They Touched What Was Mine

"You're just buying time," said the taller cop, snapping the handcuffs open with a click. His shorter partner moved in, reaching for my wrist.

"We don't have all day. Don't make us get tough."

Lilian stepped in front of me, her voice steady, "1.5 million dollars? That's pocket change for me. Just wait; you'll get every last dime."

The cops guffawed at this. "Seriously? Did you sell yourself to some guy to be his sugar baby? Big words, lady. Hope you're not left hanging for cash that'll never show!"

Alora's laughter was even louder. "Riverton City, the Stewarts, the Yates? You're killing me! Begging me now? I might just spot you some change for your funeral!"

The bodyguards laughed along, the street echoing with their sneers.

The shorter cop shoved Lilian, annoyed. "Can't even save yourself, and you're still trying to play the big shot? Hand it over!"

However, as his hand grazed Lilian's wrist, a thunderous roar filled the sky, and a cloud of dust billowed up from the ground.

Lilian and I shared a smirk.

The Stewart family's chopper, emblazoned with their golden crest, was touching down, followed by a fleet of twenty Maybachs, lights flashing, all bearing the license plate 'STEWART-01'.

Alora's smirk snapped into a look of disbelief. "No... No way!"

The cars screeched to a stop, and a squad of bodyguards in black poured out in formation.

Two middle-aged men at the front marched toward us, eyes fixed on Lilian and me.

Seeing our bruises and tattered clothes, they scowled, visibly livid.

The Stewart family's longtime butler, Ronald Gibson, spotted the red mark on Lilian's wrist. Tears streamed down his face. "Ms. Stewart! Mr. Stewart said anyone who hurts you is going to pay!"

Ronald strode over and gave me a deep, formal bow. "Ms. Stewart, Mr. Yates is jetting back from the Kingdom of Montravia on his private plane. He heard you were in trouble, and now every cop car in Riverton City is on its way here."

Alora and the cops around her were totally shell-shocked, rooted to the spot, speechless.

Their earlier smugness had vanished, leaving only wide-eyed panic and disbelief.

Lilian smoothed out her clothes and gave Alora a sly smile. "1.5 million dollars, right?"

She flicked her gaze to the butler. "Go on, bring out the cash and count it for her."

With a casual gesture from Ronald of the Stewart family, a bunch of hefty black cases snapped open all at once.

They were packed with crisp, orderly stacks of cash.

Alora's knees buckled, and she stumbled backward.