Blood gushed instantly.
The older man clutched his head, letting out a pained howl…
The chance had come. Dragging her weak, trembling body, she escaped from Room 1816.
She staggered along the wall for a few steps before a wave of dizziness hit—she really couldn't go any further.
In a panic, she banged on the door of Room 1818.
"Open the door, open the door, please save me…"
A tall, lean man opened it. Lin Xiaonuan didn't even see his face clearly—like grabbing a lifeline, she collapsed into his chest.
"S… save… me…"
With that, she passed out.
The man's face was cold, his eyes radiating a chilling aura.
Instinctively, he moved to push away this woman who had thrown herself into his arms without warning.
Hmph—he'd seen far too many women try to approach him with calculated tricks.
But when he lowered his gaze and caught sight of her delicate face, his heart gave a sudden jolt.
This woman… he'd seen her somewhere before.
Her limp body was sliding downward bit by bit. Almost unconsciously, he wrapped an arm around her slender waist and pulled her into his embrace.
So light…
He stared down at the sleeping woman in his arms, eyes deep and unreadable.
She looked so familiar, yet he couldn't remember where they had met…
Just as he was about to turn back into his room, an angry shout came from behind.
"Hey, you! Stop right there!"
The older man was wearing nothing but underwear, pressing a towel to the bloody gash on his head…
The pathetic sight made the tall man curl his lips in a mocking smile—he could guess with his toes what had just happened.
He glanced at the woman in his arms, and a fleeting, almost imperceptible smile crossed his otherwise meticulous face.
You beat someone until they're bleeding from the head…
Woman, you're interesting.
Seeing the disdain in the younger man's eyes and getting no response, the older man's anger flared even hotter.
"You useless punk! Put that filthy woman down—she's mine!"
Your woman?
The younger man gave a cold snort, his brows knitting together. His body radiated a powerful, oppressive aura that made the air feel icy.
"And if I don't?"
His voice wasn't loud, but it carried an unshakable dominance.
But the older man's eyes were glued to the beauty in the man's arms, too obsessed to notice.
Seeing that the man not only refused to put her down but held her tighter, he nearly lunged forward to snatch her.
Yet the younger man's tall, solid frame radiated strength; standing on tiptoe, the older man barely reached his armpit.
He hesitated, but his mouth was still filthy.
"Don't you even know who I am? Ever heard of Zhu Corporation? It's mine! My family has enough money to crush you to death. Go against me, and your life's over."
The man stayed calm, his refined features and noble, aloof bearing making it clear he wouldn't stoop to arguing.
The older man took his silence as fear and grew bolder.
"Boy, playing hero isn't something just anyone can pull off. Know your place, or you'll regret it."
He pointed a finger at the younger man.
"I'll give you one last chance—hand the woman over, apologize, call me 'grandpa,' and we'll let this go. If you insist on drinking a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit, one phone call from me and you won't be able to survive in this city!"
Then he burst into loud, arrogant laughter.
"Damn you…"
The man slowly tightened his arm around the girl's waist and rolled his ankle.
In a swift, explosive motion, his powerful right leg lashed out in a beautiful side kick toward the older man.
The speed was astonishing.
The kick was aimed at the carotid artery in the man's neck—enough force to kill.
But since he had just taken a shower, he didn't want to dirty his foot. At the last second, he pulled the kick back.
Even so, the older man was utterly terrified, frozen in place before collapsing to the floor like a limp rag.
The hotel manager, having heard there was trouble, came rushing over with four or five security guards.
Seeing the half-paralyzed older man on the floor, he was stunned—wasn't that Mr. Zhu?
The manager hurried forward to help him up.
"Mr. Zhu! What happened to you? Who would dare lay a hand on you?"