As soon as the result was announced, Ethan placed his gun on the table and pulled out a cigarette.
"Only kids need both hands to fire a gun," Leo said calmly while lighting his cigarette.
"They can't handle the recoil with one hand. Masters only need one."
Then he turned toward Ethan and added coldly,"And now that the results are out, don't forget to respect your father, son."
He looked at Aria next."And you—remember, when we get home, you'll be cooking for me and cleaning too. If you don't want to stay there anymore, you're free to leave."
Without even checking his own score, Leo started walking away.He already knew Ethan couldn't beat him—even in his dreams.
"What's wrong? Afraid of losing?" Ethan shouted after him.
"Shut up," Aria snapped.
"How much more humiliation do you want?"
"Leo scored 30 points," Aria announced.
Leo had defeated Ethan in both gun assembly and shooting.
Ethan's eyes burned red with rage. His teammates were stunned.
"So he's a better shooter than Ethan?" one of the officers whispered.
"I've never seen anyone score that fast."
Ethan felt utterly humiliated. Losing in front of the woman he liked was unbearable.
"You think beating me in two things makes you a big deal?" Ethan shouted as Leo walked away."That competition was easy."
Leo stopped.
He turned slowly and said,
"Is that how you talk to your father? And remember—I beat you in those easy competitions. If you can't even win easy ones…
tsk... tsk... tsk...
What's wrong? Afraid of losing?"
"I'm from the Criminal Department," Ethan yelled.
"I don't waste time on small things like gun assembly. I hunt criminals. Let's compete in something else."
"What do you want to play now?" Leo asked calmly.
"Do you even have the guts?"
"Someone like you shouldn't talk about guts," Leo replied.
"But rules are rules. You lost—now call me father."
Ethan was stunned.
"If you can't accept defeat, there's no point playing with you," Leo said.
Ethan's anger crossed all limits. He desperately searched for a way to win.
"Enough!" Ethan shouted.
"Don't forget your place just because you won two small competitions. And stop bothering Aria. If you've got guts—fight me."
"Get this straight," Leo replied coldly.
"I'm not bothering Aria. She *wants* to stay with me."
"Was it really necessary to announce that so loudly?" Aria snapped.
"You heard that?" Leo continued.
"I know you like Aria and want to impress her. But I'm not some nobody. I haven't troubled her at all."
At that moment, Ethan removed his vest. His muscles were clearly defined.
He climbed onto the stage and put on his gloves.
"I don't want to talk anymore. If you've got courage—come up here. Talk like a man."
This time, Ethan succeeded in provoking Leo.
Aria knew Ethan was a highly skilled fighter. She was sure he would defeat Leo easily.
Now she regretted bringing Leo here. She only wanted to make her colleagues jealous—not start a war.
Leo had crushed Ethan in the first competition—but this was different.
Fear crept into Aria's heart.
She grabbed Leo's hand."Enough. I won't let this happen. Let's go home."
Seeing her pull Leo away, Ethan shouted,
"Aria, I just want to teach him how to fight! You know what Riverdale has become—what kind of people roam the streets. Who will teach an officer of his rank how to deal with them? This isn't just competition—it's for his own good."
Then he looked at Leo."I'm not wrong, am I?"
"No… you do have a point," Leo replied.
"I don't want to hear this," Aria said sharply.
Then she whispered into Leo's ear,
"Ethan is a very skilled fighter. He's provoking you. Don't fall for it—or you'll go home in an ambulance, not a car."
Leo ignored her completely and stepped onto the stage.
"If you call me Dad, I'll definitely fight you," Leo said casually.
Ethan's anger exploded.
Leo's words stabbed deep into his pride.
But if he didn't say it, he'd lose his only chance to defeat Leo—and to impress Aria.
Swallowing his rage, Ethan forced the word out of his mouth.
"Dad."
For him, saying it felt worse than defeat.
"Good boy," Leo laughed.
"Dad will definitely play with you."
Leo stepped fully onto the stage. Ethan's teammates tossed Leo a pair of gloves.
"Need a warm-up?" Ethan sneered.
"I don't need a warm-up to fight you," Leo replied with a smile.
"Come on."
Ethan launched a powerful flying kick—but Leo blocked it effortlessly.
Ethan was shocked by Leo's speed.
He followed up with rapid punches using both hands—but Leo dodged them all.
Most of Ethan's attacks went to waste. Leo's reflexes were too fast.
Smiling, Leo said,
"Are you even trying to touch me?"
Ethan was exhausted now, breathing heavily.
"How can your dodging techniques be this good?" he asked.
Leo removed his gloves and tossed them to the floor.
"I'm tired of dodging too," he said calmly.
"Shall we fight for real now?"