Chapter 15: One Claw Shocks the Crowd, One Kiss Silences Them All!
Sia hurried to the back, anxiously sending a message to Alex.
[Sia: You better snatch that ball later! I don't want to go on a blind date with some random guy!]
Below the manor walls, Alex's phone chimed.
Seeing her message, the corner of his mouth hooked into a mischievous grin.
He replied: [I usually leave things to fate. Unless you beg me.]
Sia bit her lip, a flash of annoyance in her beautiful eyes. This Alex is such a jerk! Actually making me, the dignified Young Miss, beg him!
[Sia: Pretty please! I'm begging you! If you do this, I'll grant you one request afterwards.]
Alex pondered for a moment, his fingers tapping quickly on the screen. [Deal. No problem.]
Seeing Alex's reply, Sia smiled with satisfaction.
She wanted Alex to catch the embroidery ball primarily to get her parents off her back about blind dates and marriage.
She planned to start a fake relationship with Alex. After all, she didn't want to get married or fall in love so early. Living a free and single life was much better.
Besides, it was highly unlikely any man could truly enter her heart.
She put her phone away securely, walked to the balcony railing, looked down at the crowd, and announced in a clear voice, "I'm throwing the ball!"
"Three!"
"Two!"
"One!"
As soon as the words left her mouth, Sia tossed the embroidery ball straight in Alex's direction.
The ball traced a graceful arc through the air. The hearts of everyone present hung high in suspense, filled with curiosity.
Who would snatch this ball symbolizing luck and destiny?
Cyrus and Elena also watched with intense curiosity. Who exactly has our little princess set her heart on?
As the ball flew out, the eyes of the surrounding young men lit up. They leaped into the air, shouting loudly, "Mine!"
They jumped high, stretching their arms out desperately, trying to touch the colorful ball dancing in the wind.
Liam Lee chuckled lightly, his eyes full of disdain. "Amateurs!"
He activated his ability. His body shot up like a streak of black lightning. Just as his finger was about to touch the ball, he didn't forget to mock the crowd below:
"Only the strong deserve this ball!"
However, before he could finish his sentence, a black shadow flashed below him. Before anyone could react, the figure had already snatched the ball out of the air.
Alex landed steadily, the colorful embroidery ball gripped tightly in his hand.
A faint fragrance lingered on the ball, wafting around his nose.
Everyone present had just awakened recently, but Alex's realm was far higher than theirs, and his strength was greater. Naturally, he could jump higher. Snatching it from them was only logical.
Seeing the ball taken by Alex, everyone turned their gazes toward him.
"Who is that? He actually snatched it from Young Master Liam!"
"He looks familiar! Oh! I remember now, he's Alex, the one with the arranged marriage to the Vance family!"
"It's him? Doesn't he already have a fiancé? Why is he snatching this from us?"
Liam's face instantly turned ugly. "Alex, you already have an engagement with the Vance family. I hope you'll hand that ball over to me. Otherwise, don't blame me for getting rough!"
Hearing this, Alex casually tossed the ball in his hand, provoking him. "And if I don't?"
"Hmph. Then don't blame me... Snatching the ball implies a fight!"
Liam's eyes turned vicious. Just as he prepared to attack, cries of alarm erupted from the crowd.
"Holy crap... look at that giant black claw!"
Liam was startled. Instinctively looking up, he saw a massive Shadow Claw carrying a fierce momentum, smashing straight down toward him.
Boom!
With a loud crash, the Shadow Claw slammed down heavily. Liam was smashed directly into a deep pit in the ground, dust billowing everywhere.
Alex held the embroidery ball high and shouted, "Does anyone else want to try taking it?!"
For a moment, those who had been eager to try were scared into retreating, their faces full of terror.
Liam Lee was considered outstanding among them, yet he was instantly defeated by Alex in one move.
Unless they wanted to lose their lives, they didn't dare step forward.
One claw shocked the crowd!
Up on the balcony, Cyrus narrowed his eyes slightly, a flash of shock passing through them. "That's a Tier 2 Combat Skill, Shadow Claw... and it's at the Proficient level!"
His tone was filled with astonishment.
It was only the second day after awakening, yet he had already cultivated a Tier 2 skill to the Proficient level?
Even for an S-Rank Awakener of the same level, cultivating a Tier 2 skill would take months! Yet this Alex had done it in less than two days!
He was now certain that the person his daughter mentioned was Alex!
Sia watched Alex catch the ball steadily and awe the crowd with his handsome display of power. She couldn't help but mutter to herself, "Actually kinda cool..."
Just as she prepared to go down, a wave of noisy discussion erupted from the onlookers on both sides.
"A guy with an engagement coming to snatch a bride ball? Shameless!"
"No wonder the Vance family wants to annul the marriage. Alex probably got caught fooling around!"
"Exactly. Even if he's an S-Rank Awakener, he still doesn't deserve Elara Vance, and he definitely doesn't deserve City Lord Cyrus's daughter!"
"Tch, sour grapes. An S-Rank Awakener like him could crush you instantly!"
"Don't spread rumors if you don't know the truth!"
Listening to the harsh comments around him, Alex's lips curled into a cold sneer.
His parents had saved the lives of the Vance couple back then. He never expected them to bite the hand that fed them now!
Truly disgusting...
Just as he prepared to retort, he saw Sia jump straight off the balcony wall. "Alex! Catch me! Ahhhhh!"
Alex's heart tightened. He took two quick steps forward and caught her steadily in a princess carry.
Feeling the softness in his arms, Alex was momentarily dazed.
"Hmph. Looked enough yet?"
Sia's voice pulled Alex back to reality. He coughed awkwardly and laughed. "Ahem, not yet."
"You!"
Sia glared at him but wasn't truly angry. She wiggled out of his arms.
She turned around, her gaze sharp as she looked at the gossiping crowd. "Every single one of you is useless, so what are you being sour about? Alex is an S-Rank Awakener, a height you'll never reach in your entire lives! Calling sour grapes sour? Saying Alex doesn't deserve Elara? In my opinion, the Vance family isn't even fit to lick Alex's shoes! And another thing! I think Alex and I are a perfect match, so don't worry your little heads about it!"
After speaking, she stood on her tiptoes and lightly kissed Alex on the cheek.
Alex was stunned by Sia's sudden move.
The anger in his heart instantly dissipated, replaced by a warm current surging through him.
This girl... is actually kinda sweet...
Those who had been badmouthing Alex were shamed into silence by Sia's ruthless retort, lowering their heads and daring not to make another sound.
Indeed, Alex was an S-Rank Awakener and had the affection of a beautiful and bold girl like Sia. His life was practically perfect.
Sia's cheeks flushed slightly red, a trace of shyness in her eyes. "Hmph. Aren't you going to thank this Young Miss..."
She felt a bit panicked inside too. This was her first time having such intimate contact with a boy.
In her anger earlier, her head had gotten hot, and she acted boldly on impulse.
Alex softened his voice. "Thank you, Miss Sia. I owe you one."
"It's nothing. If you hadn't saved me yesterday, I would've been eaten by beasts without even bones left. I should be the one thanking you."
When a benefactor is in trouble, naturally, one must use their mouth to help!