Chapter 3

The pounding on the door was so loud that Elisa could hear it clearly through the phone. "Dr. Archer, are you in trouble? Let me come over and handle it for you." "No need," Kyle replied flatly before hanging up. Hearing the busy tone on the other end, Elisa's anger flared. She had worked so hard to convince Dr. Archer to save her father, and now someone dared to cause trouble at such a critical moment. "Find out who it is!" Elisa ordered, her voice cold and commanding. "Who dares provoke Dr. Archer? I want them gone—for good!" … Outside the door, the voice of Matthew, familiar yet foreign, rang out. Back in the day, Matthew had always clung to Kyle like a shadow. It had been six years since they last met, and hearing his voice again stirred a mix of emotions. Kyle opened the door with a faint smile. "Matt, you're here. Six years apart, and you've put on some weight, huh?" Matthew shoved Kyle aside and stormed into the room without hesitation. The small space quickly filled as Matthew's followers poured in after him, crowding the apartment. Matthew sneered. "Looks like you've been doing all right. Six years, and they couldn't beat you to death in there? "Cut the fake friendly act. Do you think I don't know who you are? You're not my brother-in-law anymore!" Kyle's gaze darkened. "Matt, yes, Belle and I got divorced, but that's between us. You weren't like this before. Who taught you to behave like this?" Kyle's words seemed to strike a nerve. Matthew's face twisted in anger. "Kyle Archer, shut up! Don't you dare talk about the past! There is no past! If you bring it up again, I'll kill you! "Don't act like you know me! You have no idea how ruthless I've become. I'm not the same Matthew Cotton I used to be. If you try to spread rumors about me, I'll make your life a living hell!" The truth was, Matthew's past haunted him. He had been bullied relentlessly in his youth, mocked for his poverty, and left feeling worthless. Back then, it had always been Kyle who stood up for him, shielding him from the torment. But now, as if to erase those memories, Matthew had transformed into someone he once feared—a bully himself. People, once they struck it rich, often forgot their roots, eager to prove to others how much they'd grown. Matthew just took it to an extreme. "Matthew, have you forgotten what I taught you when you were younger? Is this how I raised you to talk to people? Look at yourself, barging in here with all these people. What's your goal? To scare me? "You ignore the good lessons and pick up nothing but trouble. In the years I've been gone, you've become completely reckless. Yes, I divorced your sister, but that's no excuse for you to yell at me. I'm just here to get my things. Once I'm done, I'll leave. Goodbye." Kyle's disappointment was evident. He had once cared for Matthew, teaching him with patience and treating him like family. But seeing what he had become, Kyle felt it unnecessary to keep up any pretense of politeness. "Your things? Ha! There's nothing here that belongs to you. If you're smart, you'll leave right now, " Matthew snapped, his arrogance on full display. Kyle looked at him, eyes filled with disappointment. "Matt, I've told you before—people who think too highly of themselves usually don't end up well. "Control your temper. I'll pack up and be out of here soon. I won't take long." Because of his affection for Belle, Kyle had always doted on Matthew as well, treating him with patience and careful guidance. But seeing What Matthew had become now, Kyle couldn't help but feel disappointed. For the boy who used to follow him around, calling him "brother-in-law" every other sentence, Kyle's tolerance today was the greatest kindness he could offer. Matthew, however, turned red with anger, alternating between humiliation and rage as he realized Kyle wasn't taking him seriously at all. Here he was, the younger brother of Belle Cotton, CEO of a top company, and the protégé of Mike Clements, a powerful figure in Kerdonia’s underworld. Who in this city dared to disrespect him? "Kyle Archer, you're nothing but an ex-convict! How dare you act like you can lecture me?" Matthew spat. "Did those years in prison turn you into a fool? Do you even realize who I am now? My status is something you could never achieve in your lifetime. One call from me, and you're dead—do you believe that?" Pointing a finger at Kyle's face, Matthew seethed with fury. Kyle narrowed his eyes slightly and calmly raised his hand, grabbing Matthew's outstretched finger. "You… What are you—" Before Matthew could finish, Kyle gave his finger a quick twist. It wasn't much force, but the pain was enough to make Matthew scream in agony. "Aah!" In an instant, Matthew's arrogance vanished. He hunched over, his face contorted in pain. "Let go! Let go of me!" The sudden turn of events left Matthew's crew stunned. "Let him go, or I'll break your legs!" one of them threatened nervously. "Yeah, let go of him, or you're dead!" "Release him now!" Despite their loud threats, none of them dared to step forward. Matthew, half-kneeling on the ground and writhing in pain, roared at his crew, "What are you waiting for? Beat him! Kill him!" The teens exchanged uneasy glances, clearly hesitant. They were used to bullying weaker people, but facing someone as formidable as Kyle, they didn't dare make a move. "What are you standing around for? Beat this bastard to death!" Matthew shouted again, his voice desperate. At his command, they reluctantly charged at Kyle. Kyle, already simmering with pent-up anger, found this a perfect outlet. Still gripping Matthew's finger, Kyle dodged the first punch effortlessly with a tilt of his head and countered with a quick jab. With a crack, the attacker's nose broke instantly. The teen collapsed to the floor, clutching his face and wailing. Another boy with dyed yellow hair tried to kick Kyle, but Kyle simply turned and delivered a powerful counter-kick. The boy flew backward, landing on his knees. He clutched his stomach, unable to utter a word through the pain. Kyle's strength and speed made it clear—no matter how many of these teens came at him, they were no match. Watching this, Matthew was utterly dumbfounded. He had never seen Kyle fight before. He had always assumed Kyle was just a pushover—a meek man who wouldn't even raise his voice. But now, the man before seemed like a completely different person. Was this the same Kyle Archer who used to wear an apron and tirelessly try to make Belle happy? The Kyle Archer standing before him now was more like a ruthless, fearsome outlaw. "Kyle… Did you… Are you a different person?" Matthew stammered, still in shock. Kyle let out a laugh. "What, do you think this is a movie? "But you're not entirely wrong. I have been reborn." Betrayed so coldly by Belle, Kyle had made up his mind to change—to force everyone to see him in a new light. With that, Kyle raised his hand and slapped Matthew hard across the face. "This slap is to teach you what respect means," Kyle said coldly. Matthew's cheek burned, and his molars felt looser. Staring at Kyle's menacing expression, he couldn't help but feel a twinge of fear. But as the humiliation sank in, Matthew grew even angrier. The thought that he was scared of Kyle—an ex-convict—was unbearable. "Kyle Archer, how dare you hit me? Fine! Just you wait—I'll kill you for this!" Even now, Matthew dared to talk back. Kyle's voice turned icy. "Belle spoiled you too much, shielding you from the real world. She never let you face the consequences of your actions. "But today, I'll teach you what it means to be a man."