Time seemed to stretch endlessly before John finally yanked Zac down with force. A heavy thump echoed as Zac lost his footing, crashing onto his knees. He lifted his head, stunned. His kneecaps screamed in pain, but his fury burned so hot it drowned out the ache. Arthur’s voice cut through the moment, slow and indifferent. "Oh? That’s some real sincerity." Both Zac and John felt the bitter sting in their throats, almost coughing up blood from sheer frustration. Zac clenched his teeth. "I’m kneeling already. That’s enough, isn’t it?" John followed up quickly. "Arthur, Zac and I mean every word of this apology. There’s no deception here." No matter what, Arthur was still his son. A father kneeling before his own child in front of everyone—John didn’t believe for a second that Arthur could hold out under all this pressure and still refuse to let Gray Corporation go. If he really dared to be that stubborn, the people of South City would tear him apart. But Arthur had no interest in following their script. He simply observed them, his expression amused. "Who told you that kneeling and apologizing means I have to forgive you? That I have to let the people who humiliated me walk free?" John and Zac jerked their heads up, their eyes wide with disbelief as they stared at Arthur. "You—!" Zac’s rage finally exploded. He shot up and swung his fist straight for Arthur’s face. Arthur’s lips twitched into a faint smirk. Just as Zac’s knuckles were about an inch from his nose, Arthur’s hand shot out, catching Zac’s fist in a firm grip. His smirk widened into something almost playful as he leaned in, lowering his voice so only Zac could hear. "You threw the first punch. Remember that." A wave of dread washed over Zac. Before he could react, Arthur gave a quick flick of his wrist. In an instant, several large men closed in, yanking Zac away.Then came the onslaught. A barrage of fists slammed into him from every direction. His face. His ribs. His arms. Nowhere was spared. These weren’t just any men—they were trained bodyguards, and every hit was deliberate, heavy, and merciless. The air filled with gasps and terrified screams. It all unfolded in a blur. "Stop! I said stop!" John’s furious roar shook with desperation. He staggered to his feet, throwing himself forward to push the bodyguards away. But a middle-aged man who had spent his life in comfort was no match for trained fighters. Out of nowhere, a powerful kick slammed into his stomach, sending him flying backward. He crashed onto the ground with a heavy thud. His old, fragile body had already been beaten up once. Now, after that brutal kick, he couldn’t even move. Julie and her sisters shrieked and sprinted toward him. Before they could reach him, Zac came hurtling out of the crowd, his body smashing into John like a human wrecking ball. "Ah—!" A sharp crack rang through the air, followed by two cries of pain so synchronized they almost sounded rehearsed. There was no doubt—they had both broken ribs. John lay there motionless. Zac groaned weakly, barely conscious. The two of them were sprawled together like discarded corpses. The crowd stood frozen in fear. The women of the Gray family stood frozen in fear, their faces drained of colour. Even screaming had slipped their minds. Susie’s knees buckled, and she dropped to the ground. It was only now that they truly understood—Arthur was no longer the same person. He wasn’t someone to be messed with. They wanted to rush forward and help John and Zac, but the moment Arthur’s sharp, merciless gaze swept over them, they flinched and didn’t dare move an inch. Arthur’s gaze landed on them. Their bodies tensed. "You ladies thinking about jumping me?" he asked. The moment he spoke, the bodyguards swiftly surrounded them, their eyes locked on the women like they were threats that needed to be neutralized at any second. Arthur’s voice was light, almost playful, like he was asking a casual question or making a joke. But beneath it was something cold and unsettling. To the women, it was nothing short of a devil’s whisper—spine-chilling and cruel. Everyone watching finally grasped just how terrifying Arthur had become. Panicked, they scrambled to respond. "No, no, no!" Arthur seemed pleased with their answer. With an easy wave of his hand, he told the bodyguards, "They’re not a threat anymore. Stand down." "Yes, sir!" the bodyguards boomed in unison. Their voices were so strong and commanding that it sent a ripple of unease through the crowd.