Jessica Quinn pushed open the door to the private lounge, where quite a few people had already gathered. Just then, a young woman hurried over.
"Jess! You're finally here. I thought you weren't coming!" the woman said with a playful pout.
This was Jessica's college friend and close confidante, Amanda Owens.
"Traffic was horrible. Sorry I'm late," Jessica replied apologetically.
"I'm just teasing! But hey—who's that handsome guy behind you? Aren't you going to introduce him?"
Amanda nudged Jessica's arm playfully as she looked at Jack with interest.
"This is my neighbor, Jack. I brought him out to get a little taste of nightlife," Jessica said with a grin.
"I heard Dreamscape is members-only. You can't even get in without an invite. Thank God for Nathan, or I probably would've never had the chance to come here," Amanda said, glancing at a man nearby.
That man, Nathan Carter, was watching Jessica with possessive eyes that made Jack frown.
"Come on, let's sit and talk."
"Hey Nathan, I heard you're working as a manager at your dad's company now?" a lanky guy asked loudly.
"Yeah, just started not long ago," Nathan replied, clearly enjoying the attention.
"Man, that's impressive! We only graduated what—like a year ago? And you're already making six figures?"
A chubby guy leaned in with envy written all over his face.
Nathan chuckled modestly. "Barely broke a hundred grand. Mostly thanks to my family. Let's drink!"
He raised his glass and then turned to Jessica.
"Jessica, have a drink with me."
"I... I don't really drink," Jessica said with an awkward smile.
"A little bit won't hurt," Amanda coaxed gently.
Unable to refuse, Jessica raised her glass and clinked it with the others. As soon as she took a sip, she coughed violently, the alcohol clearly too strong for her.
"Jess, are you okay?" Amanda asked in concern. She had only encouraged Jessica to drink so as not to dampen the mood—now, seeing her reaction, she deeply regretted it.
"I'm gonna go to the restroom," Jessica said, pressing her fingers to her forehead.
"I'll go with you."
Amanda stood up to support her, and the two of them walked out together.
Ten minutes passed. When Jack noticed neither of them had returned, he stood and walked out to check on them.
"You let her go, or I'm calling the cops!" Amanda's panicked voice rang out.
"Call 'em! Go ahead!" a tattooed thug sneered, raising his hand—
Smack!
He slapped Amanda hard across the face. "You think you're too good to drink with me? Bitch, come have a drink with your man."
"Let. Her. Go."
A cold voice cut through the air like a blade.
Jack had arrived.
"You got a death wish, punk?" the thug roared and swung his fist.
But Jack was faster. He kicked the man square in the gut, sending him sprawling on the ground like a shrimp.
Jack stepped up to Jessica.
"You okay, Jess?"
Jessica rubbed her wrist and shook her head. "I'm fine."
Then she rushed to Amanda, helping her up. "Amanda! Are you okay?"
"I'm fine... just a slap," Amanda said, forcing a smile.
But the redness on her face said otherwise, and Jessica's eyes welled with tears.
"I'm okay, really. It'll fade in a few days." Amanda wiped Jessica's tears and smiled again. "Let's head back. The others are probably wondering where we are."
Jessica wiped her eyes and helped Amanda back to the lounge.
Inside, the others hadn't noticed anything was wrong. The lighting was dim, and no one saw Amanda's bruised cheek. The drinking resumed—until the door suddenly burst open with a bang.
A tattooed man stormed in, his eyes scanning the room until they locked on Jack.
"There he is! That's the guy who attacked me!" he shouted.
Another man walked in behind him—this one bigger, older, with a dragon tattoo winding down his arm.
"You dared to hit my boy?"
"And those two chicks too," the thug pointed at Jessica and Amanda.
"Hey, sir," Nathan jumped in, puffing his chest. "My father is Howard Carter, chairman of SkyTech Corporation."
The older man looked unimpressed. "Never heard of him. Any of you heard of him?"
"Nope."
"Not a clue."
Nathan tried again. "My dad's had drinks with the owner of Dreamscape Bar before!"
"Oh, drinks with the owner?" The man raised an eyebrow. "Fine. You can leave."
"Boss, maybe let those two ladies go too?" Nathan said hopefully.
"Scram. You think a cup of tea with the bar owner makes you hot shit?" the thug scoffed. "Our boss is the sworn brother of Dreamscape's owner!"
Nathan's face paled. His father had mentioned the owner had a street-brother known as "Black Dragon." Could this be him?
"You... you're Black Dragon?" Nathan asked nervously.
"That's right. Now beat it."
"Y-Yes, sir! Thank you, sir!"
Nathan turned and ran without looking back.
Black Dragon's eyes swept the room. "The three of you stay. Everyone else—get out."
Then he pointed at Jack.
"Get over here. Kneel and apologize to my man, Tony."
Jack didn't say a word. He simply stood up.
"Don't go!" Jessica called out, worried.
Jack flashed her a charming smile. Then his face turned cold as steel. He walked straight up to Tony—and bam!—kicked him clean out of the room.
"You little punk! Get him!" Black Dragon roared.
About twenty gangsters swarmed into the room.
Jack's expression didn't change. Calmly, methodically, he began striking back—one punch, one man. Within moments, the floor was littered with groaning bodies.
Only Black Dragon was still standing.
Jack turned to face him, a faint smile on his lips.
"Do you even know who my big brother is?" Black Dragon stammered, trying to sound intimidating. "If you don't get on your knees and beg, you'll be in deep trouble!"
Jack walked toward him step by step. Black Dragon's knees began to tremble uncontrollably.
Just then, the sound of rapid footsteps echoed from outside. A tall, well-dressed middle-aged man entered the lounge.
"Big bro! You're here!" Black Dragon exclaimed with relief. He shot Jack a smug look and made a cutting gesture across his neck.
"You're too late to beg now, boy."
But the man didn't even glance at Black Dragon. Instead, he hurried over to Jack, bowed respectfully, and said—
"Mr. Jack, sir. Here is the ownership contract for Dreamscape Bar."
He handed the document over with both hands.
Black Dragon stood frozen, stunned beyond words. If even his "big brother" treated this man like royalty… then he'd just royally screwed up.