However, one of them had a stellar reputation, while the other had quite the opposite. Still, Nolan felt like he could never truly understand this playboy.
Samuel withdrew his gaze, giving a faint, indifferent smile. "I don't want to be like him."
"You have a point," Nolan agreed. "Living carefree is better; it feels like freedom. Fortunately, I'm not the only child, so the old man doesn't pressure me to take over the family business."
Samuel said nothing.
"Maybe you don't know this, but the Berry family adopted her just to use her as a blood bank for Demi. She's truly pitiful," Nolan added. "But even the pitiful can be infuriating. I don't think the adopted daughter of the Berry family has a good character."
He assessed the girl and couldn't help but be surprised. "But she's really pretty. Tsk tsk, even the girls in the capital can't compare to this one."
Samuel didn't say anything, his almond-shaped eyes lowering slightly as if lost in thought.
With no one to gossip with, Nolan lost interest. He was about to ask if the man beside him wanted to check out a newly opened bar when he suddenly exclaimed, "Oh, Samuel, the Berry family's adopted daughter is in trouble."
Five thugs had suddenly appeared, blocking the girl's path, their faces filled with malicious intent. Two of them were even brandishing knives.
Although many people nearby witnessed the scene, they merely glanced indifferently and quickly walked away.
"Now I believe in karma," Nolan remarked, not moving a muscle, clearly anticipating some drama. "Look at her delicate frame; she's pitiful."
Samuel didn't look over but instead said, "Go help her."
"Help?" Nolan thought he misheard. "Seriously, Samuel? You're asking me to help her? Do you know how bad her reputation is in Orinoco? If I step in, I'll be tainted by association."
"She's just a young girl," Samuel raised his eyes slightly. "You've only heard rumors. The world of the rich is full of deceit and manipulation. How can you know what she's truly like?"
Nolan had to agree. "But why do I have to help?"
Samuel lazily replied, "You know Karate."
"Fine, fine," Nolan relented. "I'll help her, but if she ends up clinging to me later, I'll say it was your idea."
"Yes," Samuel responded nonchalantly. "It was me."
Nolan was a bit reluctant, but before he could reach her, something unexpected happened.
The girl, without changing her expression, grabbed the leader's arm, and in one swift move, threw him over her shoulder effortlessly. Her movements were quick and decisive.
In under ten seconds, she swiftly took down the rest of the thugs with a series of kicks, punches, and elbow strikes, barely breaking a sweat.
Nolan was speechless: "…"
For heaven's sake!
Samuel slowly straightened up, his almond eyes narrowing before he suddenly burst into laughter.
Halley dusted off her hands, completely ignoring the strange looks from the onlookers. She rolled up her sleeves and continued walking.
Orinoco, the second largest international city in the country, boasted a booming economy and advanced technology but was also rife with chaos. The mingling of black and white, the prevalence of gangs, and the general desensitization to crime were all too common.
"Samuel, did you see that?" It took a long moment for Nolan to regain his composure. He pinched his thigh, letting out a sharp "shh." "I distinctly remember that girl was just in the hospital a few days ago. How could she single-handedly take down five men?"
"Yes, I saw it." Samuel slipped one hand into his pocket, gazing after the girl's retreating figure. "But I can't quite pinpoint her fighting style. It seemed like Muay Thai but also resembled Judo."
Nolan was taken aback. "Why do you say that?"
"Every move she made was extremely precise," Samuel chuckled softly. "If she'd applied even a bit more force, those five wouldn't be just lying on the ground."
Nolan broke into a cold sweat. "No way! Could she possibly know ancient martial arts?"
Ancient martial arts combine traditional training methods with modern science, making practitioners far superior to those trained in Karate like himself.
Ancient martial artists are rare in the country. Many wealthy families in the capital are desperately seeking authentic ancient martial artists, let alone in Orinoco. If any family could secure an ancient martial artist, they'd be able to compete against the old European tycoons. If the Berry family's adopted daughter knew ancient martial arts, would they still treat her as a mere blood bank? They'd be worshipping her instead.
"Martial arts, huh…" Samuel's gaze shifted slightly before it froze.
The girl ahead had suddenly changed direction and was now walking towards them.
Samuel narrowed his eyes and slightly tilted his head.
The streetlights illuminated his almond eyes, casting a reddish glow that softened his gaze, making it even more enchanting.
Very few people could withstand his piercing stare.
As she approached, Samuel could clearly see the blue veins beneath her pale skin, so fragile they were almost shocking. His brows furrowed slightly.
Nolan broke out in a cold sweat.
Don't tell him she overheard his gossip? Although he was a ninth-dan black belt in Karate and a man, with the stance she just displayed, she wouldn't even need two hands to take down a hundred guys like him.
The girl stopped in front of them. She raised her head, her eyes misty as she said, "You…"
Nolan's legs went weak, and with a "thud," he knelt down. "I was just gossiping for fun! I didn't mean any harm. Please, spare me, great master!"
Samuel looked amused. "Kneeling on one knee so sincerely? Are you proposing?"
Nolan: "…"
What a cowardly act!
Halley watched Nolan get up, slightly raising an eyebrow as she spoke slowly, "Three days from now, at Bar No. 1 on Huangpu Street, exactly at 7 p.m., you'll face a bloodshed incident. It's nothing serious, but starting from noon seven days later, I suggest you stay away from the Huangpu area, or you might be in real danger."
Nolan was stunned.
Hearing this, Samuel's slender fingers tightened slightly, his almond eyes widening as he asked in a deep, amused voice, "Little lady, can you tell fortunes?"
Halley didn't respond directly, only saying, "Thank you."
The thanks were merely a courtesy. Whether someone helped her or not didn't matter to her. She simply wanted to test how much of her fortune-telling abilities remained. It seemed she still had a long way to go before fully recovering. But for now, it was sufficient.
Nolan was even more perplexed. "What?"
Samuel glanced at Nolan, then back at the girl. His light amber eyes held a mesmerizing tenderness. "Little lady, isn't it a bit unfair to only thank him? Hmm?"
Halley's expression stiffened slightly.
Nolan was dumbfounded. "Samuel, come on, it's obvious you're the one bullying her. Did you take the wrong medication today?"
He knew Samuel was quite the playboy, frequently disappearing at night, making the Sherwood family anxious. They'd always find him passed out drunk in some shady place.