Chapter 8 My Woman

Bobby sneered, his presence dominating the dimly lit room of Zlexvale's underbelly. The Umbra Alliance, his empire, loomed large over the city. Why should he concern himself with the fate of two mere women?

"Who do you think you are to order me? Since you don't want her to drink, are you willing to take her place?" He threw the challenge at Olivia, his voice dripping with disdain.

The room erupted in cruel laughter from his cohorts, all eyes on Olivia and Ruby as if they were mere playthings for their amusement.

Olivia's face blanched. Alcohol was her nemesis, and one wrong sip could send her spiraling into a medical emergency.

Bobby leaned forward, his gaze piercing. "The choice is yours, Ms. Harper. Seize the moment, or let it slip."

Ruby's grip tightened around the bottle, the weight of their predicament settling in.

"No, you can't..." Olivia's refusal came through clenched teeth, her resolve clear despite the palpable dread.

With a swift motion, Bobby's hand cracked across Olivia's cheek, his sneer more pronounced. "Fine, if she won't drink, you'll do it for her!"

Olivia, never accustomed to such brutality, recoiled. Her silence spoke volumes.

She knew better than to retaliate against a member of the Umbra Alliance.

The organization wielded power comparable only to Zlexvale's elite, such as Bruce, the city's richest man, and the influential Palmer Group.

Ruby knew Olivia's aversion to alcohol and the dire consequences of their situation, which now seemed a grave miscalculation in their attempt to get back a $20 million debt. She exhaled sharply. "I'll drink. You won't break your word, Mr. Dreskin!"

She tilted the bottle and consumed its contents, the foreign liquor scorching her throat like a blade followed by flames.

Bobby's laughter boomed across the room. "Well done, Ms. Harper! Straight to the point!"

Ruby felt as though a knife sliced through her throat, the intense burn nearly unbearable as she downed the last of the liquor.

As the effects of the alcohol deepened, she felt herself on the verge of collapse. With bleary eyes, she addressed Bobby. "Mr. Dreskin, I've finished this bottle of liquor. You should repay the 20 million debt to me now... I can't handle any more. I'll take my leave..."

But Bobby seized her wrist, smiling. "The money will definitely be repaid. I's rare to see such a straightforward woman like you, Ms. Harper. But we haven't had enough fun yet. Leaving now would surely be a slight to me, wouldn't it, Ms. Harper?"

Ruby's stomach turned, and Olivia was consumed by worry. The situation was quickly becoming dire, with Ruby at the mercy of Bobby.

"If that useless Dominik doesn't show up soon, Ruby will be in serious trouble!" Olivia anxiously murmured silently, stamping her foot in frustration, yet too fearful to confront Bobby herself.

Bobby's boss, Lorenzo, chairman of the Umbra Alliance, had spent his day practicing archery with Sylvia. It was not hard to understand that he was a man of great influence.

Ruby, barely able to stand, implored, "Mr. Dreskin, please let me go. I can't drink any more!"

"Just one more drink, then you're free to go." Bobby chuckled.

At her limit, Ruby yelled, "You bastard!" and hurled the bottle at Bobby's head.

Bang!

Bobby staggered back, clutching his head and moaning.

"You bitch!" he roared in fury and delivered a kick to Ruby's abdomen, sending her sprawling.

Olivia, witnessing the scene, turned ghostly pale with shock. She had never imagined Ruby would fight back so fiercely.

Oh no! Olivia knew that Ruby was in deep trouble.

"What's wrong with you? Forcing a woman to drink!" At this critical moment, the door to the private room flew open, and Dominik strode in, his voice cold as ice.

Ruby's body, sent flying backwards, landed right in front of Dominik. He quickly stepped forward, allowing her to lean gently against him.

As her consciousness waned, Ruby glanced at the man supporting her and then closed her eyes, falling unconscious.

Dominik, his expression dark, walked over to Bobby and delivered a sharp slap to his face.

With a loud smack, Bobby was lifted off the floor, spinning twice in the air before crashing down heavily.

Olivia watched Dominik in horror. This man, merely a prison guard, had dared to strike someone from the Umbra Alliance for Ruby's sake!

The Umbra Alliance members at the table rose swiftly. They advanced towards Dominik without a word.

Dominik's face remained impassive as he held Ruby with one arm and guarded her with the other. His legs moved swiftly, striking like lightning. Soon, the attackers were sprawled on the floor, clutching their stomachs, completely defeated.

"It's none of my business if you drink, but bullying my wife is another matter," said Dominik coldly, stepping on Bobby's head.

Bobby screamed in pain and roared, "Kid, you're in trouble. Do you know who you're offending? We are from the Umbra Alliance! My boss is Lorenzo, Mr. Stewart!"

Dominik's face showed nothing but disdain as he replied indifferently, "So you're just Mudskipper's henchmen. Since when did you have the right to bully my woman?"