The Unshackled King (by David Wu) novel Chapter 70

"Christy, if you have a problem with me, fine—say it to my face. But why drag someone else into it? Is this how you treat customers?"

Eliza's voice trembled with anger. She could handle being insulted herself, but Stefan didn't deserve this. He was only here because of her. And now this woman was tearing him down too.

Christy laughed, "Am I wrong? Look at him—textbook broke loser. And you? A gold-digging little bitch. Honestly? You two deserve each other. Trash with trash."

She had every reason to be confident. Her boyfriend was the mall manager. One word from him and these two would be thrown out on the street.

SMACK.

Stefan's hand connected with her face before anyone could react.

Christy hit the floor. Blood trickled from her lip. She stared up, stunned.

"I don't usually hit women." Stefan's voice was calm. "But you're not a woman. You're a rabid dog. Biting everyone who walks by. And apparently blind too."

Christy's shock turned to fury. She scrambled up, pointing a shaking finger at him.

"You—you broke loser—you hit me? Do you have any idea who I am?"

"I hit you. And now you're going to learn how to be a human being. Apologize."

"Apologize? After you hit me?!"

She was practically vibrating with rage. She grabbed her phone. "Don't you dare move. I'm calling my boyfriend. You're dead."

Stefan shrugged. "Move? I haven't even finished shopping."

He turned back to the racks, completely ignoring her.

Christy's call connected. Her voice shifted instantly—tears, trembling, the whole performance. "Baby... some loser started a fight in my store... He hit me... please, you have to come... I need you..."

"What? Someone hit you? In my mall? I'll be there in five minutes."

The line went dead. Christy smirked through her tears.

"You're finished. Both of you. My boyfriend's coming. Let's see how tough you are when you're begging on your knees."

Stefan didn't even look at her. He'd picked out a few more pieces and handed them to Eliza. "Go try these on."

Eliza hesitated—her stomach was twisting—but Stefan's calm was steady. Solid. She nodded.

Eliza caught her reflection in the mirror, then turned to Stefan. There was something shy in her eyes. Hopeful.

"Okay?" Stefan laughed. "Eliza, you look like a goddess. I'm seriously regretting not making a move back in high school. Think it's too late now?"

Her cheeks went pink. Then she smiled—a real smile, warm and bright. Her eyes curved into crescents.

Before she could respond... A man stormed into the store, face dark with rage. Security guards flanked him, clubs in hand.

"Britton!"

Christy rushed toward him, her face a perfect picture of wounded innocence.

Britton Jensen took one look at the red mark on her cheek and his expression darkened. "Which piece of shit did this?"

Christy's arm shot out, finger stabbing the air toward Stefan. "Him! That loser right there!"

Britton's gaze followed—landed on Stefan for half a second—then locked up completely on Eliza.

Eliza hadn't changed out of the dress yet, and honestly? She could've started a religion looking like that. Fresh-faced, skin glowing, curves that curved in exactly the right places. But those legs—long, bare, and apparently designed by some higher power to make men forget their own names—had him temporarily questioning everything, including whose side he was supposed to be on.