Chapter 2 : A Stranger's Hand

Evan looked at the young woman.

"So... what happened?"

She lowered her head.

"I have no one left."

"I don't have a home."

"I don't even know where my next meal will come from."

"My family..."

"They're all gone."

For a moment, Evan remained silent.

Something inside him ached.

An idea suddenly crossed his mind.

"Come with me."

She looked up in surprise.

"Don't worry."

"I'll make sure you're safe."

After a few seconds of hesitation, she nodded.

"Okay."

Evan brought her to the mafia headquarters.

Everyone turned to look at the unfamiliar girl standing beside him.

It was the first time Evan had ever brought someone there.

"Dad..."

"This girl was trying to take her own life today."

"She has nowhere to go."

"I was thinking... maybe she could stay with us and join our team."

The old mafia boss looked at Evan for a moment before smiling.

He placed a hand on Evan's shoulder.

"If you've made this decision..."

"I'm sure you have your reasons."

"I trust you."

With that, he walked away.

Evan smiled.

Standing a few steps away was Lorenzo, the mafia boss's only biological son.

Since the day Evan had been adopted, Lorenzo had despised him.

He couldn't accept that his own father trusted an outsider more than his real son.

Seeing the boss accept Erica without asking a single question only fueled his anger.

His expression darkened.

Clenching his fists, he silently walked away.

Evan then turned toward the young woman.

"By the way... what's your name?"

She replied softly,

"Erica."

"That's a beautiful name."

"I'm Evan."

"Looks like I forgot to introduce myself."

Erica smiled faintly.

"I already know."

Evan blinked.

"You do?"

"How?"

"I never told you my name."

She became slightly nervous.

"Your... father called you Evan just now."

Evan paused for a second before scratching the back of his head.

"Oh..."

"Maybe I wasn't paying attention."

Erica was resting in her room.

A young maid entered carrying a tray of food.

"Mr. Evan asked me to bring this for you," she said politely.

Erica smiled softly.

"Thank you."

...

Meanwhile...

Evan stood alone in the garden.

For some reason...

He couldn't stop smiling.

Even he couldn't understand what was happening to him.

Why did meeting that girl make him feel so... different?

The next morning...

Erica walked into the training ground.

Without makeup, her face looked even more beautiful.

Natural.

Elegant.

Breathtaking.

Evan looked at her for a second before clearing his throat.

"Ready for your training?"

Erica nodded.

"Yes."

Evan threw her a pair of training gloves.

"Show me what you can do."

The moment the sparring began...

Everyone froze.

Erica's movements were incredibly fast and precise.

She blocked every attack with ease.

Even Evan looked surprised.

After the match ended, he asked,

"Where did you learn to fight?"

Erica wiped the sweat from her forehead.

"I've been training since childhood."

"I've won several national gold medals."

"I know karate, kung fu, taekwondo..."

"And I'm trained in firearms as well."

Evan stared at her in disbelief.

"Then..."

"Why were you trying to end your life yesterday?"

For a brief moment...

Erica fell silent.

Knowing how to fight...

Doesn't mean I know how to keep living."

The training ground became silent.

Evan looked at her quietly before speaking.

"I don't think you need combat training."

"You're already better than most of the people here."

A faint smile appeared on Erica's face.

"Then test me."

Evan picked up a pistol and handed it to her.

"See that can?"

He pointed toward a tiny can placed nearly fifty meters away.

"Hit the center."

Without a second of hesitation...

Bang!

The bullet pierced straight through the center of the can.

Everyone around them stood frozen in shock.

"Impossible..."

"That was a perfect shot."

Erica lowered the gun with a calm smile.

Evan chuckled.

"Looks like training you would only be a waste of my time."

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