As soon as he finished speaking, Nathaniel Fu froze.Celia seized the moment and pushed him away.
Nathaniel withdrew his hand, his handsome face expressionless. He suddenly shifted the topic."Did you really steal the review notes from my brilliant junior schoolmate?"
Celia had thought he texted her to scold her, but instead, every word he'd said tonight revolved around her. First, he questioned her about going to the hospital, and now about the review notes. Everyone else believed she was guilty—why was he asking like this?
She met his eyes, her voice calm. "Yes. I stole it."
Nathaniel's lips curved faintly. "A thief, huh? Well, stealing in general is bad enough—but of all things, a review notebook? Not impressive."
Celia's heart gave a sharp jolt. He didn't believe she had done it.
Why? When the entire world did, why was he the only one who doubted it?
Her fingers trembled slightly as she turned her gaze aside. "Since you've already chosen to be with Yara Lu, you shouldn't linger around me anymore."
"Mr. Fu, I'll be leaving first." With that, she turned and walked away.
Nathaniel stood still for a long moment, then slowly made his way back. As he passed the bar, he overheard several arrogant young men talking in low, filthy tones.
"Did you hear? That Celia isn't just a thief—she's been around the gynecology ward too. Definitely not the innocent angel she pretends to be."
"No kidding. She acts so pure, like some goddess, but she's nothing but a cheap tramp underneath. Used and discarded by countless men."
"Wanna have some fun with her tonight? I've got a bag of powder here. Just scored it—it's strong stuff. We get her in here, and she won't even know what happened."
Their vulgar laughter echoed, the group of spoiled rich heirs looking lewd and excited as they plotted against her.
Nathaniel stopped in his tracks, a dark, bone-chilling gloom spreading across his sharp features.
He strode toward them, his long fingers closing around a wine bottle from a nearby table. Without hesitation, he swung it hard.
Crash!Glass shattered. One of the men—the one holding the powder—stumbled back, blood streaming down his head.
The others spun around in shock, only to see Nathaniel's towering figure looming over them, his eyes cold and lethal. He grabbed the injured man by the collar, his voice low and venomous.
"You dare lay a hand on her? I'll kill you."
The entitled young men had no idea who he was. Rough and ignorant, they bared their teeth."Who the hell are you? Think you can start something with us? Come on, boys!"
They snatched up bottles and rushed him.
From a distance, Zane Song saw the commotion. His face darkened instantly, and he barked at his men,"Shut the doors! Don't let anyone out. If anyone dares lay a finger on my second brother tonight, we'll teach them a lesson they'll never forget!"
"Yes, boss!"
Meanwhile, Celia had just returned to her seat when panicked shouts erupted across the nightclub.
"There's a fight! Run—there's blood!"
Her heart lurched. Who was fighting?
The nightclub dissolved into chaos, terrified guests pushing and shoving to escape.
Celia lifted her head and froze.
Nathaniel Fu stood in the middle of the fray, a beer bottle clenched in his hand as he fought several men at once. His black shirt stretched tightly over the sharp lines of his arms, every muscle alive with ferocity. His handsome face was twisted in cold rage, a ruthless power radiating from him as he struck down his opponents.
Celia's breath caught. She had seen him fight before, but every time it terrified her.
He had been perfectly fine just moments ago—why was he fighting now?
Forcing her way through the stampede, she hurried toward him.
But halfway there, her steps faltered. Her eyes widened as she caught sight of Yara Lu quietly slipping out of the club.