"Fuck!" Briseis exploded, unable to contain her excitement.

The crowd soon followed, their shouts filling the air, the only way they could express their shock.

Karol lay there, tears of humiliation streaming down her face. She was utterly defeated, unable to muster the strength to rise. The match was over.

Lilah crouched beside her, extending a hand.

To the spectators, it seemed a good gesture, a show of sportsmanship, a moment of respect between rivals.

But when Lilah leaned in, she was taunting to Karol's ear like a devil. “You lost. Even with the drugs, you couldn't beat me. Loser."

Lilah knew Karol was the only one who would drug her.

“Aarrghhhh!" With a primal scream, Karol lunged at Lilah, her hands locking around her throat.

Briseis was the first to react, darting forward to pull her away.

But Karol's grip was ironclad, her rage giving her unnatural strength.

Lilah hadn't anticipated this level of mad ferocity. She'd only wanted to humiliate the bitch, to make her pay for the attempted sabotage.

Now, Karol's scores would likely be cancelled for breaking the rules.

"Karol, let go! Are you insane?" Briseis shouted, prying at Karol's fingers to no avail.

Others joined the fray, but no one could break Karol's hold.

Finally, the referee's voice boomed, “Karol Morris, you've violated the competition's rules. All your scores are null and void!"

The crowd gasped again.

Karol staggered to her feet, disbelief etched on her face. “No! Why?"

Lilah, gasping for air, was left with a livid red mark forming around her neck, drawing murmurs of sympathy from the onlookers.

“Are you out of your mind? If you can't beat her, just accept it! Trying to kill her? If everyone acted like you, Taekwondo competitions would be banned a long time ago!" Briseis spat, wrapping an arm around Lilah and flipping Karol off.

Karol's anger flared anew, and she lunged at Briseis, ready to attack.

"Karol, stop!" A calm, gentle male voice pierced through her rage this time.

She turned, eyes wide, to see a face she didn't expect.

It was Kaden.

Karol's nose twitched, and tears began to roll down her face in big drops.