The Story

"My name is Lena and I'm from Bulgaria. I came to the United States three years ago on a student visa with the hopes of landing a decent job. Unfortunately, reality has been quite harsh on me, and I ended up becoming a prostitute, the cheapest kind you'd find in shady underground bars. 

"Believe me, this wasn't my dream job, but I really had no choice. Who would willingly throw away their own dignity? Who doesn't want a bright future to look forward to? You could never imagine the things I've been through and trust me, it's tens and thousands of times worse than walking through hell. 

"The Potaski brothers seized my passport which reduced me to an illegal immigrant, and not only do they constantly cut my pay, but I have to endure all kinds of abuse. I had lost all hope in life and have always been dreaming of someone saving me from this misery. Even if it was a cop and it means that I get deported back to my home country, I'd take that. I already regret my decision to ever moving to the United States. 

"Unfortunately, reality kicked my hopes in the face and I had to live with oppression for almost three years now. Even just a few hours ago, I was being punished by the Potaski brothers over twenty-five dollars. In fact, they wanted to slit my throat with a knife just to remind others to never cross them in the future. 

"I completely gave up on trying to defend myself. I really did. I figured death might just be preferable over this life of misery, but just as I was in danger, this kid named Victor Hugo rescued me. He told the Potaski brothers that there were police officers nearby and scared them away." 

As Lena told her story, she could no longer hold back the overwhelming emotions that filled her chest. Tears rolled down her cheeks as the Lawrence family looked on quietly and listened to her every word. 

Even Angie, who had tilted her head away in annoyance, turned around in shock, fear, and anxiety in her eyes. The suffering Lena had gone through waa indeed unimaginable. 

Lena continued, "At first, I was only temporarily exempted from imminent danger. The fact is, my life hasn't changed and I still don't have money, and on top of that, I'm an unregistered immigrant. Regardless, I would have to return to Cat's Claw Bar sooner or later to make ends meet. 

"To express my gratitude, I offered to sleep with Victor free of charge but he rejected my offer. Instead, he proposed an extremely bold plan, one that I found completely wild and unrealistic—to steal the Potaski brother's secret stash of cash. 

"When I first heard the idea, I told Victor he was crazy. Does he have any idea how cruel and ruthless the Potaski brothers are? Stealing their money would be a suicide mission! However, I regretted my choice the moment I rejected his idea. 

"What was there for me to be afraid of? My life is a bleak void, and it's not going to get better after I return to Cat's Claw Bar, so why shouldn't I give it a try? After all, I have nothing to lose! If I fail, I'll just die. 

"So I drove Victor to Cat's Claw Bar and waited for the Potaski brothers to leave the bar before we snuck in. Everything went according to plan, save for the incident of us bumping into this young lady called Angie." 

At this point, Angie tentatively stepped forward and said meekly to Lena, "Oh my God... So Victor rescued you and helped you steal back money from the two crooks? I thought he was just trying to snatch a dirty deal with you." 

Lena gave her a smile before replying. "I wouldn't have minded but Victor did refuse my offer, and I'm sure you know the story after that. Victor tried to get you to leave the bar but not only did you stay, someone drugged you and moved you into a room. 

"When Victor ran back to save you, I thought he was crazy. The Potaski brothers were just about to return so we didn't have a second to lose, but if Victor hadn't insisted on going back for you, well, your night probably wouldn't have ended so well. 

"To be honest, I'm envious of you. I don't think I'm inferior to you in any way. I'm as pretty as you, just as smart as you, and we both have self-confidence. But when I was hurt by the Potaski brothers, nobody stepped up to save me. That's why the person you see before you is a dirty, despicable girl who betrayed herself in darkness." 

"I… I… I'm sorry I misunderstood you, I truly am." Clearly, Lena's words had shaken Angie greatly and she was completely bewildered. She turned to Zhou Qingfeng with a troubled expression and said, "Victor, can you forgive me? I shouldn't have said those bad things to you earlier." 

"Well, I am quite angry... but if you give me a hug, I'll consider forgiving you." Zhou Qingfeng said with a stern expression at first, but it was quickly replaced with a bright smile as he opened his arms toward Angie. 

Angie was a 15-year-old girl, so she was quite clear on whom she liked and whom she disliked. Right then, she was filled with immense guilt, and so she quickly threw herself into Zhou Qingfeng's arms and gave him a big hug. 

When Rachel Connor heard the first half of Lena's story, her heart ached for the poor girl, but when she heard that her daughter had almost been taken advantage of, she was furious. Finally, when she heard of how Zhou Qingfeng had risked himself to save her precious daughter despite the danger, she was nearly touched to tears. 

The mother stepped forward and clutched her daughter in her arms, an embrace that encompassed Zhou Qingfeng as well. "Thank you, Victor. You acted like a hero, an amazing hero! I don't even know how to thank you!" she said gratefully. 

"Angie's my friend, it's only natural that I'd help her if she's in danger," Zhou Qingfeng replied with a smile. At the same time, he wondered to himself, 'To be honest, I'm still in shock. I can't believe you see that my legs are shaking! You three are important to me—I need to ensure your safety to make sure that the plot doesn't get messed up!' 

David Lawrence felt slightly calmer now. He frowned and stepped forward to ask, "Victor, how did you know where the Potaski brothers hid their money?" 

"I bumped into that pair of foul brothers once and overheard them talking," Zhou Qingfeng unblinkingly made an excuse. 

"So you risked your life to steal money from those two burly gangsters? Don't you know either one of them could easily kill you with a flick of his finger?" David Lawrence was still in disbelief, struggling to grasp the inconceivable incident 

Zhou Qingfeng turned to glance at his scorched house, then exclaimed exasperatedly, "Do you think I like living in a place like this? Do you think I want to stay poor for the rest of my life? Have you ever stood at the edge of despair and felt so hopeless that you would risk everything for one last desperate struggle?" 

This was a rush of adrenaline triggered by desperation and hopelessness! 

David Lawrence had experiences on battlefields, and he was instantly reminded of the various dangers he had encountered in the past. He could more or less understand Zhou Qingfeng's mindset and where the man was coming from. He gave a curt nod, acknowledging Zhou Qingfeng's reasoning. "You've landed yourself in a lot of trouble though, I'm sure the Potaski brothers won't let you go that easily." 

"It's not just the Potaski brothers now, I shot some guy called Cooper. I'm sure the police will be at my door at any moment." 

Zhou Qingfeng pulled out the Colt M1911A1 from his belt and said in a distressed tone, "I actually don't know how to use a gun. I was aiming for the man's head but I shot his shoulder instead, and after firing a few shots, my entire arm got sore as hell." 

The instant Lena heard the name "Cooper", she exclaimed loudly, "Victor, I think you've got more to deal with than just the Potaski brothers and the police. Cooper is Kogan's son, the owner of Cat Claw's Bar, and Kogan is the most powerful gang leader in this area." 

"No wonder that dude looks so swag!" Zhou Qingfeng said excitedly. He thought to himself, 'It seems like I'll have to leave temporarily. It would be troublesome if I get held up by a gang of mobsters.' 

David Lawrence said nothing more as he took the pistol from Zhou Qingfeng's hands. He unloaded the magazine and with a yank, letting the bullets fall out of the chamber. After inspecting the gun, he said, "This is a pretty decent gun but if you want to make good use of it, you'll need some complete training. 

"Victor, you saved my daughter and I can't just ignore your situation now. Although you are knee-deep in trouble, I suggest that you stay low for now at my friend's place. Perhaps she can teach you a thing or two in the meantime." 

"Who is it?" Zhou Qingfeng's heart suddenly thumped hard against his chest. In the process of saving the world, David Lawrence had recruited some of his friends and formed an unbeatable all-star team. 

Zhou Qingfeng was eager to join this group as well. After all, everyone in this group was a f*cking bad*ss! However, he was well aware that his own battle skills were dreadful, so under normal circumstances, he would only be a burden nobody wanted. 

"I have a couple of friends in New York, all great people. Catarina is a nice woman and she's one of the more welcoming ones. You can go over to her place and lay low for now. What do you think?" David Lawrence thought this was not a bad idea.

Catarina?

Zhou Qingfeng thought frantically, 'Wait a minute… I would much rather go to Old Man Baggins', even though that old man has his quirks. Even Minsk would do, although that madman only knows how to kill and pick fights. Actually, even Fernando would be good, though that pretentious b*stard is quite vicious with his words…'

'As for Catarina? Nice woman? My *ss! Like hell I'd go to her place! That woman is insane! I don't want to be with a crazy madwoman!'