Chapter 3 Confrontation and Fight

"Get out!" Howard growled, his voice reverberating like thunder, directed squarely at Charles. Terrified, Charles shivered as his legs buckled under him. The overwhelming aura emanating from Howard made him feel as if he were suffocating, on the verge of death. Without a second thought, Charles bolted from the restroom. "Quinnie, do you really not recognize me? Look closely. It's me, Howard," Howard said, his intimidating presence fading as he took a step forward. Quinn shook her head frantically. "Howard is dead. Who are you? Get away from me!" Seeing her reaction, Howard felt as though his heart was being shredded. He nodded. "All right, don't get worked up. I'll leave." Turning swiftly, Howard exited the restroom. As he looked up, he saw Charles returning with three security guards, their faces twisted with malice. "Quinn, get out here right now!" Charles bellowed as he stomped forward. "I asked you to stay late and clean, but you brought someone to beat me up? You've got a death wish!" Only Charles knew the truth. Despite Quinn's ruined face, her figure and porcelain skin hidden beneath the cleaning uniform could rival that of any celebrity. Tonight, he had planned everything to make her his, but this widow dared to call someone for help. Quinn was still in shock. She was certain Howard had been executed seven years ago. Yet, the man before her looked and acted so much like him. Hearing Charles's shouting, Quinn snapped back to reality. She realized the situation was escalating. Rushing out of the restroom, she saw Howard surrounded by Charles and three security guards. "Quinn, I never thought you'd bring a pretty boy here while pretending to be virtuous in front of me. You're truly a whore!" Charles sneered, his tone dripping with malice. Howard turned his gaze to Charles, his expression cold. Pointing to Quinn, he said, "Kneel down and apologize to Quinnie. I'll let this go the first time." "What?" Charles was momentarily stunned before bursting into laughter. "You think you can kill me with just a glare? There are four of us here. I'll crush you in seconds!" His laughter quickly faded as his face twisted in anger. He pointed at Howard and shouted, "Take him down!" The three security guards lunged at Howard simultaneously. That's when Howard moved. As the Supreme Commander of the Eight Divisions who had tens of thousands of soldiers under his leadership, it was an overkill to deploy his strength here. In a blur, Howard vanished from sight. Before the guards could react, three muffled thuds echoed in quick succession, and the guards were sent flying, landing on the floor with anguished cries. Charles was dumbstruck, his eyes darting between the guards writhing on the ground and Howard, who appeared as if he hadn't even moved. "This must be a ghost!" Charles shrieked, turning to flee. But Howard was faster. He grabbed the back of Charles's collar, his voice icy. "Kneel and apologize to Quinnie." Quinn stood frozen, terrified by the scene unfolding before her. She couldn't believe this man—who resembled Howard—was capable of such power. Charles, struggling against Howard's grip, roared, "You expect me to kneel and apologize to that ugly widow? Dream on!" Howard's hand lashed out in rapid succession, delivering five slaps that left Charles's face swollen and bleeding. Only then did he stop. "Kneel and apologize. This is your last chance," Howard said, his voice chillingly calm, as if it came from the depths of hell. To Charles, Howard's face was that of a demon. Trembling, he nodded repeatedly, turned around, and knelt before Quinn with blood streaming from his nose and mouth. "I… I'm sorry. Please forgive me," he stammered weakly before collapsing unconscious. Quinn stared at Howard in terror, then noticed Bianca standing nearby. With a cry, she ripped off her gloves and ran toward her daughter. Grabbing Bianca's hand, Quinn turned and fled without looking back. Breathless and disheveled, Quinn boarded a bus with Bianca in tow. She didn't know who this man claiming to be her husband was. All she wanted was to escape. As the bus pulled away, she glanced back and sighed in relief when she saw he hadn't followed. "Mom, that man is a good person. Why did we run away? He even took me to KFC," Bianca said, her head turning to look out the window, her face full of confusion. Tears welled in Quinn's eyes as she cupped Bianca's face. "How many times have I told you not to talk to strangers? Do you understand?" "But I was so hungry, and Mrs. Brook bullied me. The man helped," Bianca replied, her innocent face making Quinn cry even harder. The bus stopped at the farmers' market, and Quinn led Bianca inside. After Howard's death sentence, her younger brother Anthony had taken over their house. As a widow with no support, Quinn was no match for his overbearing attitude or their mother's favoritism. To ensure Bianca could attend school, Quinn had no choice but to move into the cramped and filthy farmers' market. Only after her father intervened did Felicia agree to waive the rent. Entering the dark, narrow hallway through the back entrance, Quinn climbed to the third floor and unlocked the door. The moment she pushed it open, she saw the lights were on. Standing in the middle of the room were several hooligans with dyed yellow hair, cigarettes dangling from their mouths. Felicia sat in the center, her head wrapped in gauze, glaring viciously.