Rachel's gentle bow was a stark contrast to the tension surrounding them. The man's nod was subtle, but his wink at Sophia spoke volumes. Her eyes widened in shock, and her mind racing, she finally pieced together the truth. This was indeed her uncle, Mr. Jonathan, the man they had been waiting for.
Coby's expression darkened as he realized the connection. His mind reeled with anger, and a bitter smile twisted his lips. He turned to Rachel, his voice dripping with malice. "So, this was your trump card. No wonder you were so confident."
His grin grew wider as he turned to his bodyguards. "Looks like we have company, but too bad their savior looks old." The bodyguards laughed, their amusement echoing through the airport.
But their merriment was short-lived. Coby turned to Mr. Jonathan, his tone dripping with disdain. "I suggest you mind your business, old man. Or else you might..." His words hung in the air, but before he could finish, a hand flashed towards his cheek.
Slap!
The sound echoed through the airport, stopping everyone in their tracks. The crowd gasped, and even the security personnel were stunned. They had been watching from a distance, fearful of intervening in Coby's business. But the sound of the slap drew their attention.
The security guards turned, their eyes scanning the scene to confirm who had received the slap. Coby's face reddened, his cheek stinging from the impact. His eyes blazed with fury, but Mr. Jonathan's calm demeanor only added fuel to the fire.
The air was electric with tension as the two men locked eyes. Sophia watched, her hearts pounding in anticipation of what would happen next. The crowd held its collective breath, sensing that the confrontation was far from over.
Coby's bodyguards were frozen in shock, their eyes fixed on their boss's reddening cheek. They stood motionless, trying to process the unexpected turn of events. The crowd around them was equally stunned, their collective gasp still echoing through the airport.
"What just happened?" one of the bodyguards whispered, his eyes wide with confusion. Another bodyguard elbowed him, "Shh, don't ask questions, just stand there and look tough." The first bodyguard nodded, puffing out his chest in an attempt to appear intimidating.
It is important to not that:
It wasn't Mr. Jonathan who had slapped Coby, but one of his bodyguards. The man's swift action had caught everyone off guard, leaving Coby reeling from the impact. The sound of the slap still lingered in the air, a stark reminder of the sudden escalation.
Coby's bodyguards had been surprisingly passive throughout the confrontation. They had shouted and postured, but ultimately, they had waited for Coby's permission before taking any action. In contrast, Mr. Jonathan's bodyguards had acted decisively, taking initiative without waiting for orders.
The consequences of the slap were evident. Coby's cheek was already swelling, his nose bleeding profusely, and his mouth filled with blood. He stumbled backward, his hand instinctively covering his cheek in shock. "What...what just happened?" he stuttered, his voice shaking with rage.
Sophia's eyes met her uncle's, and for a brief moment, they shared a connection. Mr. Jonathan winked at her again, his expression reassuring. Rachel, meanwhile, stood calmly, a subtle smile playing on her lips. She seemed to have anticipated this outcome.
Coby's anger boiled over, and he shouted at his bodyguards, "What are you standing there for? Shouldn't you be Protecting me!" His voice echoed through the airport, drawing attention from the surrounding crowd. The bodyguards exchanged nervous glances, unsure of how to respond.