A bad feeling settled in Ethan's gut.
"Wade Qi, stand down!"
Wade Qi kicked away the thug in front of him and quickly retreated to Ethan's side. His gaze was fixed on the short, stocky man who had emerged from the neighboring room.
The man was walking toward them.
"Wade Qi, I need a favor..." Ethan whispered urgently.
The moment the stocky man entered, Autumn deliberately switched to a panicked expression. "My apologies, sir! This disturbance is my fault entirely!"
The stocky man scanned the wrecked room. "Explain this."
"This..." Autumn glanced meaningfully at Ethan, feigning hesitation.
The man snorted coldly, striding over to evaluate Ethan. "Who's your master?"
"Careful, he's skilled," Wade Qi warned, positioning himself defensively.
The stocky man barked suddenly, "Speak!"
"He..." Autumn pretended to hesitate before answering, "...works for The Boss."
"The Boss?" The man sneered. "Since when do The Boss's men disrupt The Gentleman's peace?"
He gave Autumn a pointed look. "Fetch The Boss. Let him handle his own dog."
Ethan's pulse quickened. Autumn's eyes flashed with triumph before she hurried to the adjacent VIP room. Soon The Boss emerged, followed by a smug Autumn.
The Boss maintained his usual amiable smile, waving dismissively. "All non-essential personnel, out."
The remaining staff and patrons scrambled to escape. Maya looked anxiously at Ethan.
"Go to the hospital. Wait for me there," Ethan whispered before formally greeting The Boss.
Once the room cleared, the stocky man addressed The Boss. "Control your people or be replaced. Your man brawling in your own establishment - disturbing The Gentleman's evening requires satisfactory explanation."
The Boss remained calm. "What happened?"
"My fault, Boss," Autumn confessed too quickly. "I took a marker at the casino this afternoon, then got called away to host The Gentleman. Ethan must have thought I was skipping town. My failure to explain caused this... misunderstanding."
"Explanation?" the stocky man cut in coldly. "What matter outweighs attending The Gentleman?"
Autumn bowed her head, poorly concealing her smirk.
The Boss turned to Ethan. "You've stepped in it now. Come with me."
At the doorway, The Boss paused, glancing at Wade Qi. "Your man waits outside."
Ethan nodded to Wade Qi, who took up position by the door.
The adjacent VIP room held only two figures in the mood lighting. A man sat central in the shadows - The Gentleman - his features obscured but his authority palpable. Beside him sat a woman whose conservative dress somehow accentuated her allure, her profile sharp in the dim light.
The stocky man closed the door behind them, whispering to The Gentleman, who tapped the table three times.
"Boss," the stocky man said sharply, "if you can't control your house, we'll find new management. This... display has offended The Gentleman."
The Boss glanced at Ethan. He knew Autumn's game - yet the offense remained. The Gentleman had been disturbed.
"Ethan," The Boss said heavily, "effective immediately, you're relieved from casino duties."
The Gentleman lifted his glass. The woman beside him matched his gesture.
When the glass touched down again, The Boss continued. "Fighting our own violates circle law. Internal discipline applies."
The Gentleman's glass was refilled. He lifted it a third time.
The Boss drew breath for the final judgment. "And offending The Gentleman demands--"
"Boss," Ethan interrupted, his attention on the door. "I didn't come for the debt. The conflict was unrelated."
Outside, a voice called: "Autumn! Cops are here!"
The Gentleman set his glass down untouched.
"What incompetence!" the stocky man roared. "Why are police here?"
"Nothing serious!" Autumn said, though panic touched her eyes. "Some frightened customer probably--"
"Not a customer," Ethan cut in. "They're here for you, Autumn."