For the first time, Arthur realized—he and Drake might actually speak the same language. As the voices from the surveillance footage continued to fill the room, Arthur’s eyes grew brighter. It really was surveillance. The courtyard had been under invisible surveillance all along—undetectable to the naked eye. No wonder they’d missed it. Now, the panic began. President Holland and the others were losing it. This footage hadn’t been set up in response to the current incident. It had been there all along—quietly recording every word and movement. Their lies, their posturing, their denials just minutes ago—all of it was about to be shattered. And now, they weren’t even worried about President Holland anymore. They were terrified for themselves. They had stood firmly behind him, covered for him, lied in Mr. Drake’s face… even Solivair. They may not have fully understood Drake’s methods, but Solivair did. Drake’s most hated offense was deception. The more righteously they’d spoken before, the more desperate they now became. Sweat poured down their backs. Panic hit them like a fever. Their minds raced for an escape route. But in Solivair’s head, only two words echoed. It’s over. He knew Drake well enough to see where this was going. His fate was sealed. His complexion went deathly pale, even whiter than a corpse. Of all those panicking, none were more desperate than President Holland himself.He scrambled to his feet. “Sir, I—” But the others cut him off in a frenzy, rushing to speak first. “Sir, this is a misunderstanding! We didn’t mean—” “Yes, Governor, it’s all just a mistake! We were just upset that Arthur hit someone—” The excuses piled up, but none of them made it past half a sentence. Drake’s icy gaze swept over them. And they shut up instantly. Just one look, and they didn’t dare make another sound. The footage kept playing. And then— President Holland’s leering voice echoed from the speakers. “Arthur, did you use your fiancée to please Mr. Drake?” “Who would’ve thought! You’re young, but you’ve got moves. Dragging around some whore and calling her your sweet little fiancée? Don’t lie—we all know she’s your bargaining chip for the Governor.” The moment those words played, the room dropped into a cold, heavy silence. Not because they were shocked by the vulgarity. But because they had just stood here and sworn that he never said any of that. Meaning—they had all just lied to Mr. Drake’s face. They didn’t know why their sponsors warned them never to cross Drake, but seeing his face now… they were starting to understand. Normally, a man would be flattered by this kind of rumor—Ashley was beautiful, after all. Any man would be tempted. If Drake had been interested, President Holland’s crude speculation could have played in his favor. A vulgar push toward a tempting opportunity. But clearly, Drake found the entire suggestion repulsive.Maybe he wasn’t interested in Ashley at all. Or maybe he simply hated being slandered—especially by someone like Holland. The footage continued. After those two sentences, there was a distinct thud. The exact moment Arthur’s slipper smashed into President Holland’s face. They all remembered that red, swollen footprint. Watching it now made Drake raise a brow in quiet surprise. He looked over at Arthur, visibly impressed. The kid had guts—facing down power and status just to protect the one he cared about. That was a man. But more surprising was Arthur’s strength. To leave a bloody sole print on a man’s face with a slipper? That took serious force. Then came the scene where Arthur vaulted over the gate and tackled Holland, hammering his fists into that wretched mouth—swinging like a machine, until the man’s teeth rained onto the ground. Drake watched, and for a brief moment—he enjoyed it. He had already been cold with rage after hearing those filthy insults. Now, watching Holland get beaten so viciously? It was almost cathartic. A small part of him even wanted to clap. Seeing those teeth fly, hearing the impact of each punch—it filled him with a strange, satisfying justice. The only disappointment? That Ashley had stopped it before Arthur could go further.