Chapter 4 Ethan's Kick

"Grace Anderson Shin, come with us or die at our hands?" Ekin asked in a firm and commanding tone.

Grace did not back down even an inch. She met Ekin's gaze with determined eyes. "I will not surrender, even if I have to die," she replied with unwavering resolve. "What you're doing will only make it harder for your boss to be freed."

Emil, who appeared more emotional, stepped forward with a face flushed with anger. "Don't forget! The evidence against him is all fabricated by you," he snapped, his voice trembling with rage. "You framed our boss for money. How much did that bastard pay you?"

Grace shrugged, a faint smile playing on her lips. "I have no intention of hurting you. But if that's what you want," she spun the stick in her hand, ready to fight, "I'll oblige!"

Emil and his men lunged forward, their sharp knives flashing toward Grace. Without hesitation, she blocked their simultaneous attacks. Her stick struck their hands, knocking the weapons from their grip.

In a matter of seconds, Grace kicked Emil in the stomach and struck his arm hard, sending him staggering backward. A fierce battle erupted in the room, with twelve men attacking a single young woman. Grace dodged every stab directed at her, twisting her body swiftly, leaping to kick one of them, while continuously swinging her stick at her opponents.

The sound of impact echoed sharply as her stick struck their bodies.

"Thud! Thud!"

Cries of pain filled the room. "Ahh!" one of them groaned after receiving a brutal blow.

Grace stepped forward, grabbed one of her attackers' hands, and with a swift motion, she pulled and slammed him onto a glass table.

"Crash!" The glass shattered into countless shards, and another pained scream followed. "Aahh!"

Several of Ekin and Emil's men lay sprawled on the floor, groaning in pain. Grace stood tall among them, her breathing steady. "Killing me won't ease your boss's anger," she stated firmly. "If he wants to fight me, Ethan Christopher must face me himself. You are not my match!"

Emil panted, clutching his sore arm. "How arrogant!" he snapped in frustration. "You are a corrupt prosecutor. There is no justice left in this country!"

"Get out of my house!" Grace ordered sternly, her sharp gaze piercing through them. "Next time, come prepared if you plan to take me down!"

"Are you just scared?" Ekin sneered, trying to provoke her.

Grace smirked. "I'm the only one who can free your boss. I trapped him, and I'm the only one who can clear his name."

Emil scoffed. "Are you just making excuses to save yourself? If you dared to betray us, why would you be afraid now?"

Grace stepped closer, locking eyes with them. "I framed Ethan Christopher to deceive Raymond Scott. And I'm the only one who can prove that he is the real culprit."

Ekin and Emil exchanged glances, trying to process her words.

---

The next day, Grace walked into the prison with a calm but firm demeanor. She sat across from Ethan in the visitor's room. His sharp eyes burned with fury, as if he wanted to devour her alive.

Without warning, Ethan shoved the table in front of him violently, causing Grace's chair to slide backward until she hit the wall. The screech of metal echoed through the room, but she showed no fear.

Ethan rose swiftly, closing the distance between them, his face filled with murderous intent. "You corrupt prosecutor, how much did they pay you to set me up? Believe it or not, I will kill you right here!" he growled, gripping her throat tightly, his fingers like steel clamps.

Grace gasped for air, clawing at his hands, but he didn't loosen his grip. Her breathing grew labored, but her gaze remained defiant. "Kill me, and you'll still rot in prison," she rasped, her voice weak but resolute.

Ethan's brow furrowed, his eyes darkening. "I'd rather be sentenced after killing you!" he hissed, lifting her off the ground with one hand.

In a desperate move, Grace raised both legs, wrapping them around Ethan's neck, trying to restrain him. But Ethan was faster-he slammed her body onto the cold floor.

"Thud!"

Ethan chuckled darkly. "Not bad. You're no ordinary prosecutor. Defeat me! If you can't, then just die at my hands!" He grabbed her throat again, squeezing even harder.

Struggling through the pain, Grace forced herself to stay calm. "Raymond Scott and Rinna... are having an affair," she whispered, her voice low but sharp.

Ethan froze, shocked by her words. His grip loosened slightly.

"Aren't you curious about who really framed you? Rinna is your girlfriend, isn't she?" Grace pressed, studying Ethan's now-conflicted expression.

"Your words prove nothing. Do you really think I'll believe you?" Ethan's voice was cold and skeptical. His piercing gaze bore into her as his grip tightened again, as if he wanted to crush her completely.

Grace inhaled deeply, ignoring the pain constricting her throat. Her eyes never wavered. "Ethan Christopher is the most feared gangster. There's no way you wouldn't notice your own girlfriend cheating with a politician. Their affair has been going on for two months," she stated, striking at his pride. Her words were like daggers, cutting into his defenses.

Ethan narrowed his eyes, his expression unreadable-too calm, as if he had already suspected it.

"What do you want from me?" he asked, his voice laced with anger, though his grip did not loosen.

"To bring down Raymond Scott," Grace answered. "I need your help."

Ethan scoffed, his smile cold and full of disbelief. "You think I'd help you? You damn woman!" he cursed before landing a brutal kick to Grace's chest.

The force of the kick sent her flying backward, crashing hard against the wall. She collapsed onto the floor, groaning in pain.

Gasping for breath, Grace tried to steady herself despite the searing pain spreading through her body. Her breathing was ragged, but her eyes remained locked on Ethan, refusing to back down.

"I will make sure you never live in peace!" Ethan spat, his voice low and menacing.

Despite the pain, Grace let out a small, knowing smile. "Killing me would be easy," she said, her tone unwavering. "But you'll end up spending your life in prison. Your name will be tarnished in the underworld, while Raymond's reputation remains spotless. Is that what you want?"

Her words stopped Ethan in his tracks. He stood still, watching her with a conflicted expression, his brow furrowed. Grace's words seeped into his mind like poison, shaking his resolve to kill her.

"File an appeal," she continued, sensing his hesitation. "I will bring all the evidence to court. I'll clear your name and take down Raymond Scott!"

Ethan remained silent, his thoughts racing. On one hand, his rage and thirst for revenge still burned, but on the other, doubt had begun to creep in.