Meanwhile, across the city, Darius sat in his spacious home gym, surrounded by his team. His longtime trainer, Marcus, watched as Darius pummeled a heavy bag with precise, brutal strikes.
"You made a mistake underestimating him at the presser," Marcus said, handing Darius a towel.
Darius wiped the sweat from his face and smirked. "I didn't underestimate him. I rattled him. There's a difference."
"He didn't look rattled to me."
Darius chuckled darkly. "Everyone's calm until they get hit. Let's see how long his composure lasts when I'm across the ring from him."
---
Later that night, Jack was studying Darius's fight footage when his phone buzzed. It was a call from Lena.
"Lena? Didn't expect to hear from you," Jack said, answering.
