"Okay."

The pair proceeded slowly, retracing their steps. As they approached the next intersection, four men emerged from the nearby woods.

“Mr. Harris, we've been waiting for you. Let's talk." A man locked eyes with Gerard, a simmering mix of provocation and bitterness emanating from his gaze.

Then, upon noticing Lilah, his tone turned venomous. "This woman is the reason I lost my job and ended up like this."

Lilah lifted her gaze and recognized the man's face distinctly. It dawned on her that she had encountered him before.

It was at the amusement park. He was that chubby boy's father.

In response to his accusations, Lilah retorted icily, "You have no one to blame but yourself."

"Shut up! If it weren't for you, would I ever have crossed Mr. Harris? You're nothing but bad luck!" The man's anger escalated with each word.

Observing Lilah's pallor, likely due to her enduring discomfort, Gerard's irritation mounted. "Get lost!" he snapped, his tone sharp.

He needed to ensure Lilah returned to the hotel promptly.

“Wait, something seems off with that woman," one of the man's companions remarked, noting Lilah's condition.

The man observed Lilah, a smug grin forming on his lips. Gerard held this woman in high regard. Perhaps, there was an opportunity to regain his job.

“Mr. Harris, I have one request," the man declared confidently.

"Allow me to work at the Harris Group branch. I'll accept any position. If you agree, I'll leave immediately and never bother you again."

"I've already told you, get lost!" Gerard's voice cut through the air, icy and resolute.

The man remained undeterred, unfazed by Gerard's dismissal. With the numerical advantage of four against one, he held firm in his belief that Gerard would ultimately succumb to their menacing intimidation.

He believed successful men were physically weak, and worn down by their lavish lifestyles.

The man sneered with contempt, his tone laced with veiled threats.

"Mr. Harris, I'm extending courtesy to you now. It's in your best interest to reciprocate with respect, or I might not remain so civil.

If you refuse to comply with my terms, things may take a turn for the worse, and we might have to resort to more forceful measures."

Lilah's bellyache intensified, urging her to return to the hotel and rest.

Under normal circumstances, she could easily handle these men on her own.

"Give me a moment, Lilah." Gerard spoke softly.

Lilah glanced at him, nodding in agreement.

Seeing Gerard's indifference, the man's fury ignited. "Mr. Harris, it seems you're too comfortable atop your pedestal. Now it's time for you to learn some humility."

Gerard assisted Lilah to one side, draping his coat over her shoulders. "Wear this. It'll make you feel better."

“Okay," Lilah agreed, noticing Gerard's white shirt that revealed glimpses of his toned physique underneath.

She couldn't help but smile.

With a determined glint in his eyes, Gerard rolled up his sleeves and advanced toward the four men.

Seeing Gerard approach, the chubby boy's father couldn't hold back his anger anymore. "Mr. Harris, it seems you'll only heed my request once I've put you in your place."

He turned to his hefty friend and instructed, “Alright, let's do this."

"Let's teach this pretty boy a lesson and then head to the bar," the hefty man said to the other two men confidently.

"You don't need to do a thing. The two of us can take care of him without breaking a sweat."

"Quickly now. Let's not make too much noise," the hefty man reminded the two men, urging haste.

"Got it."

With brazen confidence, the two men strode toward Gerard, underestimating his capability to resist.

"You may be tall, but when it comes to a fight..."