Chapter 9: The Price of Dignity 2

Tono sneered maliciously, then called a security guard and dragged Davis before him. However, Davis remained standing tall like a sturdy tree, showing no sign of anxiety.

Davis deliberately let Tono feel triumphant before teaching him a lesson.

"Arrest him and beat him up, sir. But don't kill him. If necessary, break his hands and legs so he won't be able to steal again or wander around this area!" Tono ordered arrogantly.

The two security guards, unaware of who Davis truly was, simply followed Tono's command.

"Understood, Young Master," replied one of the guards, named Gilang. He immediately approached Davis and raised the short baton hanging from his waist, ready to strike.

But Davis spoke calmly, "If you continue, you'll realize you've made the wrong decision."

Gilang hesitated for five seconds. He observed Davis' attire—everything was from luxury brands. However, he still assumed that the man before him was merely a thief.

Finally, Gilang swung his baton, attempting to strike. But Davis smirked, then casually raised his left hand and caught the baton in mid-air.

Everyone fell silent. No one expected Davis' lean frame to stop the blow so effortlessly.

Then, with a swift move, Davis delivered a kick to Gilang's stomach.

Bugh!

Gilang's body arched backward before he collapsed, curling up in pain.

Tono couldn't believe what he had just witnessed. Davis moved like a martial arts expert. But as far as he knew, Davis had always been a weakling.

The other security guard, seeing Gilang fall after just one attack, hesitated to act. Instead, he immediately called his commander, Joni, at the main security post.

Meanwhile, Davis walked toward Tono with a relaxed stride. When they were only three meters apart, he asked, "Why did you order the security guard to fight me? Why don't you do it yourself?"

Tono instinctively stepped back two paces. Davis' gaze was sharp—like an eagle locking onto its prey.

Tono suddenly felt small before Davis. There was something different about him—something terrifying.

But he couldn't run away. As the son of a shareholder of Galeria Mall, he had to uphold his dignity.

Gritting his teeth, Tono clenched his fists. He had participated in taekwondo competitions before, even though he always lost, but at least he had the courage to fight.

Fueled by anger, he swung a punch at Davis' face.

Davis effortlessly dodged to the side, then countered with a punch to Tono's throat.

Brak!

Tono staggered backward. His jaw shifted slightly. If Davis had used full force, his head would have shattered like a brick struck by a martial artist.

The attack happened in mere seconds. Those who expected Davis to be beaten down instead saw the opposite—Tono backing away, clutching his throat, struggling to speak due to the pain.

At the same time, Julfikar rushed over. For some reason, he had a sudden stomachache, causing him to be late in meeting his Young Boss.

When he finally arrived at the scene, he found a crowd of mall visitors.

"What's going on here?" Julfikar asked as he dispersed the onlookers. Then, he noticed some security guards standing idly. "Hey, security! Why aren't you dispersing the crowd? Are you just here to collect a paycheck?"

One of the security guards approached and said, "Sir, Young Master Tono ordered us to catch a thief. But Mr. Gilang got hit, and now Young Master Tono too. Everyone here can be a witness."

"Yes... we can testify!" some people in the crowd chimed in.

Tono smirked slyly. This is the power of influence, he thought.

Suddenly, Joni arrived in a hurry, like an Indian policeman showing up after all the villains had already been defeated. "Where's the thief?" he asked.

The security guard pointed toward Davis, who still wore a calm smile.

Joni turned to look at Davis. The moment he saw his face clearly, his expression instantly changed. He quickly approached Davis and bowed deeply.

"Boss...!" he greeted respectfully.

The crowd gasped. They had just insulted a big boss!

Julfikar immediately grasped the situation and began dispersing the crowd. Once everything settled, he approached Davis.

"Apologies, Boss, for the rudeness of our staff. I will handle this matter."

However, Julfikar had no authority over Tono. So he turned to Davis. "Boss, please give the order. What should we do with this man?"

Davis stared at Tono coldly. "Take him to your office."

Joni immediately grabbed Tono's hands and shackled them with a small chain he always carried. Forcing him forward, he led Tono inside.

"You'll regret treating me like this, Davis!" Tono shouted. "My father owns one of the biggest hotels in this area! I'll have him destroy you!"

Davis didn't respond and continued walking with Julfikar.

Tono kept struggling, but Joni's grip was too strong.

"Shut up if you want to stay safe, or I'll smack that mouth of yours!" Joni threatened.

Tono had no choice but to comply.

Once they reached Julfikar's office, Davis sat in the main chair while Julfikar stood beside him.

Davis stared at Tono with a piercing gaze.

"Call your father here. I want to see him," he said flatly.

Tono quickly pulled out his phone and tried calling his father multiple times, but there was no answer.

Davis clicked his tongue. "Are you playing games with me?"

Then he turned to Joni. "Joni, hit him."

Without hesitation, Joni slapped Tono hard.

Plaaak!

A tooth flew out of Tono's mouth. He spat it onto the floor.

"Call him again," Davis ordered, still in a calm tone.

Terrified now, Tono dialed his father's number once more.

Davis leaned back in his chair.

This is just the beginning... he thought with a faint smile.

Tono was fuming inside. He cursed Davis and Joni for daring to hit him. Just wait until my father arrives. I'll break all your legs! he repeated the thought over and over in his head.

But he also cursed his father for not answering his calls sooner. He even briefly wondered if he was really his son.

Finally, after several rings, his father answered.

"What's wrong, Tono? Why are you calling me repeatedly? I'm waiting for an important guest right now, I'm busy," his father said from the other end.

"Damn it! Are you even my father? You care more about someone else than me," Tono cursed inwardly. But he didn't dare voice it aloud. "Dad, help me! I'm being beaten up by three people in your territory!" he pleaded.

"What did you say? Who dares to hit you? Tell me where you are right now! I'm coming!"

Tono quickly sent his location. Ten minutes later, his father arrived in a hurry.

There was a loud knock on the door. Joni opened it.

Jalal scanned the room and found his son battered, his hands shackled.

Then he glared at Joni. "You're just a security commander, and yet you dare lay hands on my son? Do you want to be fired and thrown in jail?" he shouted at Joni.

"Ahem..." Julfikar cleared his throat.

"Shut up, you!" Jalal snapped at Julfikar, then turned back to Joni. But then he paused, glancing back at Julfikar, realizing something.

"Wait... what are you doing here, Jul?" he asked after confirming it was indeed Julfikar.