The hot afternoon wind seemed to freeze as a familiar alert from Nathan's system suddenly blared.
Its gentle vibration turned into a sharp ring on his wrist, followed by a calm but urgent synthetic voice.
[DING!]
[Warning: Anton has contacted a group of dangerous individuals. Their goal is to seize your device and erase evidence. Estimated arrival time: five minutes.]
Nathan, who had been preoccupied with Joice's fate, immediately transformed. His usually calm and calculating face flushed, his eyes burning with a cold and dangerous fury.
Anton wasn't just playing dirty; he was trying to go back on their agreement. He wanted to destroy evidence that could save many people.
At that moment, Nathan's urge to destroy Anton was so strong that, for a moment, the world around him disappeared.
With quick, furious finger movements on his phone screen, he issued a command to his system, his voice trembling but full of determination. "Access all of Anton's financial data, his shell companies, fictitious projects, personal accounts—everything! Find every violation, from tax evasion to money laundering. I want him buried in prison, unable to breathe again!"
The system immediately went to work, processing data with astonishing speed.
Meanwhile, Nathan turned to Joice. Anton's cunning and greedy face had vanished from his mind. Now, all that remained was a woman who had been deceived and needed protection. "Joice, forget the severance. It could be a trap. I want you by my side. I will ensure you're safe," he said, his voice softer now, though his eyes still flashed with anger from the news he had just received.
Nathan asked his system for Joice's bank account number.
Then he said to Joice, "I'll immediately send you some of my personal money. Use it as capital for a business. Don't worry about anything else."
Before Joice could respond, Nathan had already opened his banking app on his phone. With a few taps, he transferred a substantial amount—200 million rupiah—to Joice's account.
A notification popped up on Joice's phone with a sharp ding. Joice's eyes widened at the large sum of money. She was also very surprised why Nathan could send her money when she hadn't given him her account number yet.
"This is for you. Your business capital. Start a new life, far from people like Anton. You don't owe anyone anything, including me," Nathan said, his gaze filled with deep sincerity.
Joice was stunned. Her eyes welled up with tears as she saw so many zeroes on her phone screen. A mix of relief, emotion, and happiness overwhelmed her.
The money wasn't just money; it was a symbol of freedom, a bridge to a future no longer shadowed by injustice.
She wanted to thank him, wanted to hug Nathan, but her words caught in her throat.
Just then, the afternoon silence was shattered by the roar of a dark black car that sped up roughly and stopped abruptly right in front of them, kicking up a cloud of dust.
From inside the car, eight burly, menacing-looking men emerged. Tattoos covered their arms, and their eyes were full of menace.
One of them, who seemed to be the leader, immediately called someone.
Nathan, with his keen hearing, caught a snippet of the conversation. "We're on site, Mr. Anton. We'll soon break the person who dared to disturb you."
Hearing that, Nathan gently pushed Joice behind him, shielding her with his body. A faint smile spread across his lips, an expression more terrifying than anger. "Stay behind me," he whispered to Joice, his voice calm but authoritative.
Joice trembled with fear. "Nathan, run! They're too many!" she cried, her voice nearly choked with panic.
But Nathan just shook his head slowly, standing firm like a rock.
Joice, unable to bear witnessing the impending violence, closed her eyes tightly, tears beginning to fall from the corners of her eyes. She prayed silently, pleading for the safety of the good man who had given her hope.
Joice's world went dark, and all that remained was sound. The sound of running footsteps, the hard thud of kicks hitting flesh, the air-splitting impact of punches, shouts of anger, and screams of pain.
The sound of bodies falling to the ground with heavy thuds, followed by groans and moans. The sounds were so rapid, like a symphony of violence played at double speed. Joice's heart pounded, imagining Nathan tormented and lying helpless.
Then, suddenly, silence.
The sounds stopped instantly, replaced by increasingly loud, curious whispers.
Office employees, who had heard the commotion, began to gather at the windows, and some came out to the yard, watching with eyes full of fear and astonishment.
With a pounding heart, Joice slowly opened her eyes, bracing herself to see the most horrific sight: Nathan lying battered and bruised, surrounded by thugs still standing arrogantly.
But what she saw was the opposite.
The scene was so contrary to her imagination. The eight large thugs were scattered on the ground like broken dolls.
One man clutched his bent arm, groaning in pain; another lay unconscious, his face disfigured; yet another rolled around clutching his stomach. Their faces were swollen, bloodied, and full of agony.
And amidst the destruction, Nathan stood tall. His breath was slightly ragged, but there wasn't a single serious injury on his body.
With a cold and merciless face, he stepped on the chest of the thug leader who was trying to crawl away. In his hand, he held the thug's phone.
Nathan raised the phone to his mouth, his voice booming, full of triumph and menace. "Anton! Listen carefully. Your dogs are down. Because you chose dirty games, not fair cooperation, this is your end. I will not only destroy your career, but I will also ensure you are held accountable for every rupiah you stole."
He paused for a moment, savoring the silence on the other end of the line. "I've sent all the evidence. Everything. The falsified financial reports, secret transfer records, shell accounts, even videos from your contractor when you accepted bribes for that fictitious project. Everything has gone to your big boss's server in the capital, and most importantly, it has reached the police desk—not through your nephew whom you could bribe in the police force. You're finished, Anton. Completely finished."
On the Second Floor, Anton's Office
Anton watched the entire chaos below from behind his office window. Cold sweat drenched his forehead as his eight reliable thugs were destroyed one by one by Nathan, alone, so easily and terrifyingly. His self-confidence crumbled to dust.
Suddenly, his office door burst open. His secretary entered, her face pale and hands trembling, carrying a tablet. "M-Mr. Anton... there's something... this..." she stammered, handing him the tablet.
Anton took it. On the screen, a digital folder containing hundreds of files was open. Financial reports he had meticulously edited, secret emails he thought were long deleted, transfer slips to unregistered accounts, and the most devastating—several video files. With a trembling finger, he pressed play.
The video clearly showed him sitting in a luxurious restaurant with a contractor. Their voices were clear: "For that project, 30% for you, Mr. Anton. We'll strip down the materials. So our profit will be high."
"Hahaha. Yes, yes."
"We'll take care of all the documents." Anton in the video smiled broadly, receiving a large brown bag.
Anton's world spun. It felt like all the oxygen in the room disappeared. He couldn't breathe. How did Nathan get this? Who betrayed him?
The phone on his desk rang, making him nearly jump. The number displayed was the one he feared most: his Big Boss in the Capital. With uncontrollably shaking hands, he answered it.
"ANTON!" the voice on the other end boomed, full of overflowing rage. "What have you done?!"
"B-Boss, I can explain—" Anton tried to defend himself, his voice choked.
"Shut up!" his boss snapped. "I've received EVERYTHING! Files, videos, everything! You didn't just steal, you embarrassed this company! I've reported all of this to the police. They are on their way to your office now. This is no longer about dismissal, Anton. This is prison and restitution! Your assets will be seized! Get ready!"
Click.
The phone was abruptly hung up.
Anton was stunned. The tablet fell from his hands and shattered on the floor. He slumped into his chair, his body weak. His eyes stared blankly out the window, where Nathan still stood proudly amidst the ruins of Anton's power.
Deep and bitter regret overwhelmed him. Nathan had given him an elegant way out—to resign quietly. But he, due to his greed and arrogance, chose to fight. He sent thugs, he tried to use violence. And now, he had lost everything: his career, wealth, freedom, and self-respect.
He bowed his head, sobbing uncontrollably. The tears of regret were too late. The approaching police sirens were the soundtrack to the total destruction he had brought upon himself.
Back to the Battlefield
Nathan threw the thug's phone to the ground and crushed it with a heel stomp. He stepped closer to Joice, who was still stunned and tearful. His stern face softened as he saw the fear in her eyes.
"It's over," he said, his voice soft again. "He won't bother you anymore."
Joice was speechless. She looked around at the groaning bodies of the thugs, then back at Nathan. Her fear slowly turned into immense admiration. 'Who is this man, really? Someone who could defeat eight thugs and bring down a corrupt director in a matter of minutes?'
Unable to hold back any longer, Joice jumped and hugged Nathan tightly. "Thank you," she sobbed, her voice trembling with emotion. "Thank you for saving me."
Nathan returned her embrace, providing a sense of security Joice hadn't felt in a long time. In the distance, police sirens grew louder, a sign that the final act of this drama was about to begin.
"Take me with you. I want to give you a gift," Joice said coquettishly.
"What gift?" Nathan asked curiously.
"Let's check-in," Joice replied, excited but afraid of rejection.
Nathan curved his lips into a smile. "Ok."