Chris turned around to glance at Karen, but his eyes instead locked with Zack's. The two stared at each other, both overwhelmed with despair, while Chris's fists clenched involuntarily.
"So, are you going to do what I told you?" Karen snapped, her voice sharp. "Or would you rather watch yourself get kicked out of this house?" Her words threw Ava and Zack right into the spotlight.
"Why are you staring at me?" Zack scoffed, throwing a mocking grin at Chris. "Your foster mother asked you a question, not me! So go ahead and answer her. Don't look at me like I'm your destiny helper," he sneered, his tone dripping with satire meant solely to ridicule.
As the air thickened with tension, Chris slowly averted his eyes, staring down at the floor.
"I'll do it," he muttered in a heavy, drawn-out voice. "I'll work for Zack... as his bodyguard," he added stiffly, while Zack smiled in satisfaction.
"Good boy," Zack said smugly, patting Chris's shoulder as if he were a child. "You've made the right call. At least now, your kids won't suffer for your sins."
"If that's what you all wanted to hear, then fine—I've said it," Chris said immediately, stepping away. "I'll be on my way now."
He was just about to walk off when Karen's sharp voice rang out.
"Wait!"
Chris stopped in his tracks and turned back at once.
Without a word, Karen flung a box toward him. It landed with a thud at his feet, its lid flipping open to reveal what was inside.
"Those are the clothes you'll wear to Mr. Leonard's event tonight," she said coldly. "Put them on. I won't have anyone there knowing you're my adopted son."
Chris picked up the box and silently walked away. Behind him, Zack's lips curled into a cruel grin. This was exactly what he wanted. An open stage to humiliate Chris. And Chris knew it too—he understood that what awaited him at the event was worse than shame. But he had no choice. He had to accept Karen's terms.
He agreed to serve as Zack's bodyguard because he couldn't afford to be thrown out of that house. It was the only place protecting his identity. And once he left, everything he'd worked to conceal could be exposed.
The following day, Chris was swamped with house chores and couldn't make it to Asstas Company. Karen didn't tolerate excuses—if he didn't get the work done, she'd have a reason to kick him out.
Night came quickly, and Karen reminded him of the event—as though it mattered more than anything else.
Swallowing his rage, Chris dressed and left for Zack's launch. The banquet was massive, one of the largest in all of Otlanto. No sooner had he arrived than a waiter approached.
"The boss is expecting you," the waiter said politely.
Chris followed him to the fourth floor, which was lined with a variety of rooms. When they reached Room 002, the waiter gestured.
"Wait here. He'll come for you."
Chris nodded and stood firm outside the room. But after what felt like forever, impatience began bubbling inside him. His anger simmered beneath the surface.
He was sure they'd made him wait on purpose. Still, he restrained himself. He remembered the waiter's warning:
"Sir Zack hates being knocked for. It's one of his biggest pet peeves."
But Chris had had enough. Ignoring the advice, he raised his hand and knocked.
Within a minute, the door flung open.
"How dare you knock on this door? Have you lost your manners?" came a sharp voice.
Chris looked up and saw Alice, wrapped in a towel, standing in the doorway.
He clenched his fists, his teeth grinding with impatience.
"Oh… it's you," Alice said, her tone slightly softening. "Of course it had to be someone like you—someone who can't follow simple instructions."
"You waited for me to knock before opening, didn't you?" Chris asked through gritted teeth, his voice calm but heavy with anger.
"Are you accusing me?" she shot back, eyes narrowing. "You're saying I made you wait on purpose, right?"
"I didn't say that, Alice. And I'm not here for you," Chris replied, refusing to meet her gaze. "I'm here for your toy—Zack Leonard."
"Excuse you?" came Zack's voice from behind.
Alice stepped aside to let him approach.
"You clearly have no manners," Zack said, his tone rising. "I hired you to guard me, and here you are insulting my woman. What planet are you from?"
"If you don't need my services, I'll take my leave," Chris said coolly, offering Zack a contemptuous glance.
Zack chuckled at Chris's boldness and stepped aside, allowing him into the room.
Once inside, Zack closed the door. He turned toward Alice and shot her a peculiar look—an exchange that carried meaning only the two of them understood.
Alice gave him a subtle nod, silently confirming something.
Chris narrowed his eyes. "So… what am I doing here exactly?" he asked, turning to face them both. "I thought a bodyguard's job was to stay outside, not be summoned into private quarters."
"There's a reason you're here, Chris," Zack said, pouring himself a glass of wine. He strolled toward Chris shirtless, looking far too pleased.
Chris raised a brow. "And what might that be?"
Zack walked over to the bed and sat down. Alice joined him, her hands gliding sensually across his bare torso. Chris's rage flared at the sight.
"What the hell is this?" he demanded, his voice sharp with disgust.
Alice didn't stop. She eased onto Zack's lap, her thighs draping around him shamelessly.
Before Chris could react, Zack leaned in and licked Alice's ear. Then, with a sinister smile, he spoke.
"As my bodyguard, your job is to protect me in every way possible," he said. "So, I want you to stand there and watch while I make love to your darling ex-wife."
"This is part of your payment, isn't it?" he added mockingly, slipping his fingers down Alice's backside.
Chris's entire body tensed, and something inside him stirred—his Dragon heart blazing with fury.
They had just awakened the beast.
What happens next?