Chapter 9: A Battle of Blood and Betrayal.
POV: Ahn Jae-hyun (ML)
The moment those men stepped forward, I knew one thing—this wasn't just a fight.
This was a war.
A war between Kang Ji-ah and the people who had betrayed her.
A war between me and the woman who thought she could take her away from me.
And I wasn't going to lose.
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The First Strike
The first man lunged.
I moved faster.
A hard punch to the gut—he doubled over.
A swift kick to the chest—he crashed into the crates behind him.
Another came from the side.
I dodged, twisted his arm, and slammed him to the ground.
Two more rushed at me.
I welcomed the challenge.
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Ji-ah Fights Back
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Ji-ah move.
She was a bodyguard for a reason.
One man tried to grab her wrist—bad idea.
She flipped him over her shoulder, sending him flying.
Another grabbed her from behind.
Ji-ah stomped on his foot, elbowed his ribs, and sent him sprawling with a sharp kick.
Her breathing was steady. Her eyes burned with fury.
This wasn't just a fight for survival.
This was payback.
---
Face to Face with the Villain
I turned my gaze to the mastermind behind this.
Ji-ah's real mother.
She stood at the back, watching.
Her lips curled in amusement as if we were entertainment for her.
I clenched my jaw and took a step forward.
She raised an eyebrow.
"Do you really think you can stop me, Ahn Jae-hyun?" she asked smoothly.
I smirked.
"I don't think," I said. "I know."
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The End of the Battle
Within minutes, the last of her men lay unconscious.
Some groaned in pain.
Others didn't move.
Ji-ah and I stood side by side, catching our breath.
Her mother remained untouched, unbothered.
She simply clapped her hands.
"Well done," she said. "But this isn't over."
She turned to Seo-ah.
"You had your chance, my dear," she murmured. "And you failed."
Ji-ah stiffened beside me.
Seo-ah? Failed?
I narrowed my eyes.
Something was wrong.
Something was very, very wrong.
---
A New Threat
Ji-ah's mother stepped closer, lowering her voice.
"I wasn't planning to get my hands dirty," she said, "but you've left me no choice."
She pulled out a gun.
Ji-ah froze.
I stepped in front of her.
Her mother smirked.
"You can't protect her forever."
I met her gaze, my voice ice-cold.
"Watch me."
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