"My brother is already waiting inside. Third Young Master, shall we go in now?"
Tyson Tai stood by the car door, not bothering to help open it, his face wearing a polite smile as he spoke.
Aside from the vicious glare he threw at Evan Lin at the start, Tyson has managed to keep his emotions well-hidden up to now.
What's the rush? Third Young Master already gave your brother face by coming here—why can't he wait a little longer?
Frank Bi stepped down from the driver's seat, leaned against the car door, giving Tyson a sideways look and an unfriendly face: "Or do you still have something to say? Didn't finish earlier, and now you want to add a few more words?"
Frank's words made Tyson seethe with anger, and recalling the kick he took just now, he pretended not to hear.
At that moment, Evan Lin had already gotten out of the car, completely ignoring Tyson, instead calmly sizing up the Southern Court Club building from outside.
From the outside, apart from the discreet sign, there wasn't much to notice about Southern Court Club. At least on the surface, this venue was far less eye-catching than the flashy Illustrious Gate Arena.
As for what secrets lay inside, you couldn't tell from the outside.
Selina Wu had already gotten out of the car and stood beside Evan Lin.
She quite deliberately positioned herself between Evan Lin and Tyson Tai, openly taking her stand.
Leon Lu and Gloria Rong came over, glanced at Evan Lin, nodded, and refrained from further comment, keeping the atmosphere tense.
Neither presumed to explain Evan Lin's connection to Allen Ju to Grace Liu, Wanwan Sun, Autumn Zheng, or Frank Bi.
With Allen Ju staying silent, everyone remained still. No matter how much Tyson Tai simmered inside, he was forced to stand there and wait.
After a brief pause, Allen Ju finally strode forward, heading toward Southern Court Club.
As they walked, anyone who recognized Allen Ju would nod or greet him. He replied with understated smiles and brief, polite exchanges.
Inside Southern Court Club, it was a whole different world: lavish decor, meticulous details, murals, and white-jade guardian beasts at the doors, all radiating a sense of luxury that felt almost unreal.
"My brother is just ahead. There are quite a few people here tonight, but everyone was really happy when they heard Third Young Master Ju would be coming," Tyson Tai said with a sly grin.
Tyson Tai led the way, his words laced with amusement as he glanced at Allen Ju: "And there's a special surprise prepared just for you, Third Young Master Ju."
Leon Lu and the others immediately frowned, sensing trouble.
"Why can't you just say things straight?"
Gloria Rong's voice was a bit cold: "What kind of surprise could Tyler Tai possibly have for Third Young Master? Sounds more like a scare than a surprise."
The sense that trouble was brewing was already thick in the air.
The Tai family and the Ju family had always been in separate camps, with plenty of conflicts of interest between them.
If not for Mia Liu, Allen Ju wouldn't even be here, let alone talking so much with Tyson Tai and giving Tyler Tai a chance to surprise him.
"If I spelled it out, wouldn't that ruin the fun?"
Tyson Tai smiled, then squinted at Evan Lin: "By the way, I haven't had a chance to get to know this unfamiliar friend. Later, if you have time, I'd love for you to tell me all about him."
"Tell me who you are, where you're from, and what exactly you are."
Tyson Tai's voice gradually chilled, his gaze growing sharper.
"Our friend—what business is it of yours?"
Before Evan Lin could respond, Leon Lu stepped up, grabbed Tyson Tai by the collar.
Leon Lu hadn't forgotten how Evan Lin helped him on Tidewatch Island.
Earlier, Evan Lin's kick was so quick and clean that Leon Lu didn't step in.
Now, gripping Tyson Tai's collar, Leon Lu shot him a sideways glance, looking ready to throw down at any moment—making his position crystal clear.
"If you want a fight, let's go one-on-one. Or I can take both you and your brother at once—how about it?"
Leon Lu grinned wide.
Tyson Tai's face changed instantly; he struggled free from Leon Lu's grip, his expression darkening with rage.
"They're right inside. Third Young Master Ju, please."
After speaking, Tyson Tai didn't linger, picking up his pace and heading forward.
"Coward."
Leon Lu spat, then looked at Evan Lin: "Just a reminder—if things really get physical later, don't get involved."
I've wanted to fight these guys for a long time, so just don't steal my targets.
He said this quietly beside Evan Lin, making sure Allen Ju didn't hear.
Leon Lu's group all knew that, for Allen Ju, Mia Liao was untouchable—a forbidden zone.
Whatever Mia Liao did was none of their business, but the messy web of relationships pulled in because of her really annoyed them.
"Once my brother arrives, just stand with him later," Selina Wu murmured.
Beside Evan Lin, Selina Wu checked the time on her phone: "He should be here soon."
Both Leon Lu and Selina Wu were thinking about how to keep Evan Lin out of the incoming storm.
Among their group, fighting was normal—as long as no one was seriously injured, they'd get over it.
But Evan Lin was different.
In their eyes, Evan Lin, from Seacrest Prefecture, was obviously someone with no impressive background.
Evan Lin might be a strong fighter, but could he really beat Nightstar, Moonshade, or Hidden Dragon elites in Beijing?
Those three special groups might not care about minor scuffles, but who knows if Tyler Tai will use Mia Liao's return as an excuse to set up some big traps.
If real trouble at that level broke out, Leon Lu's group could rely on their family connections to protect themselves, but helping Evan Lin might be beyond their capacity.
Most importantly, their families might not be willing to risk their reputation for the sake of a nobody.
While they maneuvered openly and secretly, Evan Lin's gaze wandered around, not with any special purpose, just surveying Southern Court Club.
Everyone walked inside with their own worries, passing through a corridor into a spacious hall ahead.
From the moment they entered, Allen Ju had hardly spoken, but now his body suddenly stiffened. When he saw the scene ahead, his expression darkened.
He felt a chill run from his feet to his scalp.