5. Storm In Silence

As Shen straightened his jacket and approached the Monroe dinner table, he immediately noticed that Jhon Monroe was absent.

His eyes met Ryona's across the room. She subtly raised her pinky finger, silently indicating that her grandfather was in the washroom.

Understanding the cue, Shen gave a faint nod and moved toward his seat, specifically the one Jhon had personally invited him to sit beside. It wasn't just any seat.

The rich scent of the chair's wooden frame caught his attention as he pulled it out. Shen recognized it instantly.

Agarwood.

A rare and luxurious material, often reserved for royalty and incense, harvested only from deep within Southeast Asia.

But before he could sit, Henry James stepped in with smug arrogance and dropped into the seat.

"Thanks for the seat, dirt," Henry sneered, leaning back with his hands behind his head, legs sprawled with offensive entitlement.

Shen's tone was calm, but his eyes were sharp. "Get up."

Henry chuckled mockingly. "Or what? You gonna cry, little man?"

"I said," Shen repeated, his voice still even, "get up. Last warning."

Instead of complying, Henry stood and shoved Shen with his chest. The room tensed. Foni and Carol Monroe watched with barely contained delight.

Just then, Caleb Monroe entered with his usual cocky strut. "Hey, hey, hey! Henry, my man!" he called, swaggering into the room.

Henry turned and grinned. "Caleb, bro!" They clasped hands in an exaggerated, over-the-top handshake like two boys in a high school locker room.

Foni Monroe's eyes narrowed as she spotted faint bruising on Caleb's cheek. "Oh my heavens, Caleb boy! What on earth happened to your face?" she asked with faux concern.

Putting on his best act, Caleb ran to her like a wounded child, fake tears welling in his eyes. "It was Shen! He attacked me this morning!"

Foni gasped, then whirled on Shen with venom in her voice. "Such audacity! Violence over such a silly matter?!"

She rose from her chair, pointing an accusing finger. "Apologize, Shen Tucker! At once!"

Ryona abruptly stood, placing herself between Shen and her aunt. "He did nothing wrong! He was protecting me from your pervert nephew!"

Foni's jaw dropped. "Ryona Belle Monroe!" she shouted, scandalized. "I cannot believe my sister has raised such a rebellious girl!"

Ryona ignored her and turned to Shen. "Let's go. We don't belong here."

She took his hand firmly and led him out, but not before grabbing his suitcase from the hallway.

Moments later, Jhon Monroe returned, adjusting the cuffs of his blazer. "Where are Ryona and Shen?" he asked as he took in the half-empty room.

"Father, you wouldn't believe it!" Foni began dramatically. "That Shen boy disrespected us all and stormed out!"

Henry chimed in with his own lie. "He insulted the American military, sir. Disgraced himself entirely."

Caleb added his own twist. "He even beat me up earlier, no reason at all!"

Jhon Monroe listened silently. Then, calmly, he turned to Henry. "Henry, come here."

Henry raised a brow and approached, swaggering until he stood face-to-face with the Monroe patriarch.

SLAP.

The sharp sound of palm against cheek echoed across the room.

"Father!" "Grandpa?!" Carol and Caleb shouted, stunned.

Henry clutched his face in disbelief. "What the hell, sir?!"

Jhon pulled out his phone, revealing a screen with an anonymous email. "I received this just minutes ago. Documents and bank records, proof that you've been selling sensitive military intelligence and laundering over 50 million dollars through Swiss accounts."

"Carol Foni Monroe!" Jhon roared.

Carol flinched, trembling. "I... I didn't know he was doing anything wrong. I just gave him a cheque, I swear..."

Jhon's shoulders slumped slightly, eyes full of disappointment. "How far my bloodline has rotted." He placed his fingers at his temples and closed his eyes. But the moment passed.

When he opened them again, he spoke calmly. "And where are Ryona and Shen?"

The butler approached. "Sir, Miss Ryona and Mister Shen left voluntarily. It seems there was conflict over Caleb's earlier behavior. As for Henry, he took the seat you reserved for Mister Shen."

Jhon Monroe nodded solemnly. "Then it's clear. The wrongs done tonight will not go unanswered." He faced Henry again. "You have two choices. Surrender to authorities—or I'll see to it personally that you're delivered to them in pieces."

Henry paled.

Turn's out. Shen secretly sent this information to Jhon Monroe in his phone before minutes entering the dinner table.

As expected of the Boss and founder of Black Dragon Group.

Meanwhile, on the dimly lit streets of downtown Kuala Lumpur, Shen and Ryona walked side-by-side, his luggage in tow. The air was thick with tension.

"You alright, Ryona?" Shen asked gently. He'd never seen her so silent.

"I'll be fine, sugar," she muttered. They flagged down a cab and soon arrived at a modest apartment building. "Make yourself at home, honey—"

She stopped short. Outside the apartment door stood six men, tall, broad, and clearly up to no good. One leaned against the wall, smoking. Another was holding Ryona's unconscious mother, Belle Monroe, by the collar.

Shen's eyes narrowed. Ryona gasped. "Wjat's going on! We paid rent this month as promised!" she shouted.

The leader, a man with gold chains and a leather vest, stepped forward. "Well, well... looks like y'all got visitors." His eyes leered over Ryona's body, from her bust to her hips.

"Fine piece of meat," he said, grinning cruelly. "Nice wide hips, thick thighs... Mmm, southern girl, huh?"

He turned to Belle Monroe, still limp in his man's arms. "You raised a fine daughter, old lady."

Disgust filled Ryona's face. "You're filth! Dr. King didn't fight for this! You disgrace everything he stood for!"

The leader's expression soured. "What, you think we still livin' in the forties? You better learn your place, bitch!" He grabbed Ryona's hair violently.

Before he could finish his sentence—

CRACK.

A fist smashed into his face. The leader flew across the room, crashing into the TV, which sparked and burst like shattered stars.

Shen stood there, eyes burning. His arm was wrapped tightly around Ryona's waist, shielding her. "Are you okay?" he asked.

Ryona nodded slowly, breath shaky.

"Take your mom. Go to your room."

She hesitated.

"Go!" Shen barked.

She obeyed, dragging her mother's bruised body into the apartment's back room.

Now it was just Shen... and the remaining five thugs.

He cracked his knuckles. Slowly. Deliberately.

One step forward.

The storm inside him had finally found its release.

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Chapter 5 — End.