Chapter 6 Go Ahead And Test Me

It was a fear so profound it pierced to the very marrow of her bones. What's going on? How could Norton, a pleb by any standard, inspire such a chilling dread in me? Serene couldn't help but tremble, her entire body shuddering. An illusion. It has to be an illusion. The murderous aura that had briefly radiated from Norton was now entirely gone, leaving Serene with no trace of it to sense. At that moment, Lucille was overcome with a deep sense of being moved. All she felt was the warmth of being shielded by her man. Beyond that, nothing else lingered. Howard's bodyguards regrouped, retreating to his side. Their voices trembled as they whispered, “Mr. Zulker, something's off about this guy. He might be an expert!” Smack! Howard slapped the bodyguard across the face in anger, snarling, “Are you blind or just plain stupid?” He then turned his cold gaze toward Norton. “Norton, I never thought you and your mother would be this stubborn. Did you enjoy thrashing me and my lady last night?” “You think you're something, huh? Don't accuse me of being a bully—take a good look at my bodyguard here. He's worth ten of you. If you've got half a brain, you'll drop to your knees, break your own limbs, and bow three times to me and Lily. Then hand over a hundred thousand as protection fee,” he demanded. “After that, I might be generous enough to let the ladies have a drink with me. Maybe I'll even spare your lives.” “Otherwise, my bodyguard will make you wish you'd never been born.” Howard's eyes shifted to Lucille and Serene, his intent to conquer them written all over his face. Suppressing the lethal anger rising within him, Norton spoke in a low voice, “This is a hospital. If there's something to discuss, let's handle it outside. Don't worry, I'll meet all your demands today.” Hearing this, Serene was furious. She snapped at Norton, “Are you insane? You're just asking for trouble!” Before she could continue, Lucille silenced her with a sharp look. Serene immediately fell quiet, not daring to say another word. Lucille's expression softened as she turned to Norton. “I can help you handle this,” she offered. “Thanks, but no need,” Norton replied firmly. “I don't let my woman fight my battles.” He turned to Lucille with a gentle request. “Could you take Ms. Anderson back to the ward and stay with my mother? I'll join you shortly.” Those words struck a deep chord in Lucille's heart, reaching the softest part of her soul. Without hesitation, she nodded and led Serene into the hospital room. “Gen— Ms. Jadeling, Norton, he...” Serene began. “Be quiet. I trust him.” For the first time, Lucille experienced the feeling of being truly cherished and protected. Her faith in Norton grew stronger, and her curiosity about him deepened. Outside the ward, the look on Norton's face darkened suddenly, and the temperature in the air seemed to plummet. “Let's go, Mr. Zulker,” the bodyguards reassured Howard. “Don't worry, the Zulker family is so powerful, those two women won't get far.” Without another word, Norton strode toward the hospital's underground parking garage. “Hmph, at least you know your place!” Howard sneered, motioning for his henchmen to guard the ward. He, Lillian, his bodyguard, and Bjorn followed after Norton. Once in the parking lot, Howard jeered, “Norton, I didn't think you'd bounce back so fast. Dumped by Lily, yet you've already snagged a beauty like that. Impressive. All right, show us what you've got!” Norton's voice dropped to an icy tone. “Howard, you shouldn't have touched my mother.” With a swift, calculated motion, Norton's kick shattered Howard's leg. Before anyone could react, he unleashed a flurry of attacks, breaking the legs of Howard's bodyguards, Bjorn, and the rest of the gang. The entire ordeal lasted less than two seconds. Lillian collapsed to the ground in sheer terror, her face pale. “Ahhh!” Howard and his cronies screamed in agony, their cries resembling the desperate squeals of pigs being slaughtered. Norton placed his foot on Howard's remaining unbroken leg. “You lunatic! Have you lost your mind?” Howard howled. “You broke my leg? You're finished! My uncle will wipe out your entire family!” Snap! Norton pressed down hard, and the sickening sound of bone snapping echoed in the garage. “Ahhh!” Howard could only watch in horror as Norton crushed his kneecap. “You're done for, Norton! My uncle will kill your entire family. Just you wait!” Smack, smack! “You broke my mother's leg,” Norton said coldly. “So I'll break both legs of everyone involved. I'm giving you a chance to make this right—prepare five million and apologize to my mother within two days. Otherwise, I'll ensure your family ceases to exist in Yarburn.” Howard and his followers were paralyzed with fear. Lillian, trembling, could barely keep from fainting. She didn't expect Norton to get so strong after a brief stint in prison. “You're done for, Norton!” she shrieked. “Just wait—” Smack! Norton's slap sent her sprawling to the ground. “You dare hit me?” she gasped. Smack! Norton moved so fast that his foot landed on her face before she could finish. “I'd even kill you. Go ahead and test me.” “You...” Lillian froze, unable to meet his cold, unforgiving stare. “You've got two days. Five million and an apology. If I don't see both, there's no need for the Zulker and Yandolf families to exist in Yarburn.” Back at the ward, Norton returned to find his mother still unconscious, but her injuries no longer posed a major concern. “Back so soon? Did they give you trouble?” Serene asked skeptically. “No, I reasoned with them,” Norton replied. “Reasoned? What do you take me for, a fool? Norton, I never thought you'd stoop so low, suggesting we drink with that idiot! I'll kill you!” Serene lunged at him but froze when Lucille shot her a withering glare. Just as Lucille was about to lose her cool, Norton gently caught her hand. “Why are you being so disobedient again? Haven't I told you not to get angry or lose your temper?” he asked. “Don't do it again.” “All right, I'll take your advice. I won't get angry or lose my temper.” Lucille, nodding obediently, figured that since Norton had come back safe, he must have handled everything properly. Norton turned to Serene and said, “Ms. Anderson, I don't understand what I've done to make you so hostile toward me. I have never been very competent. I couldn't even protect my own mother, I've been in prison, and I was cheated on right after I got out.” “But,” he continued, “I wasn't desperate enough to rely on selling off Ms. Jadeling or you just to survive.” He paused, adding, “Ms. Jadeling is hurt. Do you understand the consequences of upsetting her? If you've got issues with me, let's settle them after Ms. Jadeling is better!” Norton had always known about the deep hostility Serene felt towards him, but he never let it bother him. What bothered him was if she let it affect Lucille. Realizing her mistake, Serene quickly apologized to Lucille. “Serene, the person you should apologize to isn't me, it's Norton,” Lucille said. Though reluctant, Serene did as asked and apologized to Norton. At that moment, Norton asked curiously, “Ms. Jadeling, you two are soldiers, right?” “Yes, we're from the Military Department!” Lucille answered, clearly. She would be open about it if Norton wanted to know more. To her surprise, Norton's concern was obvious. “No wonder you're so badly injured. What's going on in the Military Department? Have all the men there been wiped out? How did you end up with such severe injuries?” “Ms. Jadeling, thanks for checking on my mom. You and Ms. Anderson should head home now. Be sure to rest well and stick to the diet and meds I gave you! I need to take my mom home, her injury will take about four days to heal. Once she's better, I'll come back to treat you,” Norton added. “If you feel any discomfort during that time, don't hesitate to let me know. Let's exchange phone numbers!” Though Norton wasn't part of the Military Department, he respected their confidentiality rules, so he refrained from asking too many questions. After exchanging numbers with Norton, Lucille and Serene left the hospital.