Workplace Drama: My Ex is in Charge

Part 4 Chaos at the Bar

Emma didn't mean for things to get out of hand. She just wanted to cause a little stir. Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted a bottle of liquor on the bar, grabbed it without thinking, and swung it directly at Tom's shoulder.

Tom's reflexes were quick, as if he was used to this kind of attack. He dodged to the side, and the bottle crashed to the ground, landing right next to a girl's foot. She screamed, setting off a chain reaction of chaos.

Hearing the shrieks, Leo turned his head, saw the commotion, and without a second thought, jumped in with his friends to join the fight.

In places like this, fighting was less about who's right or wrong and more about pride—just punch first and don't lose ground!

They didn't lose either, because Tom had only brought three friends with him. By the time backup arrived, he'd already taken several punches, and Emma had thrown in a couple of kicks for good measure.

Seeing this, Leo pulled her back, but Emma wasn't satisfied. She shouted, "How can you let others fight your battles for you when it's time for revenge?"

Leo, taken aback by her boldness, yelled over the noise, "What the hell did you drink?"

Emma, looking a bit dazed in the midst of the chaos, thought for a second and replied, "Just iced tea."

"..."

Leo almost lost it. It was obvious she had downed a Long Island Iced Tea. Panicking, he quickly pulled out his phone to call Owen. He knew things could get out of hand fast.

Tom, used to being a spoiled brat all his life, wasn't accustomed to being on the losing side. Humiliated after being ganged up on and injured, especially in a place where half the people were familiar faces, his fury burned even hotter.

While the bar manager was trying to restore order, Tom was held back by security, still pointing angrily at Leo from across the room. "You better watch your back!"

Leo, holding back his still-rolling-up-sleeves comrade, shot back, "Sorry, Daddy's busy!"

Tom: "..."

He completely snapped. Breaking free from security, he charged forward, only to be kicked in the backside, sending him stumbling face-first to the ground, right at Emma's feet.

Emma took a good look at him and, seeing him on his knees, smirked. "Call me Daddy, and maybe I'll let this slide!"

Not to be outdone, Leo chimed in, "Yeah, call us both Daddy! There are two of us here!"

From behind, Owen, who had just pulled back his foot, said nothing.

The music had stopped, but the dim lighting remained, casting shadows that made it hard to see faces clearly.

As Owen was about to sit back and watch these two dig their own graves, Leo, sharp-eyed, suddenly recognized him.

Leo pointed to Tom, still half-squatting on the floor, and shouted, "Bro! It's him! He's been messing with Emma!"

Leo looked like he was ready to jump up and crack Tom's skull open. Owen glanced down at the man at his feet, his dark eyes gleaming coldly in the dim light.

Jack, the bar manager, looked on with a growing headache. Tom was the boss's cousin, a notorious playboy around New York. He practically lived at the bar, always bringing friends and making trouble. But on the other hand, Owen was introduced as a VIP, possibly even a close friend of the bar's owner.

Neither side was someone to offend.

Before Jack could think of a solution, Owen turned to him and requested a private room. Splitting the two groups up seemed like the best course of action.