"You," Luther Steph balled his hand into a tight fist and set his jaw firmly. He advanced a single pace in her direction, his anger a hot, surging tide within him, ready to confront her for the ambush and the harm inflicted upon Micha. He expected a reaction of fear or perhaps a challenge, but halted his movement abruptly when a burst of laughter escaped her lips. The sound was unexpected, a sharp, mocking peal that cut through the tense atmosphere, instantly deflating his initial fury and replacing it with a cold, unsettling confusion. He had anticipated defiance, perhaps even a desperate plea, but not this casual, almost dismissive amusement. It was as if she found his rage utterly inconsequential, a mere trifle in her grand scheme. This unexpected response threw him off balance, making him question her motives and her true nature. He narrowed his eyes, trying to discern any hint of weakness or deception behind her masked face, but found only an unnerving confidence.
"What was that remark?" she murmured softly, her voice surprisingly calm despite the preceding violence. She placed a digit on her chin as if deep in contemplation, her head tilted slightly. Her act of feigned thought was brief, a mere flicker, a theatrical pause designed to heighten the tension, before her gaze snapped back to his. Her eyes, previously obscured by the mask, now held an intense, lethal glint that pierced through him, conveying a clear and unmistakable threat. It was a look that promised pain, a silent declaration of her dangerous intent, making the air around them crackle with unspoken menace. A shiver, not of fear but of primal recognition, ran down Luther Steph's spine. He realized then that this woman was far more dangerous than any common assailant. She possessed a chilling composure, a calculated cruelty that was truly unsettling.
"Females such as myself do not merit affection in the heart, but rather a position beneath one's feet... Do you comprehend the position you truly merit?" she inquired, her voice dripping with disdain, each word a carefully aimed barb. Without breaking eye contact, her movements deliberate and unhurried, she deliberately slipped off one of her elevated shoes. The click of the heel against the ground was sharp in the sudden silence. With a swift, practiced motion, almost too quick to follow, she hurled the footwear directly at him. The sharp, pointed heel struck his face with a stinging impact. The slender, pointed edge of her shoe sliced his skin, leaving a distinct, crimson trace upon his cheek. He observed her footwear, noting its gleaming surface. The sharp tip of her shoe resembled a keen edge, and it was no surprise he felt a stinging sensation on his cheek. A thin line of crimson appeared where the heel had made contact, a stark contrast against his skin. The unexpected assault left him momentarily stunned, his mind struggling to process the audacity of her action. He touched the wound, feeling the warmth of his own blood, and a fresh wave of indignation washed over him. This was not just an attack; it was a deliberate act of humiliation, designed to assert dominance.
"This is your proper position," she declared, her voice now a low, dangerous hiss. "In the future, consider carefully before addressing a female as if she were your property. We bring you into existence, and we can also end your life." She advanced towards him with a deliberate, menacing stride, her eyes fixed on his. He stared at her, his jaw muscles taut with suppressed anger, his gaze unwavering despite the throbbing pain on his face. He began to speak, a retort forming on his lips, but she silenced him with a forceful strike across his face. The slap echoed in the sudden quiet, a sharp, humiliating sound. Before he could fully register the impact, she tossed a handful of currency directly at him, the bills fluttering to the ground around his feet like worthless confetti.
"Even this currency held greater worth than you," she uttered with a venomous tone, retreating a single pace, her expression unreadable behind the mask. His intense fury finally reached its peak, a boiling point where reason gave way to primal rage. The humiliation, the pain, the sheer disrespect—it all coalesced into an overwhelming desire for retribution. He lunged forward, seizing her neck, his hold firm, intending to end her life. His fingers tightened, cutting off her breath, but she showed no response, not even a flicker of fear or struggle. Her eyes remained cold, unwavering, almost bored. This lack of reaction was more unsettling than any resistance she could have offered. Instead, with an unnerving calm, she retrieved an item from her garment and discharged its contents into his vision. A burning, acrid liquid instantly engulfed his eyes. He recoiled, letting out a load howl stumbling backward as the world dissolved into a blinding pain.
"Remember this lesson before treating any woman unfairly," she warned, a smug look on her face as she turned and walked towards her car. Luther Steph wanted to stop her, but the burning in his eyes was driving him mad.
"Why aren't you healing me?" Luther Steph growled at his wolf, Liam, who was busy licking his tail, pretending not to hear.
"Liam!" Luther Steph roared again.
"You asked for it, and she gave it to you," Liam replied to Luther Steph, who clenched his jaw. Despite barely being able to see, he ran towards her car. She was about to get in when Luther Steph cut her off, moving in front of her vehicle. She gasped as he smashed the windshield with his hand.
"Remember this lesson before treating any woman unfairly," she warned, a smug look on her face as she turned and walked towards her car. Luther Steph wanted to stop her, but the burning in his eyes was driving him mad.
"Why aren't you healing me?" Luther Steph growled at his wolf, Liam, who was busy licking his tail, pretending not to hear.
"Liam!" Luther Steph roared again.
"You asked for it, and she gave it to you," Liam replied to Luther Steph, who clenched his jaw. Despite barely being able to see, he ran towards her car. She was about to get in when Luther Steph cut her off, moving in front of her vehicle. She gasped as he smashed the windshield with his hand.