They Hated Me in My First Life, But Now I Have the Love System

Chapter 618: That Sounds Painful

“You don’t ever run out of something to say, do you?” Nnenna remarked, pointing out the same pattern she had noticed the previous day.

“Not when I’m with someone like you,” he admitted, his tone serious now, stripped of his usual joking edge. “I’ve got to use my best cards just to get your attention.”

That was when Arthur’s voice cut in, calm, but with a sharpness that made Darius glance up. “I think it’s time you left,” Arthur said. His eyes lingered a fraction too long on how close Darius was to Nnenna, and for once, his tone wasn’t just cold. It was possessive.

“I don’t think so,” Darius rejected flatly, his usual smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.

“You know I can have you fired,” Arthur threatened, his voice low and cold, but Darius didn’t even flinch this time.

“You can,” Darius shrugged, “but then you’ll have to explain to Carl why he has to go digging for some third best replacement to help his precious little sister. And I’m sure you’re not willing to gamble with her care. At least you’ve known me for years. Last I checked, the girl who clinched third place isn’t even in our circle. Tell me, Arthur, are you really ready to hand her over to a stranger?”

Arthur’s jaw tightened, his silence speaking louder than words.

“My sessions can happen anytime, anywhere,” Darius continued smoothly, clearly enjoying the upper hand. “So, whether you like me here or not, my presence is important for her treatment. So…” he leaned back, folding his arms smugly, “do I start packing my bags, or should I join your little morning routine?”

Arthur didn’t reply. His expression was unreadable, but his silence carried a warning.

Without being told, Nnenna wheeled herself into position, breaking the tension in the air. She didn’t say a word, but her action alone reminded both men why they were really there.

in front of the practice dummy, his tone clipped but

called Palm Root Striking. It relies on your upper body, your shoulders, arms, and the heel of your palm. No kicking, no shifting weight onto

his hand, fingers loose but wrist firm, and thrust forward. The thud of

in her chair, eyes wide.

as though it were obvious. “With precision, even someone twice your size will feel

wonderful,” Darius drawled from the sidelines, arms crossed. “Teach the princess

level with Nnenna. His voice softened, his words chosen with care. “What matters is not brute force. It’s where

adjusted her wrist

“Now when you strike, imagine the

palm smacking the dummy. The sound was weaker than Arthur’s, but

with a rare approving nod. “Do

“Careful, Iceberg. She’ll flatten you one day and I’ll be forced to testify that you brought

frigid glance but kept his focus

“I’ll be breaking

necessary, yes,” Arthur replied

clapped once, grinning. “Brilliant. In a month she won’t need bodyguards, she’ll

time when Nnenna struck, the thwack was sharper, more solid. She blinked at her hand, a thrill

mouth almost curved into a smile. Almost.

shifted slightly, his voice

technique. With angles and timing you can work it out. Using your arms, you’ll guide an opponent’s attack away