CHAPTER 501: CHAPTER 501: I ADMIRE YOUR COURAGE

Whoosh~

A small hole burst open on the ground in front of Ivana Monroe’s toes. They were holding silenced guns; the shots were silent and unnoticed.

"Beautiful lady, you’d better stay still. All of us are injured and have no patience to play hide and seek with you. If you want a few more holes in your body and to experience the agony of ecstasy and death, big brother will fulfill your wish."

"Stop wasting time with her, get her now!"

Julia Sinclair tightly gripped the diamond necklace, her heart burning with jealousy. Such a valuable piece should have been gifted to her by Leon Keane, gracing her snow-white neck.

Because of Ivana Monroe’s appearance, she seized everything that originally belonged to her.

She couldn’t tolerate Ivana standing there unscathed for even a second. She wanted Ivana to be ravaged by these beasts immediately.

"Shut up, you filthy woman."

Julia’s incessant chatter was so annoying that, if not for the power backing her, they would’ve shot her already.

Julia’s lips trembled with anger. You damn beasts, just wait! Once I’ve used you up...

The men approached Ivana. Two reached out to grab her.

Ivana instinctively dodged. As the men drew closer, a potent mix of smoke and stench filled the air, making for a nauseating blend.

"Don’t move, beautiful. If you dare move again, the bullet will pierce through your soft, white skin."

The man speaking pointed his gun at Ivana’s chest, his eyes fixed on her beautiful face, gulping audibly. Up close, she was even more stunning. Her delicate skin was flawless, unlike Julia’s, which bore darkened patches.

He couldn’t resist stroking her face, his heart fluttering: "Wow, beautiful, your skin is so smooth. Come... give big brother a kiss."

Ivana’s skin crawled; she felt utterly disgusted. Seeing the man pucker his thick lips, inching closer for a kiss, Ivana snapped. She seized his gun-wielding hand and twisted with all her might, kneeing him brutally.

"Ah~ It hurts so much!"

The man shrieked like a slaughtered pig.

"You want to die?"

"Bitch."

Witnessing the scene, the other two cursed fiercely at Ivana, both shocked and angry.

They had assumed Ivana was a harmless bunny, not expecting her to strike with such viciousness.

Already injured, they couldn’t risk another mistake. They planned to incapacitate her first before... overpowering her.

Bang! Bang!

Two shots rang out.

Ivana went pale, though she felt no pain. Instead, she heard screams from the men who had aimed at her.

An unusual noise came from the sky.

Ivana looked up to see a helicopter and a ladder extending from it. A man dressed in black clung to the ladder with one hand, while his other hand held a gun, coolly aiming at the wailing men below.

Who is he?

Ivana couldn’t see clearly, but her heart surged with gratitude, eyes misting slightly. Whoever he was, she was immensely thankful; she owed him her life.

Julia froze. What was going on? Why would someone arrive to save that bitch Ivana?

She thought of Derrick Stern and Leon Keane leaving earlier. Could Leon have sent someone to rescue Ivana?

No way, Leon hadn’t brought any bodyguards. Even if he knew Ivana was in danger, it wouldn’t be possible to get backup here so quickly.

The ladder neared the ground, stirring up dust that blinded both Julia and the wailing men.

Richie jumped down, and the helicopter halted.

He quickly reached Ivana, his gaze full of concern: "Woman, are you okay?"

Ivana looked at the attractive man before her. That familiar voice confirmed his identity. She was incredulous: "It’s you."

Richie raised an eyebrow, stroking his chin. Today, he wasn’t wearing his mask: "Am I to your liking?"

"What?" Ivana didn’t quite grasp his meaning.

"It’s nothing."

Richie blushed slightly. He didn’t know why those words had slipped out, as if he were advertising himself.

He was already so outstanding; he didn’t need to sell himself to this woman, unless something was wrong with him.

"Trying to run? No way." Thunder exited the helicopter and saw Julia fleeing towards a car. He caught up and twisted her arm behind her back.

"Ah~ It hurts, let go of me!"

Julia cried out in pain, fear gripping her heart.

"Serves you right." Thunder said without mercy, "Daring to call someone to harm Ivana, you should be prepared to face the wrath of our boss."

"Who is your boss?" Julia’s eyes were bloodshot. Who was this "boss" that suddenly appeared to help Ivana? She had been so close to having Ivana completely ruined.

She hated this "boss."

"Boss, she wants to know who you are," Thunder called out to Richie.

"She doesn’t deserve to know."

"Did you hear that? Our boss said you don’t deserve to know."

Julia’s expression twisted. She suddenly thought of the diamond necklace in her hand.

"I have a diamond necklace worth millions. I’ll give it to you if you let me go and stop meddling in Ivana’s business, okay? She brought this on herself anyway."

Thunder stared blankly at Julia.

Julia felt a surge of hope, believing money could indeed make the world go round. If they were greedy, things would be simpler.

Julia calculated, planning to have Thunder overpower Ivana shortly since these three were now useless. Ivana’s man was too handsome. If he did anything to Ivana, it would be too good for her.

"I admire your courage."

Thunder looked at Julia, full of sympathy. Even now, she was thinking of dealing with Ivana? Was she trying to provoke their boss’s wrath?

Good for her!

Richie heard this, his stunning eyes turning dark and sinister.

He held Ivana’s small hand.

Ivana tried to pull away. He gently tightened his grasp, whispering: "Come with me."

Ivana looked at him in confusion, not asking anything, and followed Richie to stand before Julia.

Rivals meet.

Julia stared at Ivana with dark jealousy. If she could tear Ivana apart, she would do so without hesitation.

Richie stretched out his hand to Julia: "Where is the necklace?"

Julia took out the necklace, her eyes stinging again upon seeing Richie’s hand holding Ivana’s. Why were all the good-looking, outstanding men gathered around Ivana, treating her like a prized possession?

"Here’s the necklace. Do you like Ivana or money?"

Richie was caught off guard; his uncontrollable heart began to race again.

Ivana glanced at Richie, making his heart pound even harder.

"Ha ha..." Richie laughed to cover up: "Like her? You’re overthinking it. How could she compare to money?"