and discomfort in his presence. It was clear that he was a man who wanted attention wherever he went, exuding an air of arrogance and false superiorityty that was impossible to ignore.

Katarine stared at Howard while he was holding a bottle of Romanée-Conti and dancing as the club was playing dance tunes., He was obviously luring Allison away from her again as he handed the Romanée-Conti to her and told her to drink, all while maintaining a smug smile on his face. It was evident that Howard's intentions were not pure, and Katarine could sense trouble brewing in the air.

Suddenly Howard grabbed his girlfriend's arm and started to dance, continuously saying

"This is my jam, Babe! Dance with me."

"Wait, Howard, I am talking to Katarine."

"You can do that letter; come on dance with me."

Katarine watched with growing unease as her long-time friend, Howard, displayed an alarming infatuation with Allison, a timid and introverted woman. Katarine knew all too well the signs of manipulation, and she couldn't shake the feeling that Allison was being taken advantage of. The kisses and public displays of intimacy were a charade, a calculated attempt by Howard to gain Allison's trust and control. Katarine had tried to intervene before, but each time, Howard would dismiss her concerns with a seductive kiss or a manipulative display of affection towards Allison. The situation had escalated to the point where Katarine feared for Allison's well-being. She couldn't stand by and watch as her friend was exploited and hurt. Determined to break Howard's hold over Allison, Katarine resolved to confront him head-on, no matter the consequences.

When the sudden shift and movements of the people inside the club caught her eye, Katarine smelled a foul odor that was reminiscent of vagrants leaving the streets. This particular group forced their way inside, and the security wasn't even stopping them. Katarine's heart raced as she made her way through the crowd, and her mind focused on finding Lush Coco, who was nowhere to be seen. She knew the risk of coming here, and even if something was wrong, she wasn't concerned about her safety but the safety of those around her.

Within a few seconds , the looming treat that was planned against her will definitely backfire a hundredfold and might even end up killing a lot of people in the process. Club Phantom, an exclusive nightclub, was meticulously designed to provide an unparalleled nightlife experience. Its dance floor, a centerpiece of the club's allure, boasts an impressive capacity of 100 patrons, ensuring ample space for guests to move freely and immerse themselves in the electrifying rhythms.

This expansive dance floor is complemented by an array of plush VIP rooms, each adorned with its own distinct ambiance and amenities. These private sanctuaries offer guests an elevated level of comfort and exclusivity, allowing them to enjoy the club's vibrant atmosphere while indulging in personalized service and premium libations. With its focus on creating an unforgettable party experience, Club Phantom stands as a beacon of nightlife excellence, catering to the discerning tastes of those seeking an unforgettable night filled with dancing, music, and the exhilaration of the club scene, which might become their tomb.

Many vagrants were seen entering the place as the guests started to get pestered by their dirty and smelly presence, causing a disturbance in the otherwise luxurious and exclusive ambiance. The club's security team never intervened to ensure the comfort and safety of all guests, as if they were ordered to turn a blind eye to the situation, leaving many patrons feeling uneasy and disappointed in the lack of attention to their well-being.

This negligence ultimately made Ethan get out of the car and walk toward the club entrance. As soon as he saw a few scrupulous men entering, the smell of blood was overwhelming, making him realize that something sinister was happening inside. Ethan never hesitated, not even for a moment, and followed inside as the patrons were walking in a fast phase to exit the establishment.

Ethan saw Lush Coco run right past him; without Katarine, the atmosphere of the place had changed as more guests were running out. Ethan's heart raced as he pushed through the crowd, determined to find out what was going on. The urgency in the air was apparent, and he knew he had to act fast. As soon as Ethan reached the club receiving area , he saw a group of people gathered around something on the floor. Without hesitation, he pushed his way through to see what had caused the commotion. The sight that met his eyes made his blood run cold.

With tears flowing down her face and bruises all over her arms, Katarine was kneeling in a protective position. Realizing that something horrible had to have happened to her, Ethan's mind raced,, trying to piece together what had happened. He kneeled down next to her and inquired politely about what had transpired and how he might assist.

Those who were there to hurt them just smiled and constantly taunted them, making it clear that they were not going to let them leave without a fight. Ethan told Katarine he is their to help, as she looked up, Ethan saw the sadness in her eyes, and she was trembling and her body was burning up, Ethan was furious the fact these people were all targeting her many rich individuals who were still inside the club were all just watching this unfold with no concern whatsoever , Katarine whispered,

"I don't know why they're after me."

Ethan reassured her,

"We'll figure this out later." Despite the chaos,

Ethan remained determined to protect Katarine from any harm.

"Don't move, ok?"

"Just close your eyes and let me help you, ok?"

Katarine just remained in her position and uttered the word, Don't let them touch me,

"I don't want to hurt them!",

A handful of powder-high vagrants, filled with deranged energy, broke ranks and came charging right at Katarine from behind. Time seemed to slow down as Ethan faced a split-second decision. As the vagrants closed in, he spotted something peculiar: they were carrying paper bags that appeared to conceal bottles of alcohol. The realization struck him that these vagrants were not mere nuisances but a potentially dangerous threat.

This wasn't about a simple misunderstanding or miscommunication; this was a situation that required immediate action; force was needed and violence was the only answer; a life was in imminent danger. Ethan braced himself, knowing he had to

"I was hoping not to resort to violence.,"

Ethan created a wall to protect Katarine; his distance was far enough that he could quickly encircle her from all possible angles. Each step was calculated and deliberate, his heart pounding with adrenaline as he gave the attackers small compact right jabs in the solar plexus, followed by an overhand left punch. And he steps sideways to engage the other attacker with a circular back kick and a swift elbow strike to the temple. As the onlookers saw what this unknown man was doing, they were shocked.

But to Ethan this wasn't the time to lower his guard, because what he just did has started an all out brawl, and he needed to be prepared for anything that might come his way. With his father's daily training in full gear, the other vagrants and hired thugs saw this and just ramdomly attacked him. He became an impenetrable fortress amidst the chaos. The vagrants and hired thugs, sensing his unwavering resolve, hurled themselves at him with reckless abandon. But Ethan was unyielding, his movements precise and calculated. Every strike and every parry was a testament to his unwavering spirit. Despite the overwhelming odds, he stood his ground.

Bodies were dropping left and right, and the branded clothing he was wearing was now tattered and stained with small drips of blood from the attackers. He was lowering his stand to gain enough leverage to launch a counterattack. His eyes were now focused on those who he knew were forced into this situation; the reason for now was pointless to understand. Katarine was still in a squatting position and she could see the hired driver's back as he fought back against the attackers. She was still, she wasn't even bugging nor scared for her life. The he open dance floor of the club was still slightly illuminated, and Katarine's eyes were actually looking at the perpetrator of this planned incident. Among the VIPs who were watching this were all located on the second floor, wondering if any of them were involved in the attack. The music continued to blare, drowning out any sounds of struggle or distress.

She didn't even question how a mere hired driver was this good at fighting, but she was looking for the person who wanted this to happen, and right at the very center facing the DJ stage, standing behind the club upper safety railing, Katarine saw an Asian woman who was looking intently at her and had an annoying smile on her face.

"It's her; she's the one who orchestrated this. That sinister smile is a dead give-away. "

Katarine knew she had found the mastermind behind the attack because she knew nobody in the city would be that stupid to do this without a good backer, especially her, who was known socially to be a provocateur. But on the contrary, she was just the recipient of many social disparities and was often blamed for things she didn't do.

This particular unknown Asian woman must have had a reputation for causing trouble to her own credit because she was foolish enough to bark at the wrong tree, and Katarine knew she had to confront her before things escalated further. She was still hoping that her emotions wouldn't go out of control. The hired driver was a big help; he can do it at the very right moment. The small bruises on her arm weren't a big issue at all. Katarine was more concerned about the potential damage and death her other side could do.

Katarine gave a deep sigh and finally stood up. She was not about to yield to her emotions; she screamed at the top of her lungs and cursed those who were watching this spectacle unfold. The driver was continuously fumbling, turned around, and saw Katarine pointing at a person and making a handgun gesture.

"I found you little bird!"

"Wait for me; I'll be coming up."

"You, my driver, get me up there, and I will pay you double what Mr. Ross offered you.,"

"That little bird needs some scolding, and I intend to be the one to give it to her."

The driver, who was Ethan, nodded in agreement, feeling a sense of duty to assist Katarine in this situation. As they sped towards the person Katarine was targeting, Ethan couldn't help but wonder what had led to this moment of confrontation. Despite his curiosity, he knew his priority was to ensure Katarine's safety and assist her in whatever way she needed.

Like a charging bull those who stood in front of them fell to the ground unconsciously until they were able to reach the stairs leading up to the VIP lounge. The thug who instigated the vagrants to attack, was still waiting for a mist in the dark corners of the club. The mask driver was a factor they never expected. One thug called the one who asked for their aid assistance,

Among the five guys that Kǎi sè lín Zhang approached, he was still reluctantly sexually assaulting the hostess. In the VIP rooms, seated behind him was Kǎi sè lín Zhang, who was overseeing the entertainment. As his phone rang he gave the woman lying on the club sofa half naked. As she continuously screamed for help as the man was chocking her and telling her to shut up, he took out his phone and accepted the call while he still continued to ram his manhood forcibly into the hostess womanhood by force,

The caller who was the subleader of the hired thugs could hear the woman moan and scream in pain. She was begging and telling the man to stop, she was openly saying she wasn't a hooker, but the man ignored her pleas and continued his assault her body. The subleader on the phone was on loud speaker, asked concerning what to do with the bodyguard protecting the target.,

The one on the other side the man was roughly moving his hips up and down, his sweat was dripping from his head toward the woman's face, the man who was still raping the hostess just casually place his phone on the woman's exposed chest, and just giving her a slap so she would close her mouth and stop screaming, and told the thug to just stab the guard, and just telling them, he really doesn't not care at all , 

"Do whatever you want, and I will send the payment later ok. After a rip this whore,"

"Alright boss,"