Standing still, unmoving, I continued to hold the sleeping Sonya. Inwardly, I wondered: Would he really attack? While his sister is still in my arms?

Maximus, fists clenched, his wild eyes shifted from my face to Sonya's, sleeping peacefully in the crook of my arm. He saw how she slept soundly, even snuggling slightly into my chest, not looking at all like someone kidnapped or in danger.

Slowly, his heavy breathing began to subside. The feral anger receded, replaced by an internal struggle clearly visible on his face.

He let out a long sigh, his shoulders slumped, and the energy around him faded.

"I... I'm sorry," he finally said, his voice still tense but much more controlled. His eyes no longer held pure hatred, but were still full of suspicion.

"I panicked. I... I worry about my sister a lot. She rarely stays out this late without a word. I thought something had happened," he explained, looking at Sonya again, and there was genuine tenderness in his gaze.

I was a little disappointed he didn't end up attacking. I was ready to give him a little lesson.

"That doesn't give you the right to make wild accusations and nearly attack someone," I said in an annoyed tone, maintaining the character of the irritated stranger.

Maximus nodded, though his jaw was still tight. "I know. Sorry. But now, please hand over my sister. I'll take her home."

I thought for a moment. Keeping Sonya would raise further suspicion and trigger a confrontation I didn't want yet. With some reluctance—because holding her was actually quite comfortable—I gave a slow nod.

"Alright. But be careful, she's fast asleep."

I stepped closer and carefully transferred Sonya's limp form into Maximus's arms. He took her adeptly, one arm supporting her back, the other under her knees, exactly as I had done.

The moment Sonya fully passed from my embrace to his, a subtle change occurred in the air.

Once he was holding his sister, it was as if a switch flipped inside Maximus. The apologetic, genuinely worried expression vanished. What remained was a cold stare, full of hatred and threat, now directed entirely at me.

And before I could say anything, with a quick, sly motion, he launched a low, hard side kick aimed at my leg!

'I knew this wouldn't end so peacefully,' I thought calmly.

I didn't move away. Instead, with a much faster reaction, I slightly lifted my foot and stepped down, precisely trapping and pinning the toe of Maximus's boot mid-kick before it could gain momentum.

Tap!

Maximus was shocked, his eyes wide. He tried to pull his leg back, but I held it firmly for a split second before releasing it. He staggered back slightly but quickly stabilized himself, not wanting to drop Sonya.

"What are you doing?!" I now asked with genuine anger in my tone, though inwardly I was cold. "You just apologized, and then you try to kick me?!"

Maximus fully withdrew his foot, his face flushed with embarrassment, rage, and surprise. He looked at me with a gaze that now held a reevaluation.

"You're lucky," he hissed, his voice low and venomous, "that I'm carrying my sister. I don't want to disturb her sleep."

He took a step closer and glared at me with eyes radiating pure menace. "Listen carefully, whoever you are. Break up with my sister. Right now. Delete her number, block her, and never go near her again."

I stood tall, challenging his gaze. "Or what?"

"Or," Maximus continued, each word enunciated clearly and with murderous intent, "I will find you. I will destroy you. And I will make sure no one ever finds your body. My sister is too good for a bastard like you. She deserves better. And I'll make sure she gets it, with or without your consent."

'Where did he get the conclusion I'm a bastard from our first meeting,' I thought, amused.

He stared at me for a few more seconds, as if ensuring his threat was absorbed, then turned without another word. With determined steps, he started walking back down the path, leaving me alone at the summit of Skyview Overlook.

I stood there, watching his back slowly disappear into the darkness. The night wind blew, carrying the sound of his fading footsteps. Then, slowly, a smile appeared on my lips. A cold, anticipatory smile.

.

.

.

As the Headmistress of Nine Stars Academy, Ophelia was accustomed to being the last one to leave the grand building. However, for the past few days, a strange urge had been growing within her—a desire to go home earlier. A vague restlessness pulled her from her office before the sky turned completely dark.

That evening, as usual, she chose to walk home. Her house wasn't far, and as a high-ranking Awakener, safety wasn't an issue. Besides, walking gave her time to think and enjoy the city without rushing.

On the way, at a fairly busy street corner, she saw a group of teenage boys gathered around a lamp post. They were snickering, pointing, and occasionally whistling.

Ophelia, who usually ignored such things, only glanced briefly. It seemed they were making fun of a poster pasted on the post.

She kept walking, but a few meters later, on a shop wall, the same poster was displayed again. This time, without the crowd, her eyes accidentally caught the words on it. And she stopped.

The poster depicted the silhouette of a woman arching in ecstasy, drawn in a simple but highly suggestive line art style. Above it, written in bold, enticing font:

"FEELING WEARY, LADY?"

"BODY ACHING? MIND EXHAUSTED? STRESS PILING UP?"

"SPECIAL THERAPY FOR YOU."

"We offer deep tissue massage and stress relief therapy that will relax your body COMPLETELY and calm your mind DOWN TO THE ROOT."

"Guaranteed SATISFACTION and ADDICTION. Contact: xxx-xxx-xxx (For adult women only)."

The phrases seemed ordinary on the surface, but there was a very clear double meaning. Words like "deep," "completely," "down to the root," "satisfaction," and "addiction" seemed deliberately chosen to evoke another interpretation.

Ophelia read it once, twice. And unconsciously, between her thighs, in the crease of her groin hidden by her business skirt, a warm, disturbing tingling sensation arose.

'This poster... it wasn't here before,' she thought, trying to divert her attention. The person who made this must be a sick, perverted individual.

She shook her head, trying to shake off the discomfort, and quickly continued her walk home.

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