8

Her jaw hardened, but she didn't take her eyes off Selena. Her heart was racing-not from fear, but from adrenaline and boiling anger. This time, Isla intended to leave scars on the woman who seemed determined to destroy her.

Selena with a sly smile. Her gaze locked on Isla like a predator on its quarry. They all retreated and formed a circle around Isla and Selena. The atmosphere was suddenly quiet, full of anticipation.

Her whole body ached, her thighs throbbing with pain every time she moved. However, she suppressed the pain deeply. She couldn't afford to look weak, especially not in front of Selena.

The fight began without a signal. Selena moved first. Her movements were swift as a shadow and Isla barely had time to dodge the punches aimed at her head. She ducked, twisted her body on her good leg, and slammed her elbow into Selena's ribs. However, Selena easily parried and retaliated with her leg aiming for Isla's injured thigh.

"Still limping, huh?" asked Selena with a grin.

They watched the fight between Isla and Selena. Selena charged again, her fists flying in quick and deadly combinations. Isla parried the first two, but the third hit her shoulder. She took a few steps back.

"Is this all you've got?" said Selena.

Isla gritted her teeth, enduring the growing pain. Her breathing was labored, but her eyes remained fixed on Selena. She knew that Selena not only wanted to win but also to humiliate her in front of everyone.

"It's not over yet."

Selena attacked again, this time with a kick that targeted Isla's leg. Isla jumped back, but her movement was a little too late. Selena's kick hit her thigh and instantly a sharp pain shot through her bones. Isla knelt for a moment, but before Selena could strike again, in one unexpected move she caught Selena's ankle. Then, she pulled so hard that the woman lost her balance.

They were all surprised to see Selena fall. But she quickly got up with an angry look on her face. Her eyes were full of emotion.

"You're going to regret touching me," Selena said.

Isla felt something warm running down her thigh. As she glanced down, she saw blood dripping from beneath the bandage that had been unable to hold the open wound. The red liquid soaked through her training pants and flowed down the curve of her leg.

But Isla did not back down. Instead, she raised her chin slightly as if to challenge Selena. The pain was piercing, but to her, it was a reminder that she was still alive, still fighting here.

"You're bleeding and you think you can still win?" The corners of Selena's lips turned up in mockery.

Selena couldn't accept being put down in front of so many people like this, especially by someone she considered weaker than herself. Selena stormed back, this time faster and more violent. Her punches were relentless and Isla began to struggle to keep up.

Every movement felt heavier and heavier. Her breathing was labored and her thighs were now burning. The bandages were completely soaked with blood and the pain was radiating.

Isla tried to defend, parry, and duck, occasionally countering with quick punches. However, her movements were no longer as fast as before. The wound was starting to drain her strength.

Selena noticed it and took advantage of it without hesitation. Her kick went for Isla's thigh again, hitting hard. Isla almost fell, but she forced herself up.

"You'd better give up," Selena taunted with a triumphant face this time.

"Don't expect me to give up so easily!"

Selena smashed Isla with her elbow. Isla had no time to parry as the blow landed squarely on her jaw, knocking her to the ground. Her breathing was heavy. The world around her began to spin. She felt fresh blood flowing again, now not only from her thigh but also from her split lip. Her hands trembled as she tried to get up.

Selena had no mercy. She punched and slammed into Isla's stomach, making her breathing stop for a moment. Then another punch slammed into her temple, sending Isla's body tumbling.

"Get up," Selena said. "If you can only do this, it's better to die now."

Isla tried to get up and Selena kicked her in the chest, sending her body flying backwards. The sound of her breath caught and her body trembled. Blood dripped from her temples, from her lips, from the open wound on her thigh. However, the fire of Isla's spirit was still not extinguished. Selena pulled Isla to her feet only to hit her again.

Isla raised her hands slowly, trying to deflect one strike. However, Selena's fist landed on the side of her face and Isla fell hard, this time not getting up immediately. Matteo just shook his head when he saw her in this battered state.

The gash on her thigh bled more profusely, soaking the arena floor. Her vision began to blur and every breath she took seemed to force her to survive. No one cared about her current state.

"Get up if you still have pride!" shouted Selena.

Her vision was almost completely black. The sounds around her began to sound like distant echoes. Matteo glanced at Rafael who was still sitting quietly in his chair, not reacting at all. It was as if this was just a spectacle of entertainment for him. Everyone watching remained silent, no one cared. No one stopped this scene.

Selena continued to beat Isla. She felt her body almost give out. However, she was determined not to crumble before them. With barely any energy left, Isla slowly got up. Her knees trembled, blood still flowed, but her gaze was different now.

"Still want to get up?" Selena frowned, her expression growing more serious.

"It's not over yet," Isla said.

At that moment, Matteo smiled slightly at Isla's determination in this fight. Isla with limping steps and intermittent breathing approached Selena. Her hands were already at the ready. The wound on her thigh was bleeding profusely, but her eyes remained fixed on one point: Selena's weakness.

Selena approached again. She felt sure that Isla only needed one more punch to fall completely. Her haughty smile returned.

"You're a disgrace, not even worthy of being part of this place." Selena sneered.

With one swift movement, Isla slid forward. Her body ducked and elbowed Selena hard in the stomach, enough to startle and force the woman to take a step back. Before Selena could regain her balance, Isla twisted her body and delivered a hard punch to the side of Selena's jaw. The sound of bone crunching was audible and the woman staggered to the side and collapsed on the floor.

No one could believe that Isla, who had barely been able to stand, was now fighting back against Selena. Matteo's face couldn't hide the amazement of seeing Isla develop this quickly.

"Never underestimate the wounds that made me survive."