The matchup between Ye Chen and Covington showcased a different dynamic than the clash involving Kitty and Connor. At that time, Connor enjoyed considerable popularity, but he found himself bested by the tenacious Little Eagle. In the aftermath of that bout, Kitty took the initiative, demanding a confrontation that transformed into chaos—a scene reminiscent of what transpired today. However, a crucial difference remained: that previous encounter was virtually on Connor's home turf. Hence, when Little Eagle was escorted away, many fans took to throwing objects at him in a show of revenge for Connor's defeat.
In stark contrast, the crowd today predominantly rallied behind Ye Chen. He was not the instigator of the latest fray, which led to a different reception; rather than facing backlash, he left the scene unscathed, buoyed by cheers that resonated with affirmations of "Well played." Upon returning to the backstage area, the staff departed, leaving behind two individuals who hovered like unwavering private bodyguards.
"How are you feeling? Did you get hit here? It looks red and swollen," Catwoman inquired, her delicate fingers gently tracing the bruise on Ye Chen's face. Ye Chen shrugged, attempting to downplay the injury. "It's nothing serious, just a minor bump."
He wanted to reassure Catwoman, who seemed to be quite anxious about the situation. To ease her worry, he took her hand and deliberately pressed on the swollen area, grinning as he said, "See? I told you it's fine. Just look at me!" The playful jest seemed to lighten her mood, and her tension eased slightly.
Just then, a thought struck her, and as she rummaged through her bag to unlock her phone, she remarked, "I recorded everything just now. That footage will surely come in handy for number 203 later on." Ye Chen took the phone, responding with a chuckle, "I didn't realize you were not just a pretty face, but also quite the strategist."
While it wasn't strictly necessary for Catwoman to capture the moment on film, given that numerous spectators and official cameras were also documenting the chaos, her foresight was surprisingly commendable. The nuances captured in different recordings could have varying effects, and this particular video might prove invaluable down the line.
As Catwoman rewatched the footage, her expression morphed into one of indignation. "Those people deserve to face consequences—arrested and banned from this sport. They have absolutely no sportsmanship."
Ye Chen solemnly nodded. "I fear that I could even be facing a suspension myself." He turned his gaze to the television screen, which had cut away from the live broadcast. Outside, chaos still reigned, and he couldn't help but wonder how Dana would navigate the situation.
"You will be fine. It's all self-defense," Catwoman replied, puzzled by the prospects of their circumstances. Meanwhile, across the venue, Covington and several of his team members regained consciousness. They lay in a medical room, unable to move freely due to a couple of towering guards keeping a watchful eye on them.
Covington, undoubtedly in severe pain, was treated by a field doctor while groaning on the hospital bed. Simultaneously, the head coach held a bag of ice against Covington's injured cheek, where Ye Chen had landed a punishing kick. "Sue him! You absolutely must sue him. This Daxia fighter is a madman—he took us all down!" he shouted in anger.
"It's unreal! This kid is a cheat. He suddenly shifted his boxing stance on me. I thought we were boxing, but then he kicked out of nowhere. If it had been a straight fight, I would have shown him who's boss," grumbled the boxing coach, clearly frustrated.
"Are you seriously still talking?" one of the burly men with a golden beard interjected, only to grimace at his own insensitivity when the pressure on his wounds intensified. He had suffered a brutal fate, sustaining a broken nose and gaping skin wounds from Ye Chen's uppercut.
"It's disgraceful. We've all been knocked out by a Daxia man. This is an utter humiliation!" the bearded giant lamented. Known as a local tough guy with clout among street gangsters, he had taken the lead in the charge against Ye Chen, emboldened by his ego. The other teammates had followed suit, but little did they know they'd face such dire consequences.
The wrestling coach scoffed at his comrades. "I can't believe you guys couldn't manage a decent defense! You brag so much about your skills, and yet you let Ye Chen slip through your fingers."
The boxing coach shot back, "I didn't even get a chance! You claim to be this unbeatable wrestler, and yet he had you on the ropes too!"
In the background, the site staff and medical crew overheard the bickering and couldn't help but snicker at the unfolding drama as cries of frustration filled the air.
Suddenly, the head coach slammed his hand down on the table, interrupting the argument with a resounding clap. "What are you all laughing at? I'm trying to figure out how we can turn this around! If we're not injured, we can't make Ye Chen pay!"
He continued, "Think of the financial implications! Look at how much he and his lady make. If we play this right, we could secure a hefty payout!" He then pulled out his phone and insisted, "Someone take a picture of my injury. We need documentation—we'll track this for our records."
The others perked up at the mention of potential profits. It seemed all their thoughts immediately shifted to the bottom line. Despite the adversity they faced, it was now all about turning the tide for monetary gain—especially in light of the injuries they had suffered.
"Can we even file charges? Vincent initiated the brawl; can we argue we were defending ourselves?" the wrestling coach questioned, uncertainty creeping in.
But before he could finish, the bearded man slapped his thigh in frustration, causing him to wince again.
The head coach reassured them, "It doesn't matter. Laws can be tricky, but we'll file the lawsuit if we can. Wealthy athletes like Ye Chen will want to avoid long litigations. If we play our cards right, they might just cut us a check to settle quickly."
A spark of intrigue ignited among them, and they nodded in agreement. As for Covington, who lay in considerable discomfort, he became a mere footnote in their emerging plot.
Meanwhile, on the other side, Dana was locked in a meeting. "Here's the plan: we'll handle this tonight. No leaks. Tomorrow, our public relations team will draft a statement, and I'll ensure we manage the narrative." He paused, then added gravely, "We'll conduct a press conference featuring both Ye Chen and Covington. It's crucial we protect Ye Chen—he must return unscathed, and he should avoid all media contacts until then."
Dana's stress levels peaked, especially when considering the negative headlines already caused by another recent concern. Just today, an alarming video of him and his wife engaging in a public spat had surfaced, and now this latest incident only compounded his worries.