Brian Ford pointed at the electronic clock on the building across the street. “It’s getting late, big sis. We’ve had breakfast and wandered around here and there along the way, and now it’s already past nine…”

Emily Carter smiled without saying a word, leading the three of them as they squeezed into the crowd.

※※※

To be honest, for a lazy person like Brian Ford, shopping and squeezing through crowds is one of the most unbearable things. Being packed together with so many strangers, hand to hand, back to back, and if it’s hot, it doesn’t take long before you’re drenched in sweat, all sticky and uncomfortable—of course, if you’re surrounded by beauties, that’s another story. Another downside of crowds is that it’s easy to run into pickpockets…

Suddenly, Emily Carter felt her butt get touched. At first, she thought it was a pervert, but when she reached back, she realized something was off—there was nothing behind her, and the shoulder bag that should have been there was gone! Only two lonely bag straps dangled with the movement of her arm…

“Catch the thief!!”

The once-crowded throng suddenly parted down the middle.

“That bunch of bast—” Brian Ford hadn’t finished speaking when he saw William Reed dash out, targeting the pickpocket up ahead who was fleeing in panic, still clutching Emily Carter’s bag.

Brian Ford had never seen anyone run so fast. Even though they were about twenty meters apart, William Reed shot forward more than five meters in a single sprint! He stood there dumbfounded, completely forgetting he should be helping.

Because there were so many people in this area, there was only a single straight path, making it hard for the thief to escape. If he made it out the front, there’d be a wide open space… and then the thief would have too many ways to run.

I have to take him down right here! That’s what William Reed was thinking. In his eyes, he was getting closer and closer to the thief, while the thief was also getting closer to the exit.

Just as the thief thought he had it in the bag, someone suddenly stepped out at the intersection. The man was tall and burly, and just standing there gave off an inexplicable sense of pressure. Now, with his body slightly crouched and arms spread wide, he completely blocked off any escape route.

“Bast… bastard! Get out of my way! Move!” the thief shouted frantically, now brandishing a knife.

A wave of screams rippled through the crowd.

William Reed suddenly lunged forward, then shifted his weight back, leaping into the air. His right foot shot up in a flying kick, landing squarely on the thief’s knife-wielding wrist even at high speed. With a clang, the knife fell to the ground.

At the same time, a shiny object struck the back of the thief’s head, catching him off guard and sending him tumbling forward.

The tall guy guarding the thief’s front took the opportunity to grab both of the thief’s hands, twist them behind his back, and force him to the ground.

Only then did the crowd erupt in cheers. Brian Ford shot a glare at these fair-weather fans and ran over with Emily Carter.

“Are you okay? You didn’t get hurt, did you?” Emily Carter asked William Reed with concern. The person she was worried about stood up, patted the dust off his clothes, and said, “I’m fine, thank you for your concern, miss. Brother Brian, sorry for getting your clothes dirty.”

Brian Ford coughed, and only then did William Reed realize he was being too polite, which didn’t quite fit the previous tone. Just as he was wondering how to explain, the burly guy holding down the thief helped him out. “Is this your wallet?” He held out a cute Snoopy fabric wallet to Emily Carter, and Brian Ford finally noticed how big the guy’s hands were…

Emily Carter took the wallet and thanked him.

“Ahem!” A cough came from behind the three of them. “Hey beautiful, don’t forget to thank me too!” The voice sounded a bit slick and sleazy, not leaving a good impression. But when Brian Ford, Emily Carter, and William Reed turned around, they were surprised to see that the speaker was actually a rather handsome young man—hard to match his looks with that voice.

“Why should we thank you?” Brian Ford disliked that oily voice, and naturally disliked its owner as well, so he retorted grumpily.

The newcomer bent down to pick up a tennis ball from the ground and flashed what he thought was a suave smile at Emily Carter. “That ball was kicked from my foot and just happened to hit the thief on the back of the head.”

The burly guy still holding down the thief looked up, and everyone finally saw that this strong guy was also a young man.

The handsome youth and the burly youth locked eyes, and in that instant, Brian Ford could almost hear the crackle of sparks in the air…

“Wild Boar! Are you here to ruin my plans again?!” the handsome youth shouted, bending down.

“Cut the crap, I just happened to be passing by.” The youth called “Sam” sat on the ground, looking up at the other, showing no sign of backing down. In stark contrast to the handsome youth, he had thick eyebrows, big eyes, a square face, broad shoulders, and a sturdy build, giving off an honest vibe.

“Nonsense! Then why do you show up every time I try to hit on a pretty girl?” The handsome youth leaned in, almost head to head with him.

“This city’s not that big. It’s normal to run into each other a lot.”

“Let me tell you, don’t think you’re so great just because some ignorant people call you my nemesis!”

“I’m not interested.”