Claudia Ross was so focused on her own path that she paid no attention to her surroundings.
Mark Reed, keenly observant from inside the car, sensed something amiss and leapt out, sprinting towards Claudia.
By the time he reached Claudia, the man carrying the bucket was also in front of her, viciously splashing the contents of the bucket out.
In what seemed like slow motion yet happened so fast, Mark turned and embraced Claudia, using his own back as a shield.
The thick liquid splashed onto him, emitting a pungent smell of paint.
After dousing the paint, the man dropped the bucket and ran off.
Safe in Mark's arms, Claudia was unaware of what had just occurred.
She was even a little annoyed at Mark for abruptly hugging her.
After forcefully pushing Mark away, Claudia finally saw that he was covered in paint everywhere except the front of his body, which had been protecting her.
Mark looked disheveled with paint all over him, while Claudia only had a few droplets on her.
