Sierra didn't intercede as Luna drank again. After all, the Luna she knew, once she had decided to do something, there was no way to stop her. And today, Luna had decided to waste herself completely.

'It must be because Ethan had never allowed her into clubs before. In defiance, she is behaving this way today.'

Sierra hadn't missed the pained expressions on Luna Hart's face when she was looking at the happy couple dancing.

Sierra didn't care much. Today, she was not here to be a drinking partner but a babysitter to watch over Luna. She just waited for Hart to either drop dead drunk or get tired and agree to leave.

As Luna took another sip from the glass, she heard Sierra's voice.

"Lulu, I'm going to use the restroom." After saying that, Sierra glared at Luna. "So don't you dare leave this spot, or I'm going to ditch you. Have fun finding a lift back home this late at night."

"Why the glare? Don't you even trust me?" Luna pouted.

"Not even a bit!"

"You hurt me, Sisi." Luna clutched her chest as if heartbroken, being dramatic.

Sierra rolled her eyes. "How many shots have you had again?"

"Seven. Not eight. I-I think I lost count." Luna gave a giddy smile. Sierra almost wanted to punch that smile off her face.

"Lulu, this is not a joke. You must not leave while I am away!" Sierra was growing impatient.

First, she had to use the restroom. Second, she had to endure a useless bicker with her. How unfortunate!

Luna innocently smiled at Sierra . "Fine. Go away. I wouldn't leave." She waved with her hand and took another small sip.

Sierra looked at Luna suspiciously. Something about Luna's 'innocent' smile looked not so very innocent.

Feeling the suspicious gaze, Luna whined in a sweet voice. "I promise!" She even put two fingers up.

"You!" Sierra raised her finger, but the need for the restroom made her swallow all the curses she had originally wanted to throw at Luna. In the end, she could only shout while rushing away in a hurry. "You'd better keep your word!"

"Haha. Sisi, did you really believe my promise? How stupid of you."

Luna laughed evilly. Getting up, she stretched. It was very stuffy on the bottom floor; she climbed up to the second floor. It was more refreshing and clearer in there.

She was engaged in her own fun. She had lost track of time when, suddenly, gasps and a slap were heard from the side. Luna frowned and glanced in that direction.

.

.

.

Sitting over a black couch, with his elbow resting on the armrest of the couch and his head propped on his hand, nonchalance was everything that appeared on the man's face. His other hand held a wine glass as he took small sips at intervals. All the people in the club had stepped several steps away from the spot, creating a circle with the couch in the centre.

As if he were some king and everyone else in there was a peasant.

Only his subordinate kept standing by his side with a solemn face. He quietly handed a tissue to Damian. Damian silently wiped his hands clean; his actions held elegance and smoothness.

His eyes shifted down towards the woman who was grovelling at his feet. Coldness was the only thing that emerged from the bottom of his heart and poured into his eyes. Within the chilliness, one could detect slight disgust for the creature at his feet.

"F-Forgive me!" The woman was terrified of being looked at like this. Her appearance was totally ruined. One could tell that originally, she could have been looking quite seductive and classy with her tasteful jewellery and short dress.

But after being slapped and crying, her makeup was totally ruined. Blood trickled down her nose. Her hair was messy and tangled. Now, she looked more appalling and pitiful.

Looking at this, something snapped within Luna.

"I didn't mean to. I only approached Mr Blackwell because I admired you-"

The woman was slapped again by one of his subordinates. She was shut just like that. Her cries echoed on the second floor. The atmosphere grew serious. Even the background music had been shut down long ago. Everyone was holding their breath as if waiting for a great volcano to erupt.

Yet the man in the centre was silent and still like a cool moon on a winter night, giving a gentle glow.

The woman's pitiful eyes looked around as if searching for someone who would volunteer to help her out of her imminent death. Yet, no one stepped forward. Even if there were a few who pitied her, no one would dare to offend the man on the couch.

No one but a certain someone.

"M-Mr. Blackwell, I-I really..." The woman could see her situation clearly. Even if this man killed her right here and right now in front of everyone, no one would even shed a tear for her sake out of fear of him.

In desperation, she lunged forward and grabbed his leg.

Everyone was shocked. His subordinates were even more speechless.

People who knew who Damian was were aware of his mysophobia.

They silently thought: If this woman had any chance to survive before, now she has lost it too.

Yet the woman didn't know it.

"Step away." A cold voice resonated on the second floor. People's hearts jolted into their throats. Some of them wanted to secretly escape, yet none dared to move. As if they were terrified of attracting any sort of attention toward them.

The woman was terrified to the point where her sanity was ruined. She didn't listen.

"I said step away." His voice grew colder than the coldest winter. His hands tightened slightly.

The woman still didn't listen.

It happened so quickly that none of his subordinates could interfere.

Suddenly, Damian raised his hand. It appeared as if he were going to hit the woman. She shrank back on the floor. However, before his hand could strike down, another slender and delicate hand grabbed his wrist and blocked his attack.

Damian's nonchalant expression faltered for a second. A look of surprise flashed across his face. But in the next moment, the surprise faded. His gaze followed that slender hand up to its owner's face. Once his eyes landed on those fierce, rosy cheeks and dazed eyes, his calm pupils shrank slightly.

Her sharp eyes were like a pair of mystical jade that could capture one's soul. Her jawline was sharp and well-defined. Her thin, plump lips were painted red. Despite wearing minimal makeup, she was undeniably the most beautiful woman in the club that night.

"I think that's enough." Luna's voice was resolute. It resonated in the pin-drop silence. It was funny how not a single person made a sound. It was as if there were only Luna and Damian in that place. The rest didn't matter.

"Y-You insolent-" His subordinate rushed forward. But with a slight wave of his other hand-the one not held by Luna-Damian shut him up. The subordinate knew not to interfere. Stepping back, he stood silently, cautious in case his boss wanted him to teach that girl a lesson.

Damian tilted his head slightly. A corner of his lips curled up. His eyes were still cold, yet there was a hint of amusement in them. "What reason could you possibly have to suddenly come forward and hold my hand like this, little girl?"

Luna blinked. Only then did she realise she was still holding his hand. She quickly let go and stepped back.

Little girl?

He didn't look older than 25. Calling her little, was he devaluing her?

So what if she was younger? She knew what self-respect and a woman's honour meant!

Everyone was stunned by this development.

Until now, no one had ever stepped forward to intercede. People had assumed no one would either. Any sane person who knew what kind of man Damian was would stay fifty steps away from him. Even someone unaware of his identity would be kept away by his dangerous aura.

People thought: Either the girl is insane, or she's deliberately doing this to attract his attention.

"You do not have the right to abuse anyone just because you have power," Luna said firmly. Her fierce gaze held his without wavering.

That was new. No one had ever maintained eye contact with him for more than twenty seconds. Yet this girl not only didn't shy away from his cold eyes-her gaze was fierce.

With his slight smile becoming more pronounced, Damian slowly rose from his spot.

People knew that since this man-who had been calmly seated from the beginning-finally stood up, something big was about to happen.

Just after a few steps, he stopped in front of Luna.

"Little girl, this matter has nothing to do with you. If you insist on stepping into it rashly, I'm afraid you won't be stepping out of it so easily." His voice and words could freeze someone's blood. There was a clearly hidden threat in his tone.

Although she felt a heavy gloom loom over her as he approached, Luna stood her ground firmly. She didn't step back or cower.

"You assume your threat would scare me?" Luna still had alcohol in her system, numbing her caution. She spoke whatever came to mind. "Guess what? I don't want to step out of this matter either."

He could have expected the girl to tremble in fear at his warning. He could have expected her to retreat while apologising. But he couldn't have expected her stance to become even more unwavering.

"I wonder," Damian leaned closer, "do you actually feel bad for that woman..."

"What do you mean-"

"Or are you this bold because you're interested in warming my bed in her place?"

Luna was shocked speechless. She couldn't believe he would say something like this, especially in front of a hall full of people. A wave of whispers spread instantly. Damian kept his calm gaze fixed on her face, silently observing her.

"You!" Luna's hands trembled with anger. In a spur of the moment, she raised her hand-making the gravest mistake of her life.

She slapped the man in front of her. Slapped the man who had never been spoken to in a raised voice before. Slapped the man known for making those who offended him suffer in the worst ways. Slapped the man whose very name could make the hearts of seven continents shake.

That was the sort of man her drunk self offended one year ago.

What followed that slap was silence.

Pin drop, soul-grappling silence.

It was as if everyone in the club had disappeared. The silence was so intense that only Damian and Luna seemed to remain in that place; the rest didn't exist, the rest didn't matter.

People silently prepared themselves to witness bloodshed in the club.

Damian's face had turned to the side from the impact of the slap. 

He was stunned. His eyes were wide.

Luna had done something he could never have expected.

Cole Ramsey, his subordinate, snapped out of his stupor.

"How dare you?! Do you know who he is?" His voice roared through the silence, shaking everyone with fear. Looking at his Boss's terrifying expression, he was not only horrified, but he was also enraged.

How could he let this unspeakable thing happen? If only he hadn't been standing a few steps back, he would never have allowed anything to touch his Boss.

He charged at the insolent girl, his hand reaching into his belt to draw his gun.

Blood was going to be spilt that night.

Yet before he could even touch her, Damian slowly shifted his eyes and shot him a glance.

Cole froze immediately. He knew by heart what every gesture of his Boss meant. Throwing a reluctant glance at Luna, he slowly retreated. The flames of anger in his eyes died out, replaced with something akin to pity.

This girl has no idea what she has done. If Boss doesn't want me to interfere, he's planning something on his own. And if he's planning something... it will be horrible.

Damian looked back into Luna's wild eyes. His expression twisted into a cold smirk. His face remained calm, yet this time, a bloodthirsty, murderous aura surrounded him. He quietly lifted his thumb and wiped the blood from the corner of his split lip.

Seeing his Boss's eerie silence, Cole was certain.

She truly doesn't know what she's done-or the hell waiting for her.

It was only the calm before the storm. A long, catastrophic storm that would shatter that girl's world into pieces.

If Damian had any doubts before, they were gone now; the woman who stood so boldly before him clearly had no idea who he was.

"This is the moment you're going to regret for the rest of your life." Damian's voice was dangerously low. He said those words while staring straight into Luna's eyes, as if making a vow. His expression could freeze a heart and scar a soul for eternity.

For a moment, Luna froze. Her heart thumped violently. For the first time, she felt a stream of fear.

But...

Nothing happened.

Without doing anything, the man left the club-without sparing her another glance.

Luna blinked, confused. Snapping out of it, she quickly knelt to help the woman on the floor. "Are you alright, ma'am?"

"Just get away from me." The woman shot a venomous glare at Luna.

Luna: "..."

"Fine with me." Luna shrugged and rose. Looking around, she noticed the strange atmosphere surrounding her.

The whole club was eerily silent. People threw strange glances in her direction-shock mixed with pity-but none approached her.

Slowly, the club began to empty. Most people left as quickly as possible.

"What is this all about? Is it that serious?" Luna wasn't anxious. That was how people behaved when a big figure was offended. She understood that people were naturally scared of trouble. After all, Luna had experience in this matter, with a history of offending powerful people.

"But isn't this club owned by a powerful tycoon? People shouldn't panic over some regular rich guy. A lot of wealthy businessmen visit this place. Oh well. That man did look... slightly above average."

Shortly after, Sierra arrived. Furious when she didn't find Luna at her spot. Before she could even yell, they were both thrown out of the club. Sierra only managed to hear that Luna had slapped someone. The doors slammed in their faces, and they were blacklisted.

Sierra was so angry that she nearly died that night.

"What the hell, Ya'er?! Why are you impossible! I left you for five minutes-five fucking minutes! And you already managed to slap someone? And not just anyone-someone in VVIP!" Sierra was losing control.

Never had she been so humiliated in her life.

Thrown out of the club. The most famous club in the city!

She didn't know how long the rumours would circulate.

"Important person? Huh..." Luna scoffed. Alcohol always messed with her. As for being thrown out, unlike Sierra, Luna was wild and had a long record of being thrown out of places. "So what? If he's important, does that give him the right to hit a woman?"

Sierra grimaced while driving.

"You don't know the whole story. What if that woman was at fault? Did you even look at her? The way she was dressed-she was probably a prostitute. Maybe she did something unforgivable? Why are you always trying to be a hero?"

"Prostitutes are human too!"

"..."

Sierra: "You just wanted an excuse to get into trouble, didn't you?"

"Even if she was at fault," Luna yawned, leaning back. She was used to Sierra's nagging and didn't take her seriously. "He still had no right to raise a hand on her. You didn't see how cruel they were. I c-couldn't just sit and watch."

And Luna fell asleep.

"And who's going to apologise for humiliating me? What did I do? Who's giving me justice?" Sierra cried, but no one listened.

She grumbled, "The things you do for friendship..."

Still, she couldn't shake the ominous feeling. She didn't know that man's real identity, but the one sitting in VVIP had an aura so suffocating it felt like he could choke someone just by looking at them. Something about him was deeply unsettling.

Only a handful of people in that club knew the truth. Others assumed the VVIP guest must be someone extremely powerful based on the influential people surrounding him.

If those men were flattering him, he must be above them by several levels.

"Nothing will happen. Luna isn't from an ordinary family. Her family has influence-no one can just bully someone with the Hart name," Sierra reassured herself. "Even if that man comes back for her, I won't let anyone hurt her." She softened her gaze at the snoring Luna.

But Sierra had no idea that the man Luna had offended was someone far from ordinary-someone whose prestige and power were unmatched. Someone who was rumoured to see humans as nothing more than insects.

Someone who must be feared and respected, no matter how powerful your family is.