Chapter133 It Was Him
In the parking lot, Winona Sullivan's phone flew through the air and smashed onto the ground, the screen shattering instantaneously.
One of the thugs stepped on it without a hint of courtesy, stomping it viciously: "You really looking for trouble, huh? We're just here to take some pictures. Don't blame us if things get rough because you're not cooperating!"
After his threat, he eyed Winona Sullivan, his lecherous gaze roving up and down her figure as he sneered with a snicker, "Nice body, must've had quite the attention from men..."
Filthy insults followed as their gazes upon her took on a vile energy.
Dressed casually and carrying a crossbody bag that day, Winona asked them calmly, "What kind of pictures are you looking to take?"
"You know, the kind you see in those adult videos."
"Fine, but let's do it in the car; I don't want to be seen," she replied, taking off her bag and holding it in hand. "I have late-night plans with a friend, so you'll need to make it quick. I can't have them finding out I got... this sort of picture taken."
The men scoffed, thinking about how the whole internet would soon see the photos; still, she didn't want to be seen?
Despite their original plan to film in the car, the dim light in the narrow alley would have rendered any footage virtually useless.
"Fine, but you need to hand over the keys."
Winona Sullivan pursed her lips, reluctant to comply, as the ringleader reached out to snatch them from her.
In an unexpected move, she lifted her hand and wrapped her purse strap around the man's neck, quickly looping it and pulling it taut.
Seizing the moment of surprise, she pivoted, using his body as leverage until her back was up against the hood of the car.
Winona, appearing nothing like a brawler and lacking any obvious weapons, was underestimated by the thugs who never imagined she posed a threat.
"Looking to rough me up for some cash?" she questioned, her tone unwavering.
"You think you can buy us off? We live by the streets, by the rules," sneered one of the men, mistakenly confident. "You can't intimidate us with a strap. Let's see who ends up dead first, you or our boss."
A flash of menace caught the light as the man drew a switchblade from his pocket.
Despite the threat, Winona showed no fear, easing her grip slightly to allow the man a moment to breathe.
It could take two minutes to strangle someone, but only a moment to end her.
"The guy who sent you to snap those photos of me didn't fill you in on who I am, did he?" Her voice was calm, controlled. "I suggest you look up who Zachary Bailey's wife is."
A brief silence fell.
"We're under surveillance, and when you consider the wealth and resources of the Bailey Group... I'd think twice about harming me," she continued with icy precision. "Before you try anything, consider how you'd escape, where you'd go. And take your families with you, because Zachary Bailey is notorious for his ruthlessness."
The man with the knife couldn't resist double checking his phone.
Winona licked her dry lips and added, "I struck first. The cameras caught it all — mere self-defense, no serious injuries. The police will likely..."
Her words were abruptly cut off by a booming explosion that shattered the silent winter night.
Blinding headlights bore down on them, accompanied by the shrill sound of tires screeching to a halt as a black car forcefully stopped right in front of the group.
The door swung open, and a tall figure emerged from the vehicle. The high-beams made it near impossible for the group to make out the newcomer with their squinted eyes.
Winona's every nerve was on edge. She couldn't tell if the arrival was friend or foe. If it was the latter, her bravado had been for naught.
But as the figure approached, a tinge of hope flickered within her. Could it be... Zachary Bailey?
Everything was shrouded in uncertainty, face unseen.
Winona's tense body didn't slump with relief until the stranger grabbed the peripheral hoodlum and tossed him aside like a sandbag.
It was only then that Winona Sullivan noticed her hands trembling fiercely, dangerously close to losing grip on her purse strap.
The newcomer had swiftly incapacitated the disorganized crowd, their groans of pain echoing in the air. Winona, now slumped on the hood of a car, tilted her head back to look up at the man standing before her.
"Austin..."
His towering figure cast a halo of light around him, shielding her from the harsh glare. Winona's voice trembled with the aftershocks of fear, "How did you find me?"
"I had a bad feeling. Called Rebecca Davis for your work location; when I realized how secluded it was, I knew I had to pick you up."
Austin let out a heavy sigh and sat down beside her. "Good thing I came. Military training sharpened even my instincts. When your phone was off, it felt off."
A small smile curved Winona's lips, "Thank you."
"Next time, stay put and wait for me. Don't even leave the building."
"I'm sorry..."
They sat in silence; the fear that had clawed at her seemed to scatter.
Their intense conversation didn't go unnoticed. The goons writhing on the ground began to stealthily crawl away, but Austin sent them sliding across the pavement with a swift kick, their screams adding to the night’s chaos.
"What should we do with this bunch?"
"Guess we're heading to the police station."
It was the only real option.
No sooner had Winona spoken than a car came hurtling toward them, screeching to a halt. Out stepped Zachary Bailey, dressed in black, his gaze falling sharply upon the man and woman sitting close together.
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