Inferno Hearts | Xu Minghao

29. Shattered Dignity

༻✦༺ 　༻✧༺　༻✦༺

(prepare your sad playlist, guys)

She trembled with fear that went far beyond ordinary nerves. Standing before him, she couldn't escape the overwhelming sense of humiliation that coursed through her veins. It was as if she had been stripped bare on that stage, her vulnerability exposed to him. His gaze bore into her, his eyes tracing the contours of her body with an intensity that felt like a silent rating of her every movement.

His gaze bore the weight of shadows, a deep and brooding intensity that seemed to conceal a wellspring of emotions. The darkness in his eyes held a mixture of secrets and unspoken desires, casting an enigmatic spell that both intrigued and unnerved her.

Keeho's keen intuition picked up on the subtle shift in Nabi's demeanor. He rose from his seat, a sense of unease gripping his heart, and strode purposefully toward the stage. Nabi stood there, a statue of vulnerability, her body trembling beneath the mask concealing her eyes. He couldn't discern her expression, but an undeniable feeling of distress emanated from her.

As Keeho neared the stage, his steps quickening with concern, a sudden, unexpected obstacle halted him in his tracks. Before he could bridge the final gap to the stage, a signal passed between Minghao and Seungcheol, a silent exchange that set a chain reaction into motion. Keeho's path was abruptly severed, his trajectory altered in an instant.

Seungcheol's clenched fist swung with a raw fury, and it found its mark in a collision with Keeho's face. The impact sent shockwaves through Keeho's senses, a tumultuous mix of surprise and pain. His body, once resolute, now faltered and fell wide, a marionette whose strings had been abruptly cut.

Nabi's heart hammered in her chest as Keeho crumbled to the ground. Panic surged within her like a wild current, propelling her into motion. With a desperate cry, her voice pierced the air, carrying his name like a lifeline. She sprinted toward him, every stride fueled by a potent mix of concern and fear.

As if the world had narrowed to a singular focus, everything else around her faded into obscurity. Neytiri, the DJ, the staff—all vanished into a haze of insignificance. The only thing that mattered was Keeho, lying on the ground before her, a fallen warrior in need of solace and aid.

The path to him was a blur, her vision tunneled on his prone form. She dropped to her knees beside him, hands trembling as they reached out, hovering just above his fallen figure. Her voice, now softer but no less urgent, murmured his name again, like a prayer seeking refuge amid the chaos.

Minghao's glass met the table with a muted clink as he rose from his seat, the amber liquid still lingering on his lips. His steps were deliberate, each one echoing with a subtle authority that bespoke his presence. As he closed the distance, his gaze flickered toward Jeonghan, an unspoken command that rippled through the air like a shockwave.

Jeonghan moved with swift precision. In one fluid motion, he pulled Nabi away from Keeho, his grip unyielding. The sudden separation sent shockwaves through Nabi's trembling form, her cries escalating.

"Let me go!" she implored, her voice tearing through the air like a desperate plea, but Jeonghan remained stoic, his hold on her body growing tighter, as if determined to shield her from some unseen threat.

Minghao wasted no time. With an unflinching resolve, he bent down to lift Keeho from the cold floor. But there was no mercy in his actions. In a chilling contrast to his earlier calm demeanor, Minghao's next move was swift and brutal. His fist struck Keeho, a merciless blow that eclipsed even Seungcheol's earlier assault.