Chapter 213: Zachary Dawson's Glare Silenced the Crowd Instantly

Zachary Dawson's glare silenced the crowd instantly.

With a yellow-toothed grin, he reached for Rose Jackson's shoulder. "Come with me, sweetheart. I'll treat you right—"

His words were cut short by a sickening crack as his wrist was twisted behind his back.

"Ow! Who the hell—" Zachary barely had time to curse before a fist slammed into his face, sending him sprawling to the ground.

His two lackeys finally registered the towering figure looming over them, eyes burning with fury.

"W-who are you?" they stammered.

"Let her go!" Nolan Brooks's roar made them flinch.

Rose's eyes welled with tears. "Nolan!"

Spitting blood, Zachary discovered a missing tooth and saw red. "You asking to die?" He charged at Nolan, only to be kicked three meters backward.

The lackeys scrambled to help their boss while Rose darted behind Nolan, clutching his shirt.

"Stay back," Nolan murmured. "No one touches you while I'm here."

Rose's heart warmed as she retreated into the crowd.

Zachary snapped. He whipped out a dagger, and his men brandished knives. The onlookers scattered—except for Rose, who stood her ground, bamboo basket in hand.

"Walk away while you can, punk," Zachary sneered, waving his blade.

Nolan smirked and pulled a fire poker from his pack. "Be careful!" Rose cried, stomping her foot.

That was the last straw. "Kill him!" Zachary howled.

Clang! Nolan disarmed the first attacker with one strike. But as he turned, cold steel grazed his arm—Zachary's sneak attack drew blood.

Rose screamed.

Nolan's gaze turned glacial. The poker became a blur, breaking one thug's arm before a kick sent Zachary crashing down again.

"Mercy, sir!" Zachary begged, all bravado gone.

Rose rushed forward, tugging Nolan's sleeve. "Stop!"

Nolan relented but delivered a final kick. "Next time I see you, I'll break your legs!" He pointed to his bleeding arm. "I was butchering pigs while you were still in diapers!"

Zachary's face crumpled. Today, he'd picked the wrong fight.

"I'm leaving! Right now!" He scrambled away like a beaten dog.

Rose tore off her headscarf to bandage Nolan's wound. "Does it hurt?"

Cheers erupted as the crowd returned, praising Nolan's bravery.