Sarah Baker stuck out her tongue and smiled, when suddenly there was a knock at the door. “Julia, your, um, your colleague is back.”

Julia Cooper wiped her hands and rushed to the door, but she was puzzled—her keys on the table were missing. Could it be that it wasn’t Edward Clark who took them?

She opened the inner door and looked out through the security door. A tall, burly man was standing there. Julia Cooper was taken aback. “Who are you looking for?”

“Does Sarah Baker live here?” the man asked in a low voice.

“Sarah Baker, someone’s here for you.” Julia Cooper opened the door.

Sarah Baker came out, wiping her hands. “Who would come looking for me here? If there’s something, why not just call?” When she saw the man walk in, her expression suddenly changed, and she shrieked, “Julia, don’t let him in!”

Julia Cooper was startled and instinctively tried to close the door, but the man shoved hard, forcing Julia Cooper back two steps, her face paling.

The man glared at Julia Cooper, then turned to fix a cold stare on Sarah Baker. “Sarah, why aren’t you answering my calls? Why are you avoiding me?”

But Sarah Baker had already regained her composure. “I’m avoiding you? What a joke. Mark Brooks, we’ve already broken up for good. I’m just asking you to save face for both of us, can’t we part on good terms?”

“No way. We’ve been together for two years. You can’t just break up because you say so.” Anger flared in Mark Brooks’s eyes. “You owe me an explanation!”

“Explain what? I don’t like you.” Sarah Baker retorted, refusing to back down. “Now please leave. Thank you.”

“You dare say that again?” Suddenly, Mark Brooks’s tone softened, his whole body trembling, voice choked with tears. “Sarah Baker, I really can’t live without you, I…”

Julia Cooper was getting a headache just listening, not knowing how to resolve such a mess. “Mark Brooks, right? Maybe we should all calm down…”

Before she could finish, Mark Brooks roared, “None of your business!” His eyes flashed coldly as he suddenly grabbed Julia Cooper’s arm. With his left hand, he raised a bottle filled with liquid. His hand was shaking, and a few drops splashed onto his own hand. “Sarah Baker, I can’t live without you. I’ll do whatever you say. I’ll work hard and make lots and lots of money, just please don’t leave me. Otherwise—” A vicious glint appeared in his eyes. “I’ll ruin her face with sulfuric acid.”

Julia Cooper couldn’t understand why Sarah Baker wouldn’t be with him, and now he wanted to ruin her own face. But there was no time to think—she could only try to save herself. “Mark Brooks, calm down! You have to know that what you’re doing is illegal!”

“Put the bottle down! We can talk this out!” Sarah Baker was anxious too.

“As long as you promise not to leave me.” Mark Brooks’s face lit up with hope. “I’ll put the bottle down.”

Before Sarah Baker could reply, a cold voice rang out, “Get out now, while you still can.”

Startled, Mark Brooks turned around, only to see a fist rapidly growing larger before his eyes. With a scream, he released Julia Cooper’s arm. Julia Cooper was both shocked and delighted, her eyes flashing as she suddenly shouted, “Edward Clark, watch out for the acid!”

Edward Clark simply reached out and snatched the bottle away. Without a word, he smashed it over Mark Brooks’s head. There was a sharp crack as the bottle shattered, liquid splashing everywhere, drenching Mark Brooks’s head and face!

Sarah Baker screamed, thinking this would ruin his face, and covered her eyes. Julia Cooper rushed over, trying to pull Edward Clark back, but her hand grasped only air. Instead of retreating, Edward Clark advanced, kicking out again. Though Mark Brooks was a big man, almost a head taller than Edward Clark, he had no strength to resist. With a scream, he crashed into the corner!

Edward Clark walked up to Mark Brooks and slowly squatted down. Mark Brooks shook his hands desperately. “Please, big brother, spare me! I won’t dare again, I swear I won’t!”

Edward Clark slapped him hard, then backhanded him with another slap. Mark Brooks’s cheeks instantly swelled red, and he whimpered, “Sir, sir, I beg you, let me go, I’ll do anything for you!”

“Shut up!” Edward Clark said coldly. Mark Brooks shuddered in fear. “Sir…”

With a loud smack, Edward Clark couldn’t be bothered to say more and slapped him again. Only then did Mark Brooks realize, and he clamped his mouth shut, not daring to make a sound.

Section Twelve: The Five Virtues and Four Beauties

Everything happened so suddenly, and so shockingly.

Julia Cooper stood there in a daze, just like Sarah Baker, both of them stunned, their minds blank, staring in disbelief at everything before them!

She really couldn’t believe it. The usually timid Edward Clark, who seemed afraid to even step on a mouse, could actually fight like a tiger. Of course, the sulfuric acid was obviously fake—Mark Brooks’s face was swollen like a pig’s head, but it was from bruising, not acid burns. Relieved, she also felt a bit annoyed—Edward Clark had been too reckless. But then she remembered he’d risked himself just for her, and a wave of sweetness welled up in her heart.

“Are you awake now?” Edward Clark stared at Mark Brooks, pushing up his glasses. But the cold light in his eyes shone right through the lenses!