A chilling moment that will forever be etched into memory, Callum froze while his gaze fell upon a heart-wrenching scene. Time seemed to slow down for Callum when he witnessed an unexpected, violent encounter unfold before his eyes.

A sharp gasp escaped the lips of the crowd simultaneously watching the horrifying scene as the glint of glass flashed in the air, followed by a gut-wrenching thud as soon as the sharp piece of wine glass found its mark.

The victim's eyes widened with shock and pain, her breath catching in a mix of disbelief and agony. The piece of glass pierced through her once delicate skin. Cutting through as it slides down with force.

The surrounding sounds faded into an eerie silence for Callum, replaced by the rush of adrenaline coursing through his veins when he witnessed the harrowing scene through his bleary eyes.

The line of blood oozed out of the deep cut, sliding from her arm and splattering onto her alluring white gown that he had lovingly bought as a gift for her. As he watched the vibrant red stain mar the pristine fabric, he couldn't help but reflect on how he had never imagined this beautiful dress would ever be tainted by her blood, a stark and horrifying contrast to his heartfelt intentions.

Drop by drop, blood trickled from her delicate arm. Serena endured excruciating pain, yet her sole concern was ensuring the man she loved remained unharmed in her presence.

The pain she would have to endure of watching the love of her life being hurt was the worst pain her delicate heart could ever hold.

Despite Serena's fear of sharp objects and her aversion to violence, she didn't hesitate to shield him from harm. Her love for him was so profound that she acted selflessly, without expecting reciprocation or redamancy in return.

With furrowed brows and a heart heavy with empathy, concern etched across Serena's features as her gazed met Callum in distress. The lines of worry on his forehead mirrored the depth of his compassion, when their thoughts raced to understand and alleviate the pain of each other.

Was he truly concerned for her wellbeing ? It was obvious in his pretty face. His face was the mirror to his feeling towards me. Serena thought while a weak smile spread across her pale face that manifested the pain she was enduring.

Their own worries momentarily took a backseat as their focus shifted intently on the well-being of the person in question. A mixture of empathy and a desire to provide solace emanated from Callum, his actions and words driven by an innate need to offer support to Serena.

He immediately pulled her into his arms, closer to his protective embrace, away from the danger that lured around her. Callum felt that Serena would be safe in his arms. He will be able to protect her if he kept her close by.

But unfortunately he failed to protect the only thing that was unknowingly important to him. His pretty eyes glistened with unshed tears.

As soon as Serena fell onto Callum's protective embrace, a cool wave of comfort washed over her. Like a cold gush of wind in the hot summer day.

She gladly took sanctuary in the welcoming arms of the man she loves so heartedly, his warm embrace offering respite from the intense pain and sorrows she was feeling in that moment.

In that moment, all the pain she was enduring made it all worth it. Serena felt an overwhelming gratitude for having him in her life, a love so deep that she cherished him more than she did herself, willing to endure any agony to ensure his safety.

Serena gaped up at the man who brought her nothing more than happiness and ease, a weak smile elicited her pale lips but soon faded, replaced by surprised look when she saw tears welling up in his eyes. The tears she had never seen.

Serena shook out of her reverie. As soon as the pain shot in her arm. Callum's grip around her arm accidentally tore her wound open.

Serena winched in pain but she did not express it in order not to concern callum, the concern that was evidently flickering on his handsome face. The face she only wished to see happiness beaming.

In a fleeting moment, Serena's head began to throb intensely, and her vision grew hazy. The sharp edges of Callum's chiseled features and the intricate details of his face gradually blurred into obscurity.

As if a gentle veil of uncertainty has been draped over her sight. The world began to spin for her when she looked down at her bleeding arm. Fresh line of blood sliding down from her new opened wound.

In a serendipitous twist of fate, Serena stumbled and found herself falling into Callum's waiting arms once again.

The warmth of his embrace and the rapid rythmic heart beats of Callum heart could be felt on Serena's cheek.

Lup-dup-lup-dup

His heartbeats intensified, conveying the fear and anxiety that welled up within Callum, yet he remained unaware of worsening her wound. He couldn't do much but felt the immediate need to cradle the fragile girl with his strong presence, offering her a refuge of safety.

Callum's concerned features were contoured with rage as soon as the anger resurfaced back in him. He smoldered with resentment, ready to erupt like a molten lava.

The usual concern that flickered in callum's gaze towards Serena vanished replaced by newfound intensity as his gaze averted towards the attacker. The only one responsible for the pain his best friend was enduring. His penetrating gaze pierced deeply into his soul.

His eyes turned black and soulless. Death could be seen lingering into the depths of his dark iris.

The adversary immediately retracted his steps but he wasn't as quick as Callum, Callum's hand instantly gripped around his neck firmly, leaving him no chance to run away from the ill fate that awaited him.

Serena was subconscious by the time and completely unaware that Callum had a firm grip on the man who had attacked her, holding him by the neck.

His slender fingers dug deeper into his flesh, adding pressure directly onto his windpipe carrying oxygen, his only source of life was begging under callum"s fingertips.

Luca, the son of Valentina Romano, found himself running low on the essence of life. He began coughing and writhing, resembling a fish struggling out of water.

Despite watching him struggle, it brought nothing more than pleasure to Callum. His grip around his neck tightened even more. When Callum's gaze landed onto the bleeding arm of Serena. His pointy finger tips dug deeper into the flesh, tearing through his skin mercilessly, like a cold blade of a sharp knife.

Callum's red eyes never left the victim's horried gaze, glittering and staring into his soul in pure malice and evilness.

The horror in the victim's eyes was terrifying to any soul, with his eyes popped out, begging for mercy.

"Let him go!!" A few voices of young men simultaneously boomed in the air in an attempt to rescue the victim. Seeing their friend on the brink of death, Luca's friends immediately came to his help and threw themselves onto Callum pushing him to the ground.

Serena gained consciousness as soon as she was pushed away from the familiar warm embrace which served as a remedy to all of her pain. As she blinked her bleary eyes open, she took in the unexpected scene before her.

She watched in horror as Callum fell to the ground with several men hovering over him, punching him. With each attack, Callum dodged proficiently, settling into a defensive stance as he assessed his unyielding foes. He felt pain in his leg and side, experiencing agony in every inch of his body!

Eventhough he was slightly wounded but he was not out of the fight yet.

Serena's heart raced in apprehension witnessing the violent scene that was expected to get worse by time. She finally came to the realization that if they don't stop the fight among these youngsters now, there's no telling what they will do to Callum!

Every time Callum fought with all his might, beating them to the ground, they would get up again to fight him. There were so many of them that it forced Callum's friends to join the chaos.

The young billionaire's father, Valentina Romano watching the chaos with wide-open eyes, lost his cool. He quickly sauntered towards old master, Alexander Crawford..

It was Callum Crawford, the grandson of Alexander Crawford, who acted heinously first! How could his grandfather stand still and let him carry on with his rebellious acts? Valentina shook in anger and thought to himself.

"Mr. Crawford, I have immense respect for you, but if you wish to maintain our partnership, please ask your grandson to stop behaving like a maniac !" Valentina spat angrily in hope of putting all of this chaos to end.

Especially to save his son. The way his son was severely beaten to pulp it looked as if he would die if not saved from the hands of the beast!

Alexander Crawford lowered his head in embarrassment. Never before had he lowered his head in front of anyone! But he couldn't help it now since Old Master Crawford knew he and his grandson were at fault here.

He then lifted his gaze to inspect the scene that he couldn't believe he was witnessing in front of him. Old Master Crawford looked at Callum with seething indignation that ignited a raging fire within him, causing his fist to clench tightly. He had enough; this was enough to cross his tolerance level.

"Callum!" Alexander Crawford's shout pierced through the chaos, bringing an abrupt halt to the brawl. In an instant, the young men ceased their fighting, enveloping the surrounding air in an eerie and complete silence.

Alexander Crawford was very disappointed; in his more than 60 years of life, he had never seen such an outrageous scene.

None of his sons acted this way, which made him wonder if Callum was indeed his biological grandson. How could it be? A violent beast like him who acts like a street thug. Most importantly, Old Master Crawford was furious that Callum was fighting for a girl!

He failed to properly educate him that money and business comes before any girl in his life! How could he have forgotten his upbringing? Didn't he teach him that he was born to be a businessman, not a pauper with empty pockets but love?

He wants to ruin his partnership and position in the business field to impress a girl! All of this sounds ridiculous and immoral to old master crawford.

"Stop at once!" Old Master Crawford warned Callum once again in a firm and assertive tone. Having no choice but to oblige orders from his grand father, Callum with a clenched jaw, released the spoiled young billionaire, Luca, hesitately by jolting him away from him."

"Have you not heard what I said? Release them!" Alexander Crawford's shout was directed at Callum's friends, who were regrettably displaying the same rebellious and arrogant behavior as his grandson.

When Old Master Crawford saw Callum's friend join the roguery, he reddened with even more rage. Callum was not only a changed person, but he also negatively influenced younger men around him.

Callum's friends responded hesitantly to Old Master Crawford's command, holding their ground. However, each of them turned their gaze toward Callum, waiting for any indication from him.

Their eyes widens in surprised disbelief when Callum endorsed what old master crawford said with a nod. They wondered why Callum couldn't see Old Master Crawford's unjust behavior towards them.

The spoiled billionaire, Luca deserved every ounce of pain inflicted on him and his arrogant friends. He had absolutely no rights to disrespect their beloved friend Serena, let alone any female.

Old master crawford temper sparked the moment he observed the friends were hesitating to give up, eventhough it was an order from him but they conferred with his reckless, foolhardy, and impetuous grandson. Why did they follow his orders when he behaved like a hooligan?

Does his grand son deserve respect after this heinous act ?

Soon after the room that was silent resounded with whispers. The crowd's reaction was a mix of rumors and excited gossip. The young men who were prominent figures were so spoiled and disrespectful. They behave like those people without reputation...

Many negative talks were circulating among people who now saw the true face of the influential people. They were no less than those who are poor and without morals!

Old Master Crawford clenched his fist to control his anger. He aimed to avoid further stirring up trouble that could make it nearly impossible to silence gossip. He understood that if he were to lash out at Callum, it would only further tarnish their already damaged reputation.

"Meet me in my study." Old master crawford commanded in an assertive tone before ascending upstairs. He wanted to escape the discontinuance of the whispers, and was aware of the cause. Ignominiously, it was none other than his own grand son who demise his reputation.

Curiosity filled the onlookers as they watched Old Master Crawford's back until he disappeared at the top of the stairs. With his departure, the signal was clear that the party had ended, prompting everyone to depart for their respective homes, leaving behind only those who had been injured and affected by the ordeal.

Shortly after Old Master Crawford departed, Callum shifted his focus towards the young girl standing beside him, giving her his undivided attention. Concern glistened in his eyes as he recognized her as the girl who feared sharp objects but had fearlessly taken a hit for him.

Despite his tough demeanor. Tears unknowingly formed in his eyes. His throat constructed when his gaze landed on the wound in her arm. The cut was peaking through the slightly torn sleeve which was tinted in her blood.

"Give me your hand." Callum whispered ever so gently with a hint of concern evident in his voice. Serena stretched her hand towards him and allowed him to inspect her injury while she observed the expression on his charming face.

"Thankfully it's not deep." Callum sighed in relief before meeting Serena's gaze which was already staring at him with warmth and full of love. Time seems to stand still for both of them as they were lost in each other's eyes the moment their gaze locked.

Serena stared into the depths of callum's chocolate gaze, losing herself in the enchanting scene within. His eyes were like pools of rich chocolate, deep and inviting, drawing her within their warmth.

The more she looked into his eyes she realized that it is the most captivating feature of his body. Something she could console in. He was her comfort, her happiness, her medicine to all of her pain.

Serena explored the depths of his gaze searching for love that she yielded for but unfortunately she couldn't find anything but emptiness. It was either that she wasn't an expert in reading a person or it is true that he saw her no more than a friend.

"Let me treat her wound," A voice snapped them out of their trance. Both of them turned towards the person at the same time. Chase, who was holding a box of first aid kit in his hand smiled at the two unaware of invisible force the two felt between each other.

None of them could decipher the connection between the two, except for one person who observed them closely: Serena's father. He alone discerned the hidden secrets, particularly those concealed within his daughter's heart.

The heart that was so pure and fragile which chose to love someone who will possibly give her nothing more than heartbreak but he decided to reassess his mind when he saw fire of concern and jealousy burning in Callum's eyes which were suprisingly coatted by tears.

Callum have always been known for his hard exterior since that is how his grand father, Alexander Crawford raised Callum to be, emotionless, especially when it comes to love. The old butler was like a father figure to Callum. He understood him just as much as he understood his beloved daughter Serena. There is no doubt he could be mistaken, David thought to himself.

David promptly grasped the young master's intentions toward his daughter, as the unmistakable signs of concern and jealousy, typical of a man deeply in love, were crystal clear to him.

It wasn't hard for the old butler who is a man proficient in matters of heart to see through Callum. Which wasnt possible for others since he loved Serena's mother sincerely and genuinely. A love that is a rarely found in rich families especially those who cared for money more than people but he was a butler who did belong to the life and status.

"I can do it myself." Callum growled, his voice latched with warning.

"No one shall ever dare to lay a hand on Serena again," Callum warned, but his gaze shifted towards the Romanos, who stood a few steps away, leaving no doubt that his warning was directed squarely at them.

With that said, Callum wrapped his arm around Serena, drawing her closer to his refuge, a clear signal to all that he would unwaveringly protect her. He then exited the vast ballroom, which had fallen into a hushed silence, its once-elegant furniture now broken and strewn across the floor.

"Dad did you see that ?" Luca Romano muttered under his breath, loud enough for his father who was standing beside him to hear.

"Does he believe he can threaten us simply because he's the son of the most powerful man?" The young, arrogant billionaire seethed with uncontrollable anger, pure rage coursing through him every time he dwelled on his defeat.

The arrogant billionaire, burdened with an excessive ego, couldn't bear rejection from Serena either. Who did she think she was, turning down a man? A young lady without the equal status to even hold the value of becoming his prostitute, had the audacity to refuse him. The arrogant millionaire harbored bitter feelings of resentment towards Serena.

As if the old butler could sense their anger, he turned towards the two, and they promptly composed themselves, feigning as though they weren't silently cursing Callum and Serena in their hearts.

"We'll meet you in the study," Valentina Romano forced a smile at the old butler, concealing the bitterness and malevolent thoughts running through his mind. The old butler reciprocated the smile and departed.

The two men watched the butler ascend the stairs until he disappeared from view. Valentina then turned to his son and whispered into his ear.

"Do you believe we can make this happen? After all, he is his grandson," Luca doubted the feasibility.

"Son, you don't know Mr. Crawford as well as I do. Leave it to me," Valentina said with a mischievous smile. Luca joined his father in smiling, envisioning the satisfaction of witnessing their nefarious plans succeed.

{ End of Chapter 5 }

What are the Romanos planning against Callum? Find out in the next chapter