Chapter 42: Scratch Her Face

Meanwhile, in the Cropper family courtyard, Isabella was bound tightly to a chair, a white towel stuffed in her mouth to muffle any cries for help. Avery, standing in front of her, pinched Isabella's chin and sneered. "I never imagined the leader of Vegetarian Heart clinic would be such a beauty. Jonathan's a lucky guy." Though Avery was a recognized beauty herself, she couldn't help but feel inferior in comparison to Isabella. "Miss Zhao, are you sure Jonathan will come if we keep her here?" a middle-aged man behind Avery asked. The man stood at about 1.85 meters, his face hardened and calloused fists revealing his expertise in boxing. His name was Yannis, but Avery respectfully called him Master Huang. With a chuckle, Avery replied, "Yes, the people at the clinic said Jonathan listens to her. He'll come." "Good. I don't like wasting time," Yannis said calmly. "Master Huang, Jonathan is skilled in combat. Even dozens of men couldn't take him down. Are you confident you can defeat him?" Avery asked, a hint of concern in her voice. Yannis smirked proudly. "Don't worry. Jonathan may be tough, but he's still an ordinary man. I, on the other hand, have surpassed ordinary fighters. To me, that kid is nothing more than an ant." Avery nodded, satisfied with his confidence. "Since you're a warrior, I'll rest easy. I'll transfer the agreed-upon payment to your account." She had heard about warriors before. Jonathan wouldn't stand a chance. --- Outside the Cropper family villa, a black BMW was parked not far from the entrance. Inside, Abigail sat in the passenger seat with a satisfied smile on her face. Andrew, sitting beside her, turned to her and said, "Abigail, you should be pleased. That kid will die today. The Cropper family hired a martial arts master specifically for this." "Of course, I'll be relieved to see him dead," Abigail said, though a flicker of doubt crossed her face. "But... what if that country bumpkin doesn't show up? The Cropper family's reputation might scare him away." Andrew laughed confidently. "The Croppers are crafty. They'll find a way to make him come. Just wait and see." Abigail slowly nodded. "I hope so. That man humiliated me in front of so many people. Today, he'll pay for everything." "Don't worry. After they deal with him, I'll make sure they torture him first," Andrew said, gripping her hand. Abigail turned to him, her eyes softening. She knew that if her family married into the Liu Family, both families would gain more power, and Andrew was the perfect match for her. As for Jonathan, after today, he would disappear for good, and she'd never hear his name again. The thought of Jonathan's demise filled her with excitement. --- Back in the courtyard, Joshua watched his sister, Avery, with curiosity. "Sister, will he really come?" Avery smirked coldly. "In ten minutes, I'll start cutting this woman's face. If he doesn't show up, I'll carve her face until he does." Joshua hesitated. "Sister, this woman is beautiful... could you leave her for me?" Avery shot him a sharp look. "You're already feeling sorry for her?" "But Sister," Joshua protested, "Isabella's clinic has been gaining popularity. She has connections in Skyward State and even the provincial capital. If we harm her, we might stir up trouble." Avery scoffed. "It's just a clinic. We're not afraid of anyone. Besides, do you think people would risk going against the Cropper family for her? And soon, our eldest brother will return." Joshua's eyes lit up. "Brother's coming back? That's incredible! Our family will be unstoppable!" Zane, their eldest brother, had been taken as a disciple by a powerful master and rarely returned home. But Joshua knew that Zane, also a warrior, was far stronger than Master Huang. Once he returned, no family in Skyward State would dare challenge the Croppers. "Exactly. So forget about this woman. With your status, you can have any woman you want. Remember, when dealing with enemies, you must be ruthless." Avery warned. Joshua remained silent, though he still felt reluctant. He secretly hoped Jonathan would arrive so he could claim Isabella after the matter was settled. As time passed, Avery glanced at her watch. "Joshua, it's time. Start cutting." Joshua was stunned. "Sister, do you really want me to cut her face?" "Do you think I'm joking? Do it!" Reluctantly, Joshua took out a dagger and approached Isabella. "Don't blame me. Blame yourself for getting involved with that country bumpkin Jonathan." Isabella, bound to the chair, watched in terror as Joshua drew nearer, the blade gleaming in the sunlight. She closed her eyes, bracing herself for the inevitable. Master, I'm sorry. I couldn't protect Jonathan... She wasn't afraid of the knife, but she feared for Jonathan's safety. Just as Joshua was about to bring the blade to Isabella's face, a taxi screeched to a halt at the entrance of the Cropper family villa. From a distance, the taxi driver looked panicked, his neck held in a tight grip. "Brother, please, calm down! We're almost there! Don't do anything rash!" the driver begged, terrified. Jonathan, who had been holding the driver by the neck, didn't care. "Faster," he ordered, his eyes burning with fury. The taxi slammed through the villa's gate, tearing it open and rushing into the courtyard. Jonathan's eyes widened in rage as he saw Joshua about to cut Isabella's face. Without a second thought, he leaped out of the taxi. "Damn you! I'll kill you!" he roared, his anger exploding. Although Jonathan hadn't known Isabella for long, he could feel that she genuinely cared for him. Joshua's blade was just inches from Isabella's skin when a dark shadow shot toward him with lightning speed. Bang! Joshua was thrown several meters into the air, crashing into a tree with a heavy thud. Poof! Joshua spat out a mouthful of blood before slumping to the ground, unconscious. At this time, a figure stood next to Isabella. It was Jonathan!