She'd spent a fortune on that drug, sourced from a shadowy overseas market. It wasn't lethal outright, but it would slowly ravage the user's organs. Without the antidote at the right time, it was a death sentence.

"Oh, Lilah Phillips," Karol muttered to herself, "in a contest, there are no friends. Even if you feel strange after being drugged, you'd suspect your injuries first. You wouldn't be aware of foul play here."

The competition was about to begin.

Farley and Lilah stood in their respective corners of the arena after bowing.

Despite Farley's towering presence, Lilah remained composed.

The referee's whistle shrilled through the air.

Lilah's eyes locked onto Farley's, trying to anticipate his first move.

Farley lunged faster than she'd expected, his fist hurtling toward her with furious intensity.

Lilah's heart raced. Why was he so angry? It was just a contest.

She dodged by leaning back, barely avoiding his punch. She retaliated with a swift kick aimed at tripping him, but to her astonishment, his legs held firm, barely budging. Her calf tingled from the impact.

Winning through sheer strength was out of the question.

In the blink of an eye, they exchanged a flurry of blows. Farley looked impatient, his attacks growing more savage, as if he wanted to maim her.

Lilah knitted her eyebrows. She sidestepped his next punch, and then, using his own momentum against him, delivered a sharp kick to his back.

Farley stumbled, nearly collapsing to the floor. Capitalizing on the opening, Lilah launched successive assaults, sapping his strength and rendering him defenseless.

The spectators encircling the platform gasped in astonishment.

Never had they imagined that a seemingly frail woman could possess such formidable prowess.

Farley's nerves frayed with anxiety and fury, his movements restricted and futile.

Representing an organization in the competition, his defeat would entail hefty financial recompense.

Compounded by that woman's menacing ultimatum, he felt compelled to vanquish Lilah.

Gritting his teeth, he resolved to act decisively.

Intentionally exposing a vulnerability, he baited Lilah into attacking his right leg before swiftly clutching at the collar of his own attire.

Observing his actions, Lilah immediately heightened her vigilance.

However, he remained passive. Amidst their altercation, she detected nothing out of the ordinary.

Without warning, Farley emitted a low snort, clenched his teeth, and executed an over-the-shoulder throw.