Kaia looked at Derek in surprise.
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Derek lifted his chin, all puffed up with pride. “Miss Bennett, Mr. Graham is a big deal. He’s strong and proud. How can you compare some random bodyguard to someone like him? You’d better watch yourself, or you might regret it.”
“Oh? Is he that amazing?” Kaia chuckled.
Joel, still pretending to be Frank, felt a bead of sweat slide down his forehead. He wanted to tear Derek apart but kept still.
Derek continued, “Mr. Graham has a powerful backer. You’ve probably heard of her—it’s Dr. Bennett, the one who made that new nanomaterial that shocked the world.
“If you mess with Mr. Graham, you’re going up against Dr. Bennett. Even if you beg Mr. Keaton Moreno for help, Dr. Bennett probably won’t care what he says.”
He expected Kaia to look scared and start treating him with more respect. But when he glanced at her, she was still calm as ever, not a hint of fear in her face.
That ticked him off. “Miss Bennett, I don’t think you understand how serious this is.”
“What’s so serious? You think Mr. Graham and Dr. Bennett would waste their time on me over something small, huh? You think they’re that bored? Or that petty?” Kaia shot him a cold look.
“If those big shots are really that small–minded, then you’re the one who should be worried,” she added.
Derek’s mouth clamped shut. His face went pale, then green.
He’d planned to teach Kaia a lesson, but she ended up flipping it on him. And the worst part was- everything she said made sense, and he couldn’t argue back.
Just then, Tobias came home from work. “Are all the bodyguards chosen?” he asked Derek.
“Yes, all done. These are the best of the best. Especially this new team leader–he’s top–notch,” Derek said, pointing at Joel.
Tobias studied Joel for a moment, then turned to his assistant and head bodyguard, Devin. “Go spar with him. See how good he really is.”
“Yes, sir.” Devin stepped forward. “Should I hold back?”
Before Tobias could answer, Joel said, “No need.”
“Oh? Pretty confident, huh?” Devin cracked his knuckles. “Just so you know–none of the guys you
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Chapter 26
fought earlier could beat me. I’m on a whole different level.”
Joel didn’t even blink. “Go ahead.”
“Cocky fighters–I like that,” Devin said with a grin.
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But in his head, he decided to knock Joel down a notch–not to humiliate him, just to remind him that there was always someone better, and that too much pride could ruin a bodyguard’s work.
Kaia walked up to Tobias. “I think you should tell Devin to go all out.”
Tobias raised a brow. “Is this guy really that good?”
“How do you think Devin compares to me?” Kaia asked instead of answering.
Tobias thought for a moment. “Maybe not quite as good as you.”
Kaia glanced at Joel, who was stretching his shoulders. “If I fought him, I’d probably lose.”
That actually shocked Tobias.
“Begin!” Derek shouted, acting as referee.
Devin and Joel clashed instantly. It was a fierce fight between two experts, fast and sharp, almost too quick to follow.
Watching them, Tobias started to believe Kaia. “He’s really good.”
Kaia stayed quiet. She knew if Joel weren’t holding back to protect his identity, Devin would’ve been on the ground already.
Five minutes in, their fists slammed into each other with a loud whoosh. Both stepped back.
“Not bad. I’m impressed,” Devin said, laughing and patting Joel’s shoulder like one warrior to another.
Joel glanced at the hand on his shoulder. If it weren’t for Kaia, he would’ve tossed Devin halfway across the yard on instinct.
“Your fighting style is a lot like Mr. Graham’s. Are you also a fan of his?” Devin asked.
“You’re a fan of his, huh?” Joel asked back.
“Of course!” Devin’s face lit up. “He’s my all–time favorite fighter. I’ve watched every single one of his matches–they’re incredible. My biggest dream is to spar with him, just once, and get a few tips. If I could do that, I’d die happy.”
Joel’s face tightened in shock. Kaia almost burst out laughing.
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Chapter Vo
“That’s enough. Devin Tobias said coolly
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Devin looked embarrassed. “Yes, sir. Sorry, Ljust get carried away when I talk about my idol
Tibias turned to Kaia. “It’s not safe right now. Pick a few of these guys as your personal bodyguards.”
Kaia raised her fist. “Do you think I need bodyguards?”
Tobias couldn’t help staring at her hand–smooth, perfect and felt a strange flutter in his chest.
He’d seen Kaia fight before. She was as skilled as his mother. And she was Myles’s student.
Still, Tobias thought she should have extra protection. He was about to try convincing her when Kaia changed her mind. “I can fight, but just in case I slip up, it’d be good to have someone watching my back. I’ll take one,”
You’re right.” Tobias nodded.
Kaia pointed at Joel. “I’ll take him.”
She chose him to help keep his real identity hidden.
But just as she was thinking this, Tobias’s deep voice suddenly brushed against her ear, carrying a hint of danger. “What? Is he your type? You like him, huh?”
AD
