?<strong>Chapter 603:</strong>


    “Didn’t learn from the first lesson? I don’t mind reinforcing it for you,” Ken’s voice cut through the tension.


    Santino stammered, “N-No, that’s enough…”


    His body was trembling all over, and even Lindy, watching from a distance, felt uneasy. She recalled unsettling rumors about Ken and shivered. He exuded a calm exterior that concealed something deadly, like a tranquil sea hiding a violent current beneath the surface. One misstep, and you’d be pulled into a bottomless abyss, torn to pieces in an instant.


    “Ouch, that really hurts!” Santino grimaced, now desperate for mercy. “I’ll apologize however you want, just let go of my hand!” His tormentor was ruthlessly urate,nding blows on the most sensitive spots without causing life-threatening injuries, but enough to leave him certain that his jaw was fractured.


    Watching Santino cower, Allison couldn’t help a faint smirk. “Honestly, no point wasting energy on him. Besides, you’re getting those dirty,” she said, ncing down at Ken’s shoes.


    A flicker of menace crossed Ken’s eyes. “He crossed you, so he should face the consequences.”


    Allison blinked, surprised by the protective note in his tone. She could handle herself, but his defense stirred an unexpected warmth within her.


    Meanwhile, murmurs in the crowd grew louder.


    “Oh my God! Mr. Barker, what happened?” called a voice as a man in a uniform with a badge approached.


    Whispers circted among the bystanders. “Isn’t that Lenny Todd, the manager of Sunset Hill?”


    It was well-known that managers like Lenny had a direct line to the powerful figures who controlled Sunset Hill, a fact that set the crowd on edge as they remembered Santino’s earlier boasts. Sure enough, as soon as Santino saw the neer, he quickly regained his arrogance. His pain faded, reced with smug satisfaction.


    “Lenny! Finally, you’re here. These people are causing a scene here!” Eager for revenge, he barked, “Get them out of here, now!”


    “Yes, yes!” Lenny nodded, but as he took a closer look at the group, his face turned ghostly white. Just who had Santino messed with this time? Standing before him were Reba Green, the beloved daughter of the powerful Green family, and Ferdinand kely, heir to a massive advertising empire.


    But it was the man with the icy stare who made Lenny break into a cold sweat—Ken Lloyd, the CEO of Charisma Company, a figure constantly in the media spotlight. These were not people he could afford to cross.


    Santino, impatient with Lenny’s hesitation, pped his head sharply. “What are you waiting for? Teach them a lesson!”


    Lenny’s face flushed. He was at a loss for words. He really couldn’t afford to pick a fight with these people. He looked around, desperately hoping to shift his target. His gazended on a harmless-looking woman in front of him who seemed like the perfect victim.


    He pointed at her, trying to sound tough as he waved his phone. “How dare you defy Mr. Barker? Mr. Brennan is on his way, and once he’s here, you’ll be humiliated beyond belief. Now’s yourst chance—kneel and beg Mr. Barker’s forgiveness!”


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