Chapter 279

Evelyn paid no attention to the taunts. She reached into her pocket and slipped a silver ring onto her index finger before turning decisively toward the combat circle. Nathan followed her movements with sharp eyes.

Her opponent, Lillian, was a muscular woman with cropped hair who smirked at Evelyn with open contempt. "They expect me to fight this fragile doll? She'll crumble with one hit."

The hourglass flipped. Lillian charged forward, aiming to end the match instantly.

But Evelyn pivoted with surprising agility. Her hand shot out like lightning, seizing Lillian's wrist and yanking her off-balance. A well-placed kick sent the larger woman sprawling.

Gasps erupted from the spectators. "She can actually fight!"

Lillian scrambled up, teeth bared. She lunged again, locking her legs around Evelyn's waist to drag them both down. But just as she tried to pin her opponent, Evelyn twisted free with serpentine grace.

Nathan's grip tightened on his papers. His initial concern gave way to dawning realization. "Clever girl," he murmured. "She's not fighting strength with strength - she's wearing her down."

Rosalind bit her lip until it bled. This wasn't supposed to happen. That delicate Vanderbilt heiress shouldn't be holding her own against a trained fighter.

The sands kept flowing.

Frustration made Lillian reckless. She grabbed Evelyn by the waist and hurled her toward the boundary line. Evelyn hit the mat mere inches from disqualification.

Nathan's papers crumpled in his fist.

"Sis Evelyn!" Rachel's scream snapped Evelyn back to awareness. She rolled aside just as Lillian dove for her. But the larger woman caught her arm in an iron grip.

A sickening pop echoed through the arena as Lillian wrenched Evelyn's shoulder from its socket.

White-hot pain turned Evelyn's face ghostly pale. Lillian sneered, preparing to break the arm completely - until Evelyn's ring flashed upward. The sharp edge grazed Lillian's chin.

In that split second of distraction, Evelyn twisted her body and drove them both over the boundary line.

The referee's whistle pierced the air. The crowd erupted.

Winifred's face twisted in disbelief. "They both went out! The match doesn't count!"

Nathan rose slowly, his voice cutting through the noise. "The rules state elimination occurs when one fighter exits the ring. There's no provision for simultaneous exits."

Harrison nodded. "In such cases, the first to touch the line loses."

And everyone had seen - Lillian hit the ground first.

The defeated fighter scrambled up, clutching her bleeding chin. "This is bullshit! She cheated with that ring!"

Evelyn cradled her dislocated arm, sweat beading on her forehead. The pain was excruciating, but she met Nathan's gaze steadily.

The real battle had only just begun.