"Oh? Brave." Jack clapped his hands and laughed out loud. "Don't overestimate yourself."

While he was talking, he steadily walked toward Clarence and positioned himself like a boxer ready to attack.

They were just two meters away from each other but no one dared to initiate a strike. Jack was careful as he saw his opponent just stood still with hands at his sides with firm confidence on his face. He thought this guy was totally knowledgeable on different fighting styles. His info was totally lacking and they were in a risky state.

While they were on a standstill, the man called Rudy slowly got up and took a small knife from his belt. Jack saw this and tried to get Clarence's attention.

"What else do you know, kid? Cooking, karate, what else?"

Clarence remained silent as he saw Jack's eyes moved slightly to his left. Instincts led him to s.h.i.+ft his body to the opposite side of his opponent's eye movement. Indeed, the thrust knife missed his side. After s.h.i.+fting, Clarence instantly sent another kick bas.h.i.+ng Rudy back to the wall. A heavy 'thud' was heard. The latter's face was pale and blood spurted out from his mouth. This time, there were no movements, his eyes just remained close as he laid on the ground.

This angered Jack and ready to explode but a male voice interrupted, "Let me handle this." Before he knew it, a big fist hit his jaw and he felt dizzy as his legs lost its strength and wobbled. He tried to find his footing as he staggered backward. At the same time, he tasted iron in his mouth and spat out blood.

"Who are you, people?" A suffocating anger filled his chest and thought of pulling a gun but held back. He was still sane to understand they're in a dire situation. He was the only one able on his side while his two men were injured, possibly in danger if not rushed to the hospital. However, his opponents were two and perchance have guns as well.

"Who are you? Why are you stalking Miss Beauty?" asked Richard ready with another punch and remained calmed.

"I'm stalking no one. I only want my men back. Where are they?"

"I have them. If you want them back then cooperate with us."

"What if I don't?"

"Jail is waiting for you."

"What case do you have against me? I can deny them all in front of the judge. Even the judges are fearful of my existence." He said this proudly.

"The CCTV in this area got the whole thing from start to finish."

Jack was dumbfounded realizing his carelessness. He should have thought of this. However, he was trapped by his overconfidence. He could get away with anything, but strong and clear evidence. He really regretted not bringing a lot of his men and for not being cautious. He was also anxious, no time to spare. He needed to rush this injured two to get proper medical attention while he hadn't found the other two.

"What cooperation do you want?"

"Simple, testify against Miss Cathy."

"I can't do that. Ask something else and I might cooperate."

"You have no choice." This time Clarence spoke.

"Let's make a bargain… I can make her come and help get her confession in front of the CCTV and hand my men back. Don't think I'll retaliate. I won't. I have no reason to chase you. This is just a paid job. I just want my man back. Period."

"How can we trust you?" asked Clarence.

"I can't blame you for not trusting me but I'm sure my word is true when I promised. If you want, save the video footage. I care less. Just give me my men back."

Clarence and Richard looked at each other. Silence.

"Fine, call her now," spoke Clarence.

. . . . .

Cathy heard a knock. Through the peephole, she saw Jack standing sideways preventing her from seeing his swollen face. A note slipped under the door: 'You better come. Urgent. Same place, 9 pm.' As she peeped again, Jack had left.

She was reluctant to go but was unsettled on what the urgency all about. Along the way, Jack met her.

"Let's go somewhere, it's not safe here, people might hear us." He was wearing a hood on his head and brought her further to a secluded place with lesser light. He stood under a tree hiding his face from the lights.

"You almost got me killed, do you know that?" started Jack.

"What? What are you blabbering about?"

"I don't wanna work with you anymore. Why do you really want to hurt that girl?"

"What are you starting this time?"

"Why do you really want to hurt that girl named Beauty?" He intentionally emphasized the name clearly.

"That's none of your business. I paid you so you'll keep your word but until now there's no progress at all. She's still walking peacefully and winning. If you have nothing else to say then I'll go back now." She felt uneasy talking with him in such a secluded place, most of all after she heard the name.

He pulled her hand. "If you won't tell me then you have to compensate me." He partly opened the hood to show his swollen face.

She stared at his black bluish bruised face and got scared. "Let go."

"I won't, you have to tell me first. If not then…"

"Let go, or I'll shout."

He whispered to her ear. "Cathy, I'm out and don't ever come back to my club again."

"What? What out?"

"Settle your problem by yourself. My men and I got beaten so that cash was simply a compensation. Bye." He let go and left hurriedly.

"What the…? How could you? I PAID YOU 50K IN COLD CASH AND NOW YOU'RE SCRAMMING AWAY?" She shouted as she kicked the tree out of anger and hurt herself. "Ouch!" The pain was more on her ego than on her foot.

. . . . .

Richard zoomed the video focus on Cathy. He made sure the footage's video and audio caught her every statement with clarity.