Chapter 410 You Think I Can't Handle It?
The crowd was noisy and restless.
Seeing this, Xavier spoke earnestly, "Everyone, please remain calm. The signal block is just temporary. Once the investigation is over, you can use your phones as usual."
"How could you do this?" The man who had mentioned being just a kid when the Ember incident happened was visibly angry. He pointed at Xavier and said, "We tried to do a good deed by helping Darwin arrange his grandmother's funeral, and he doesn't even thank us. Instead, he turns around and treats us like suspects?"
"Don't worry; you won't suffer without compensation," a voice assured.
At that moment, Mike entered the room with a commanding stride. Unlike Stuart, who was more of a white-collar associate, Mike had been raised in the underground world, shaped into a lethal weapon from a young age, long before Chicago and Charles were even born. Stuart plucked him from the gray market and brought him into the fold. His hands were stained with the blood of many, but he had also ingrained the duty of safeguarding the young master and miss into his very marrow.
With Chicago's recent assault, Mike was seething with rage. Had there not been such a public outcry, he would've blown the brains out of the mad woman responsible.
Stepping forward, Mike's presence brought an entirely different threat level than Xavier's. His hands clasped behind him, his stance wide; his bronze skin couldn't hide the scar on his face, still stark and intimidating. His tongue flicked over a canine tooth as his gaze swept over the crowd.
"My boss says anyone who isn't the culprit and has been wronged will get half a million as compensation." Mike's voice cut through the tension as he looked at the individual planning to take a flight for work. "If someone's work has suffered because of this, the Rhoads family will reimburse the full amount."
The once noisy crowd fell silent, exchanging looks but saying nothing.
"There's an easier way, though. Whoever put the crazy lady up to this, I guarantee you'll be found." Mike's glare was fixed on the crowd with menace. "Stand up now, save my boss a headache, and I might consider not involving your family."
"Sir," Aria said, unable to hold back any longer, her voice heavy, "let's stick to the issue at hand. Do you want to drag innocent families into this? What era do you think we're living in?"
"Old man, is it you?" Mike took a step forward, his presence oppressive as he approached Aria.
"Of course not!" Aria instinctively leaned back, eager to put some distance between himself and Mike.
Seeing this, Xavier stepped forward and interjected, "Go easy, Mike. He's one of Brixton's town elders."
"So what? If you mess with Miss Rhoads, who you are won't matter!" Mike called out fiercely.
Aria paled, losing all color in his face.
"You..."
"Look, if what they're saying is true, whoever put Ember up to it should come forward quickly. Don't waste everyone's time!" someone in the crowd grumbled.
"Just because they say it was someone from Brixton doesn't mean it’s true," another countered skeptically.
"Ah well, I didn't do it anyway, and turning down half a million is just leaving money on the table. I'm going to hit the hay."
"Yeah, half a million bucks. Tempting, right?"
Folks who were usually scraping by with no substantial savings suddenly heard there was $500,000 up for grabs and let go of any lingering concerns.
Having no interest whatsoever in a showdown with Xavier and Mike, they leisurely found themselves places to rest.
In no time at all, the crowd of more than twenty had dwindled to just a few.
"Grandpa, let them handle it," Aria's grandson suggested, steadying the elder. "We should take a break, too; this has nothing to do with us."
"It's just too much!" Aria cried, overwhelmed, as he was escorted away.
Some hot-blooded youngsters from wealthy families stood their ground, still indignant, refusing to back down from Mike.
But Mike needed to be more impressed by these lightweights.
None were a match for his punch.
*
Around three to four in the afternoon.
Darwin's condition steadily improved.
"Make sure to keep the wound dry and avoid further tearing," the doctor advised after a thorough examination. "I'll prescribe some blood-building tonics for you. Rest at home for a while, and you should recover."
Initially, the doctor had no clue who Darwin and Fiona were.
The realization only dawned after being briefed by an intern back at the office.
"You're lucky your husband's in great shape despite the severe accident and significant blood loss. It could have cost him half his life," the doctor told Fiona.
Before Fiona could respond, Darwin spoke weakly, "Honestly, I feel like I've already lost half my life. I’m just hanging on for my wife and kids."
Fiona was speechless.
He was a born actor!
Yet, despite Darwin downplaying his condition, losing so much blood on top of his unhealed injuries was still serious.
Fiona's anger towards the instigator didn't subside one bit.
After the doctor left, the tonics arrived, and as Fiona checked them, she told Darwin, "Someone will be taking you back to the hotel soon..."
Darwin gradually got out of bed before she could finish her sentence.
However, due to the dizziness from the blood loss, he swayed as soon as he stood up.
"Careful!"
Fiona, catching a glimpse from the corner of her eye, instinctively set aside what she was holding, stepped forward, and wrapped her arms around Darwin's waist.
Without a word, Darwin leaned his large frame into Fiona, groaning about feeling dizzy, the room spinning around him.
Fiona furrowed her brow. "Why'd you get up so fast? You've lost too much blood, big guy!"
Darwin didn't reply. He just shut his eyes tightly, his brow furrowed in pain.
It was not an act this time; he was genuinely in pain.
"I heard you talking about going back to the hotel, so..." Darwin paused, his lips thinning. "But... why get someone else? Aren't you coming back too?"
"I need to make a run to Brixton," Fiona said calmly, then helped Darwin onto the hospital bed.
"By yourself?" Darwin frowned, clearly concerned.
"Xavier and Mike took a crew over. It's under control," Fiona replied calmly. "Charles and Chicago are worried about you, and given your condition, it's not good for you to go."
"I'll get better soon, then I'll go with you," Darwin blurted out impulsively.
Fiona crossed her arms and looked at him. "Do you think I can't handle it?"
"It's not that..."
"Then spare me the talk." Fiona cut him off, signaling her bodyguard with a wave.
The bodyguard immediately approached.
"Escort Mr. Solomon safely to the hotel and avoid the media outside."
"Yes, ma'am."
After giving her instructions, Fiona was ready to leave.
"Fiona." Darwin caught her fingers with his uninjured hand.
Fiona furrowed her brows, expecting him to continue his objections, but instead...
"Just be safe," he said, looking into her eyes. "Let Xavier and Mike lead, and if anything feels off, leave immediately."
Fiona paused momentarily, withdrew her hand, and nodded. "Got it."
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