The Unshackled King (by David Wu) novel Chapter 118

Wherever he went, trouble seemed to follow. Stefan's fingers twitched as he itched to teach Zoey a lesson with a well-placed slap.

Zoey's chest heaved with barely contained anger. She couldn't believe Stefan's audacity—a man fresh out of prison, acting as if he owned the place. That condescending smirk made her blood boil.

Before she could spit out the words burning her tongue, Marcus stepped forward, his gaze cold and assessing. "A man should know his place. Reach too high, and the fall will break you. Stay away from Sara. You're not fit to be her fiancé. Keep pushing, and you might not live to regret it."

It was no secret that Marcus had once pursued Sara.

He'd tried every trick in the book—lavish gifts, public gestures, whispered promises—but Sara had remained unmoved, keeping him at a polite but firm distance.

The whole of River City's elite knew the story.

So when word spread that Sara was engaged to Stefan, a man just released from prison, Marcus felt the insult like a physical blow.

He was the heir to the prestigious Winter family, denied by Sara, only for her to choose an ex-convict.

It made him look weak. Inferior.

And tonight, at the auction, he intended to prove otherwise.

"Are you threatening me?" Stefan asked, exhaling a slow stream of smoke. His eyes, sharp and cold, locked onto Marcus.

The air around them seemed to chill. A quiet tension spread, raising goosebumps on the skin of those standing close.

Stefan never responded well to threats. The urge to end this here and now flickered in his mind.

All he wanted was a little peace—a quiet evening—and yet here was another entitled fool trying to step on him just to feel tall.

He wouldn't tolerate it. Not now, not ever.

"Threaten you?" Marcus smirked, disdain flashing in his eyes. "I'm giving you an order. You're not worth threatening—just another convict."

Shouldn't it be Marcus saying something like that?

Murmurs broke out—some amused, others stunned. "Is he insane? Did prison rot his brain?"

"Or maybe he's just stupid. Does he really think he can talk to Mr. Winter like that?"

"He's getting ahead of himself. Even the head of the Stewart family wouldn't dare offend the Winters so openly."

A quiet voice added, "Don't forget—the Winters are close with Great Grandmaster Lionel Blackwood. Marcus' older brother is his personal disciple."

The reminder spread like a chill.

Lionel Blackwood was one of River City's four revered great grandmasters. His martial academy, the Blackwood Martial Arts Academy, carried weight few dared to challenge.

Zoey looked at Stefan as if he were already dead.

"You really are beyond saving," she said.