Chapter 532: What Remains of Silver Creek
One Month Before
The punch knocked the breath straight out of Tobias.
Pain exploded through his stomach as he doubled over, a strangled sound escaping his throat before he could stop it.
For a moment he could not breathe.
His lungs refused to cooperate, his ribs tightening painfully as he struggled to draw in air.
The blonde woman stepped back as though nothing unusual had happened.
Tobias remained bent over, one hand pressed to his stomach.
"Why—" he wheezed, trying to inhale. "Why would you hit me like that?"
The woman folded her arms across her chest.
"Because you're stupid."
Tobias slowly straightened, still breathing hard.
"I'm stupid?" he repeated weakly.
Nathan, who had been watching the exchange with clear amusement, rubbed his chin.
"Perhaps," he said calmly, "we should take this conversation somewhere more appropriate."
The blonde woman glanced around, and then she nodded.
"Fine."
She turned toward Tobias.
