His footsteps pounded loudly against the pavement.
The men turned at the sudden sound—but before they could react—
Thud.
The man who had pushed Sophia was struck by a brutal kick to the back, sending him crashing to the ground. His head slammed against the edge of the concrete curb with a dull crack.
The other two men froze in shock.
Then the one holding the knife lunged toward Magnus to stab him.
But Magnus moved faster.
He grabbed the man’s wrist mid-attack and twisted it violently.
A sharpcrackechoed in the quiet street.
The knife clattered to the ground as the man screamed in pain.
The second man lunged at Magnus, trying to punch him. But Magnus caught his wrist mid-air. With a sharp twist, he forced the man’s arm behind his back and shoved it upward. A loud crack echoed through the street as the man cried out in pain, his shoulder popping out of place.
The noises quickly drew the attention of the security guards stationed nearby.
They rushed toward the scene at once.
“Mr. Graves!” one of them called out the moment he recognized him.
Another guard immediately pressed the button on the radio clipped to his shoulder. “We need backup outside—now!”
Within seconds, more guards flooded in.
Six security officers surrounded the three attackers, pinning them down and restraining them with swift, practiced movements.
“We’ll handle them, Mr. Graves,” one of the guards said firmly.
Magnus stepped back, his chest rising and falling as the adrenaline slowly faded.
His eyes immediately moved to the side.
Sophia was sitting on the ground near the wall. She looked shaken, her face pale.
Magnus’s gaze quickly swept over her from head to toe, checking for injuries. Fortunately, she didn’t seem hurt—only frightened.Before she could even catch her breath, Magnus strode toward her.
Without saying a word, he bent down and lifted her into his arms.
Sophia gasped.
“I can walk by myself!” she protested, trying to push against his shoulder.
Magnus shot her an irritated look.
“Can you stay still for five damn minutes?” he snapped.
Sophia opened her mouth to argue again, but the firm grip of his arms made it clear there was no point. She fell silent as he carried her to the car.
Their driver, parked a short distance away, spotted them immediately and pulled the car closer. The vehicle came to a smooth stop right beside them. He quickly stepped out and hurried around to open the back door.
Magnus gently lowered Sophia onto the seat before sliding in beside her.
