Chapter 17: Does He Even Realize How Serious This Is?

Eliana left the private room to grab a bottle of water. Suddenly, someone tapped her shoulder. "Lena, is the news about your engagement fake? Did you make it up because you were embarrassed about breaking up with Jeremy?" The man smelled strongly of alcohol. Eliana pushed him away and recognized him as Stuart Dennel, a classmate who had been pursuing her for four years. His cheeks were flushed, clearly intoxicated. Eliana couldn't be bothered to explain to the drunkard. "You're drunk. Let me call someone to take you home." As she reached for her phone, he grabbed her wrist. "Lena, I don't mind that you're secondhand. Just promise to marry me, and I'll give you three villas and my bank cards..." Before he could finish, he was kicked in the waist, sending him flying three meters away, followed by a loud thud. Stuart collapsed on the floor, clutching his waist and crying out in pain. "My back, it hurts!" As Eliana came to her senses, she saw Chase had appeared out of nowhere. She frowned slightly. "Could you stop being so rough every time?" Medical bills for injuring someone weren't cheap! Chase's stare stayed chill. "If you're gonna make a move, make sure they can't hit back. That's how you play the game. And don't worry, the lesson is free." With that, he tugged Eliana toward the exit. Stuart hollered after them, "You two ain't off the hook! This ain't done!" Once they were outside, Eliana rubbed her temples, sensing a headache creeping in. "You're so impulsive. Do you even know who that guy was?" "I don't give a damn who he is," Chase replied, icy. Eliana was near boiling. Did he grasp the gravity of this situation at all? "His family's got some pull. They made their cash in some shady biz. With his short fuse, he'll definitely come back swinging at you!" Eliana warned. Chase stayed unmoved. "Then let him come." Eliana was beyond frustrated, tempted to sock his cocky face. "You think this is some kind of brawl? It's like you're out for blood!" Chase's heart stirred. He didn't know what got into him just then; he just felt rage seeing someone lay a hand on Eliana, wanting to crush them. Someone sauntered out from inside and shot a glance Eliana's way as they passed the door. Chase felt an inexplicable irritation, so he shrugged off his coat and draped it over her shoulders. "When I strike, someone's gotta go down. That's how I roll." Eliana's mind was spinning with how to deal with the fallout from Stuart's potential retaliation, and his words in that moment only stoked the flames. "Reckless and impulsive, and now trying to justify it?" Eliana felt overwhelmed. Did he even grasp who Stuart really was? He was the sole heir of the Dennel clan. Back in their college days, a scuffle broke out, and someone accidentally nicked his skin. In retaliation, his family busted five of the other guy's ribs! Chase had just snapped Stuart's spine. Once the Dennel crew caught wind, they'd be out for payback! "In your eyes, everything I do is reckless. They were already getting physical. Was I wrong to stand up for myself?" Chase had never stuck his neck out for anyone before. He lent a hand, but she wasn't grateful. It was like getting burned after trying to lend a hand! Eliana was speechless, feeling the terror of having guts without brains. Did he think every problem in the world could be solved with fists? Chase flagged down a cab. "Get in," he ordered. Eliana figured standing around wouldn't fix squat. It'd be smarter to head home first. As soon as she settled into the car, she heard the door click shut, but Chase didn't hop in. He leaned against the window, jotting down the driver's ID number, then left his card on the seat before giving the address. "Once she's safe, call me. I'll cover double the fare." Eliana looked at him puzzled. "Aren't you coming?" "This ain't your problem. If I gotta settle scores, I'll handle it. Let's roll," Chase told the driver before striding off into the hotel. "Hey, wait..." Eliana started to ask, but before she could finish, the cab peeled away. What was he up to? Was he going back to stir up trouble with Stuart? It was just a tap on the shoulder. If he'd thrown a punch somewhere less crucial, it wouldn't be such a big deal, but kicking someone's spine was downright brutal. Eliana made it back to her apartment. After a shower, it was already eleven, and Chase still hadn't shown up. She quickly checked the group chat messages and learned that Stuart had been beaten up and was in the hospital. Lyn also rang, all eager for the juicy gossip. "Heard Stuart was harassing some guy's girl and got knocked around. I'm dying to know who the brave soul is. He's gotta be a looker!" "Don't you think it's rash? Aren't you worried about ticking off dangerous folks?" Eliana sighed, resigned. Lyn huffed, "Real men don't shy away from a scrap!" After a few more exchanges, Eliana ended the call. She was different from her classmates. They had clout and could act without thinking twice, but she couldn't. She had no one to back her up, nor anyone to help clean up the mess after a reckless move. Her heart had raced when Chase stepped in earlier. After much internal debate, Eliana decided to ring Chase. She hesitated for ages before dialing, but either he was on another call or simply didn't pick up. Why wouldn't he even answer after saying a few words? He was really putting on airs! Eliana tossed her phone onto the bedside table. If he wasn't going to respond, then fine. She'd be better off flying solo. The next day, after Eliana got dressed and slipped into some casual threads, she tied up her hair, dabbed on a bit of makeup, and headed out. After checking the group chat messages, she found out which hospital and room Stuart was in. She snagged a box of herbal tea before making her way over for a visit. It was called a visit, but it felt more like offering condolences since she was the one who caused it. In the hospital room, Stuart lay on the bed, his waist swathed in bandages and a hefty cast. Despite his condition, he still had the energy to shoot some flirty banter at the nurse adjusting his IV. When he caught sight of Eliana stepping in, Stuart's expression instantly soured, replaced by a sinister glint in his eyes. "Lena, you finally decided to show up. Thanks to you, I'll be stuck in this bed for half a year!" Stuart quipped, dripping with sarcasm. Eliana entered, plastering on a strained smile. "You're usually so active. Look at this as a chance to kick back and relax." "I keep my personal and public beef separate. Your boy laid into me last night, and I'm only holding him accountable," Stuart recalled the showdown from the night before, his face flushing with fury. "If you hadn't laid a hand on me first, he wouldn't have taken a swing at you," Eliana shot back, her expression turning stern. "What you did wasn't cool either. Take this herbal tea, and I'll toss in another five grand as compensation. Let's call it square." "Keep dreaming! You think you can brush me off with a few bucks? You're standing up for him, aren't you? Fine, I'll throw you a bone!" Stuart's menacing demeanor shifted to something sly as his gaze lingered on the curve of Eliana's chest. "You keep me company for a month, and we'll call it even. Otherwise, I'll make sure your boy spends the rest of his days in a wheelchair!" Anger surged through Eliana. She'd expected some pushback coming in, but she hadn't anticipated him being this shameless, this brazen! Just then, Stuart's phone chimed. "Master Stuart, the guy who took a swing at you last night has been nabbed. What's your play?"