The moment the two younger guards shouted their challenge at Max, Nesa's eyes snapped toward them.
It wasn't just a glance. It was a cold, razor-edged glare that could have sent them scurrying back to their mothers' arms if sheer willpower alone could make it so.
Those two troublemakers… Johna and Mateo, she thought with a weary sigh. Recently they've been getting a lot of praise from one of the Chiefs. They're the so-called "up-and-coming talents" who pulled off a few assignments that turned out harder than expected. And now, because of that, they've been strutting around with swollen egos, running their mouths like they're untouchable.
Her gaze shifted briefly toward Darno, who stood at the edge of the sparring mats, arms folded with his usual smugness.
I should have known this would happen. I warned Mr. Heart that if he let Darno act however he pleased, the others would start mimicking his behavior. Anyone who's even remotely talented will think they can misbehave without consequence. And here it is, proof.
Still, a small part of her couldn't fully blame Johna and Mateo. Max had been introduced as someone from a rival VC company, a supposed "competitor." And Fortis guards had pride.
"Come on, Miss Nesa!" Johna complained, his voice echoing through the training hall. He jabbed a thumb toward Max. "You know how it is, these people in suits always talk big, act like our job's easy. I bet this guy's never even been punched in the face. He's probably just some rich brat who hides behind his big bodyguard."
"A real man fights with his own fists, not behind someone else's!" Mateo added, his tone sharp and heated. "If he wants to run his mouth, then he'd better be ready to back it up in the ring!"
A ripple of laughter passed through the watching guards. It wasn't cruel, just amused, the way brothers laughed at a shared joke.
But to Nesa, the scene was anything but funny.
Idiots, she thought darkly. They don't realize how serious this is. This boy isn't just a visitor. He's a representative of the group that owns this entire company now. They want to punch their new boss. If they knew what they were risking, they'd be groveling at his feet.
Darno, meanwhile, observed the scene with quiet interest. He wasn't laughing.
That kid's got a short fuse, Darno noted silently. Same look he had back at the parking lot when I nearly clipped him. He was tensing up even then, ready to throw hands.
He remembered the way Max had stepped forward toward his car, fists clenched, eyes cold. Most people flinched in the face of anger, but Max hadn't.
They say redheads are fiery… guess that might be true. Too bad it won't matter if Johna and Mateo get to him first. Shame I'm not the one doing it.
Max considered the challenge carefully.
Part of him was tempted. A fight might be useful to gauge where his own skills stood now. His strength had dipped slightly ever since spreading his resources thin across multiple ventures, the gyms, the restaurants, and now this security company. The constant shifting of funds affected the mysterious power that tied to his wealth, and he could feel the difference in his body.
He was confident it would climb back up by the end of the month when revenue from the new businesses fully rolled in, but still… it would be useful to know his limits.
But as quickly as the idea came, he dismissed it.
If he fought and won, it would prove nothing. And if he lost, it would stir up trouble he didn't need. More importantly, fighting these men wouldn't help him achieve anything tangible.
He straightened slightly, his voice calm yet firm.
"Fighting with your fists isn't the only way to fight," Max said. His tone carried an edge of disdain that cut through the hall. "People like you… when you're about to lose an argument, when you've been cornered, you always fall back on the same excuse: 'At least I could beat you in a fight.'"
The words made Johna and Mateo stiffen.
"So say you beat me up," Max continued, tilting his head slightly. "And then what? Does it change the fact that my hired guard just bested two of your people? Does it change the fact that I'm where I am, and you're where you are? Beating me won't change anything. Fighting the way you're fighting won't resolve a thing."
For a second, silence lingered. Then someone snorted. Another chuckled.
"Well… he got you there," one of the other guards muttered, and a few more laughed quietly.
Johna and Mateo's ears burned. Their pride felt like it had been stomped on. They clenched their jaws, fighting back the urge to bark back. The laughter of their peers only made it worse.
If you didn't have that guard standing behind you, Johna thought viciously, you wouldn't be talking like that. Back in the old days, you'd be licking my boots just to survive.
They kept their mouths shut, but the frustration in their eyes said everything.
Since Na had already proven his strength by defeating two guards in quick succession, Max decided it was better to end the display there and move on with the tour.
"Na, come down," Max called casually.
Na gave a short nod and stepped off the mats, his broad figure looming silently behind Max again.
Almost immediately, complaints rose from the watching guards.
"What? No, he can't just walk away like that after taking out two of ours!" one shouted.
"This isn't fair, we can't just stop here. We're supposed to be the best of the best. We have to show him what we've got!"
"Yeah!" another called out. "If he leaves now, they'll think we're weak!"
Their voices overlapped until one particular suggestion cut through the noise:
"Darno's here, right? Why don't we have him fight Na?"
"Yeah! Darno should fight him! He's our best! Let him prove it!"