Chapter 480 Cheap Snacks and Expensive Car
"It's you who should get lost."
James didn't waste words as he charged forward, still carrying snacks for four.
"You're dead!" Seeing James rushing toward them and spoiling their plans, the five men flew into a rage, drawing weapons as they surrounded him.
James moved with effortless grace, slipping through their midst as if walking through empty space.
With each step he took, someone howled in pain; with each movement, another body flew backward. Moments later, all five lay sprawled on the ground, writhing in agony with blood seeping from their wrists and knees.
Terror filled the eyes of the trench-coated youth and his companions. James appeared frail, but his strikes were devastatingly precise, powerful, and impossibly fast. The difference in their abilities wasn't even comparable.
"Kid," the trench-coated man snarled, "do you know what happens to people who mess with the Glowing Oasis Five Tigers?"
James delivered a resounding slap that sent the man's teeth scattering across the ground. "Five Tigers? You? I think you misunderstand what tigers actually are." He landed another slap. "Even if you were tigers, I'd still crush you beneath my heel."
The trench-coated youth spat blood, his face a picture of misery. Unable to fight back, he could only try to salvage his pride. "Listen, we have powerful backers..."
James silenced him with a kick that sent him flying. "Get lost!"
The five men, despite their fury, clutched their wounds and fled in disgrace.
James approached the young woman and helped her to her feet. "Are you alright?"
The elegant woman relaxed against him, her body going limp with relief. "I'm fine. Thank you, thank you so much."
Still shaken, her body trembled uncontrollably, her skin repeatedly brushing against James as her sweet fragrance filled his senses.
The scent was intoxicating—soft, warm, and feminine—but James maintained his composure. Having witnessed the beauty of Mary and Olivia, other women's charms rarely affected him.
"I'm glad you're okay." He guided her to a nearby stone bench, then retrieved her handbag and phone. "You should call the police or your family."
The woman nodded, making a quick call before turning back to James. "My name is Hestia Sharp. I can't thank you enough for saving me. If you hadn't appeared, tonight would have been..." she shuddered. "I can't even imagine."
As her emotions stabilized, her delicate features took on a cooler, more composed expression. "May I know your name? I'd really like to properly thank you sometime."
"Sure, it's James," he replied with natural confidence. "But there's no need for thanks—it was nothing. Just be careful in the future."
"A young and beautiful woman like you shouldn't be out alone this late, especially after drinking so much," he advised gently. "There are dangerous people around."
Hestia raised her face and nodded. "I came to Glowing Oasis with my friend to clear my head. We're leaving tomorrow. I was feeling down tonight, so I went out for drinks."
She sighed. "I forgot myself and drank too much, then ran into those scum." Her voice took on a determined edge. "But don't worry, I won't be so reckless again."
"Feeling down—that explains it," James said understandingly. "Still, when you're away from home, you need to know how to protect yourself."
"You're so kind. If only he had half your consideration..." Hestia gazed at James wistfully before cutting herself off with a bitter smile.
James narrowed his eyes slightly. It seemed the woman was nursing a broken heart.
Just as he was about to speak, the roar of an engine echoed from outside the alley. Simultaneously, Hestia's phone rang sharply.
After a brief conversation, she turned to James. "My friend is here to pick me up. I have to go now, but I hope we can stay in touch." They exchanged phone numbers before James walked her to the alley entrance. "Take care."
Almost immediately, a red BMW flashed its lights from the left. A young woman with distinctive bangs stepped out, keys in hand, looking around.
"I'm over here!" Hestia waved to her friend, then turned to James. "Where are you headed? My friend could give you a ride."
James smiled and shook his head. "No need, but thanks."
"Hestia, who is this guy?" Hestia's friend, Genevieve Ashbourne, approached them. She was dressed head-to-toe in Givenchy, with a Cartier watch and Bulgari necklace—the epitome of fashion.
Her eyes, however, held a dismissive arrogance that seemed to look through everything. She eyed the unremarkable James and the snacks in his hands with obvious disdain and suspicion.
This man was clearly a nobody—why was Hestia even talking to him?
"This is James. He's the one who drove off those thugs," Hestia explained. "If it weren't for him, something terrible would have happened to me tonight."
On the phone, she had only mentioned being harassed by some troublemakers, not the attempted abduction. She didn't want her family restricting her independence in the future.
She continued with introductions. "James, this is my good friend Genevieve, she's here with me for some sightseeing."
"Him? Chase off thugs?" Genevieve scoffed after scrutinizing James. "With that physique? More likely he staged the whole thing to get close to you."
In her mind, James looked like he could be blown over by a strong breeze. How could he possibly handle five men? This had to be another case of a nobody trying to get close to someone out of his league.
"Genevieve, don't say that," Hestia protested.
"Hestia, you're too naive. The world is dangerous." Genevieve turned to James with open hostility. "Listen, stay away from Hestia."
She couldn't help feeling irritated by the familiar way her fairy-like friend interacted with this nobody. Besides, someone who ate street snacks had no place in their world of luxury cars and beauties.
"Genevieve, James is a good person," Hestia objected.
James simply smiled at Hestia. "Goodbye."
Hestia glanced around. "James, there aren't any bus stops nearby, and the subway is far. Let Genevieve give you a ride."
"Absolutely not," Genevieve cut in sharply. "This is a BMW. It's not appropriate for someone like him."
She gestured at the food containers in his hands. "What if he spills that? And even if he doesn't, the smell will linger forever. He can find his own way home."
Though the car was only rented for their trip, she still felt James wasn't worthy of sitting in it.
"Goodbye," James waved to Hestia and walked across the alley, not bothering to argue with Genevieve.
"Smart move," Genevieve said smugly, helping Hestia into the BMW before circling to the driver's side.
Just then, her expression froze as she watched James slide into a vehicle across the street. A Lamborghini! And not just any Lamborghini—a limited edition worth over thirty million dollars.
She couldn't help but gasp: Who the hell was this guy?
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
