Allison''s eyes turned icy. "If anyone here''s looking for trouble, it''s you."

    Trayson''s face darkened, and Watson instinctively stepped in front of Allison, trying to shield her.

    But Allison just nudged him aside. "Move. I want to see how far he''s willing to push his luck today."

    She stepped forward, giving Trayson a cold, mocking smile. "What''s wrong? Ready to spend another night in jail?"

    "Screw you!" Trayson snapped, lunging at her.

    Allison smoothly dodged his attack, about to fight back, when suddenly-

    A foot shot out from the crowd, mming into Trayson''s stomach and sending him flying backwards.

    Gasps erupted all around. The Spring Falls crowd stared in shock, hands over their mouths.

    Who would dare pull something like that? Who had the guts to kick Trayson in front of everyone?

    Every head turned to the man responsible.

    And for a moment, the whole ce went silent.

    He was, honestly, breathtaking. Sharp features, impossibly handsome, tall and lean with an air of danger that seemed to chill the air around him. His eyes were cold, hard, and absolutely lethal.

    As more people gathered, someone finally recognized Joshua and Allison.

    "Wait-isn''t that Joshua and Ms. Owens? What happened?"

    The crowd buzzed with excitement.

    "No way. You''re telling me the guy in the ck shirt is Joshua? As in, THE Joshua Fisher from the Fisher family?"

    "Yeah! That''s him-Joshua Fisher,

    Oak Lake''s top dog, sole heir to the Fisher Corporation. And the

    gorgeous

    woman next to him?

    That''s his ex-fiancée, Allison

    Owens."

    "Joshua? No wonder he''s so good-looking. I''ve heard about him forever, but

    seeing him in person? Wow."

    "So Trayson tried to mess with Ms. Owens? Are you kidding? He''s done for. The Qwens family''s the wealthiest in Oak Lake. And Joshua and Ms. Owens used to be engaged! Trayson really picked the wrong people to piss off this time

    "That''s what he gets for acting like a jerk everywhere he goes. Always picking fights, making enemies... now he''s gone after Oak Lake''s most powerful duo. He''s the one looking for trouble."

    "I never liked Trayson anyway. Can''t wait to see Joshua put him in his ce.”

    "Thank goodness! I was worried about Ms. Owens, but it looks like Trayson''s the one who should be scared now. Serves him right."

    "Lottie even used her of wearing fake clothes and a knockoff bag. I never bought it just look at her. She''s got that heiress vibe."

    "Totally! She carries herself like someone who grew up with money. Unlike Lottie, who thinks she''s rich because she clings to Trayson and a bunch of stic surgery."

    "You can''t stand Lottie either? Same! It''s honestly so satisfying to watch her finally get called out."

    ...

    Trayson staggered back to his feet, clutching his stomach, face pale. He tried to spit out a curse, "You little-"

    But as soon as he saw Joshua''s face, the words died in his mouth.

    Trayson''s whole demeanor changed in a split second, a greasy smile spreading across his face. "Mr. Fisher, what brings you here?"

    He''d seen Joshua twice before.

    Once, five years ago, at the mayor''s birthday party in Spring Falls.