Chapter 16
Before Liz could respond, a cold voice rang out from a short distance away.
“You guys are pushing fifty, rocking beer bellies and bald spots, and you seriously think she should call you ‘handsome’? Give
me a break.”
The group of men turned in unison. Not far away, a tall man in white casual clothes stood with a sharp gaze fixed on them. Even in the dim light, he carried an air of calm confidence.
Seeing he was alone and looked more polished than tough, the men quickly switched to a cocky, aggressive stance.
“Hey, buddy. I’d back off if I were you. Unless you want to seriously regret stepping in.”
The man raised an eyebrow. “Regret it? Because of you clowns?”
His words hit a nerve. One of the men charged forward with a clenched fist, but before he could even land a hit, the man kicked him hard in the chest, sending him flying backward.
The others rushed in, but within five minutes, they were all sprawled on the sand, groaning in pain and too weak to get up.
Without sparing them a second glance, the man bent down, picked up Liz’s phone, and walked toward her.
He was tall-at least six feet two-and Liz had to tilt her head up to meet his gaze.
She stared at his handsome features, momentarily stunned.
“Have we… met before?”
The man curved his lips into a slight smile, his eyes lighting up. “Liz, you don’t remember me?”
Hearing him say her name so naturally only confused her more.
“You know me?”
He nodded. Seeing the uncertainty in her eyes, he decided not to draw it out.
“We went to high school together. I’m Ethan Xander. I’m surprised you don’t remember me at all.”
As soon as he said that, Liz started to vaguely recall someone by that name buried in her distant memories.
“I’m sorry. I’m kind of bad with faces. And it’s been years since we graduated…”
Ethan chuckled. “I get it. It’s been a long time. Honestly, I’ve forgotten a lot of our classmates too. Oh-your phone.”
He handed the phone to her, his voice calm and warm.
Liz lowered her eyes. His hand was long and well-proportioned, with neatly trimmed nails and clean, even fingers.
She reached out and took the phone, brushing against his cool fingers by accident.
“Thank you.”
Ethan tensed for a second, then quickly pulled his hand back like nothing had happened.
“What do you want to do about those guys? Want me to call the police?”
Before Liz could answer, the group of men started begging from where they lay on the sand.
“Miss, please-we’re sorry. Don’t call the cops.”
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Chapter 16
“We didn’t mean anything. We were just drunk. Please let it go…”
“Miss, we all have families. If you report this, we’re done. We’ll make it right. We’ll pay you, anything you want…”
While the men behind her begged for mercy, Liz’s expression stayed perfectly calm.
“Drunk and acting foolish?” she thought. “Interesting how none of them tried that with a man.”
If Ethan hadn’t shown up when he did, she didn’t even want to imagine what might have happened.
She turned to him and said firmly, “Call the police.”
The officers arrived quickly. After getting a full account of what happened, they took the men into custody. They were set to be detained for seven days and then deported.
Once they were gone, Ethan turned to her.
“I’ll walk you back to your hotel.”
Liz looked up at him. “Are you sure? I don’t want to trouble you.”
Noticing the lingering paleness in her face, Ethan’s expression softened.
“It’s no trouble. I’m heading in the same direction anyway.”
“Then thank you.”
About ten minutes later, they arrived at the entrance of her hotel.
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