Ashley had been watching the fight closely from the very beginning. Although the distance and the deafening roar of the crowd prevented her from hearing every word, she managed to catch fragments of the conversation. Combined with her ability to read lips, it was enough for her to piece together a rough picture of what was happening.

More importantly, she was watching Drake.

She saw the subtle changes in his expression unfold one after another. First came distraction, as though something outside the arena had captured his attention. Then came a burst of overwhelming rage that turned his entire demeanor frightening. Moments later, that anger gave way to fear, genuine fear, before finally sinking into a look of despair so profound that it seemed as though he had already accepted defeat.

And yet, Ashley noticed something else.

Despite the hopelessness clouding his face, a tiny spark still lingered in his eyes.

He didn’t want to give up.

How could he?

Drake was fighting for the prize money needed for his wife’s surgery. At the same time, his daughter have fallen into the hands of dangerous people who were now using her as leverage against him.

It was an impossible choice.

On one side was his wife, whose future depended on the outcome of this fight. On the other was his daughter, who could be suffering at this very moment. No matter which direction he turned, he would be forced to abandon someone he loved.

The burden was enough to break any man.

Understanding enough of the situation to know that something was terribly wrong, Ashley subtly signaled her brother before gesturing toward her phone, silently telling him to look into the matter immediately.

Ashley quickly sent a message to her brother.

"Brother, I think something is wrong with Drake. Could you head backstage and find out what’s going on? If possible, help him..."

After sending the message, she slipped her phone back into her pocket. Not long afterward, Gage rose from his seat and quietly left the VIP area.

Ashley turned her attention back to the arena, her gaze fixed on the battered fighter below. It wasn’t just because she and Gideon had placed their bets on Drake once again this round. What truly unsettled her was the look in his eyes. The desperation she saw there felt hauntingly familiar, mirroring the helplessness and despair she had experienced when she had stood at death’s door herself.

That memory stirred something deep within her. Compassion and empathy surged through her veins as she watched Drake struggle, making it impossible for her to simply sit back and view the fight as nothing more than entertainment.

As expected, the fight did not last much longer before the reigning champion once again emerged victorious. However, unlike the thunderous reception he had received upon entering the arena, the crowd’s cheers were noticeably subdued this time. The match had been painfully one-sided, lacking the excitement and intensity they had hoped for.

Meanwhile, Drake lay motionless on the bloodstained canvas, resembling a wounded stray that had lost its final battle. His body was battered, his spirit crushed, and the last traces of hope in his eyes had all but faded.

Silent tears streamed down his face as thoughts of his daughter and wife consumed his mind. No one knew the burden he was carrying or the desperation that had driven him into the ring. At that moment, he felt powerless, helpless, and painfully aware of his own weakness.

The champion, however, paid little attention to the crowd’s lukewarm reaction. Their opinions meant nothing to him. As long as he stood at the top, defended his title, and walked away with the prize money, nothing else mattered. Victory was victory, regardless of how it was earned, and tonight, the championship belt remained firmly in his grasp.

Ashley watched the aftermath of the fight with a cold, unreadable expression. Just then, her phone vibrated in her hand. Seeing that the message was from Gage, she immediately opened it.

"Found a couple of suspicious guys guarding the restroom. I knocked them out and found a battered little girl inside. She’s covered in bruises and was still clutching a water bottle when I found her. She looks like Drake’s assistant..."

Attached to the message was a photo of an unconscious young girl resting in Gage’s arms. Her clothes were dirty, her face was swollen from the beatings she had endured, yet her small fingers remained tightly wrapped around the water bottle as if it were the only thing keeping her going.

After sending the message, Gage slipped his phone away and carefully carried the girl out of the restroom. Without hesitation, he headed toward the infirmary.

As a soldier, protecting the weak was instinctive, ingrained into his very bones. The moment he noticed something suspicious, he had already suspected that Drake was being controlled through underhanded means. Ashley had likely reached the same conclusion, which was why she had sent him to investigate in the first place.

Now he had his answer.

The champion’s camp had used a defenseless child as leverage.

The realization made Gage’s blood boil. His jaw clenched so tightly that the muscles along his face twitched. Of all the despicable things he had witnessed, using a ten-year-old girl as a pawn was among the lowest.

Suppressing the fury threatening to erupt from his chest, he quickened his pace toward the infirmary. Along the way, several staff members noticed the unconscious child in his arms. They exchanged uneasy glances with one another before silently falling in behind him, their expressions growing increasingly grim as they pieced together what had happened. 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

Meanwhile, Ashley’s grip around her phone tightened as she stared at the message and photo Gage had sent. The warmth and sweetness that had colored her demeanor moments ago vanished without a trace, replaced by a chilling coldness that seemed to lower the temperature around her.

Her eyes hardened as she reread the message, and a dangerous glint flickered deep within them. Anyone familiar with her would know that she was genuinely angry.

The first to notice the change were Gideon and the masked man.

Gideon had been paying close attention to her the entire time, and the subtle shift in her expression did not escape him. The gentle girl who had been showing compassion toward Drake moments ago was gone. In her place sat someone calm, composed, and frighteningly cold.

Even the masked man’s gaze lingered on her for a moment longer than before, sensing the abrupt change in atmosphere.

Gideon’s brows furrowed slightly. Reaching out, he gently placed a hand on hers before asking in a low voice,

"Baby, what’s wrong?"

His tone was soft, but his eyes were sharp as they searched her face for answers.

Ashley didn’t mince her words as she voiced her suspicions.

"I found Drake’s behavior strange," she said thoughtfully. "Earlier, he looked determined, completely focused on winning. But the moment this round started, he seemed distracted. He kept looking around as if searching for something, and his assistant suddenly disappeared as well. Then, after the champion whispered something to him, he completely lost control and exploded in anger. And just as suddenly, he stopped moving altogether."

She paused, her gaze narrowing slightly.