Chapter <b>193 </b>


    <b>Chapter </b><b>193 </b>


    As soon as the words left her mouth, Aria struck first, her fist aimed straight for Owen’s face.


    He threw up his arm to block, swinging his elbow in a sharp arc toward her neck.


    Aria twisted, leapt into the air, and as shended, drove her knee into his shoulder, her palm snapping down at his head.


    Owen reacted instantly–he dropped to one knee, ducking his head to dodge her blow while catching her anikle with his hand.


    She hooked her leg around his neck, and he rolled, flipping their positions in an instant.


    “Holy-”


    A couple of staff watching from the hallway stared, eyes wide.


    From the way they were fighting, there was no way these two were a couple.


    Everyone had expected some sweet, flirty action from a pair of pretty lovebirds–no one expected a no–holds–barred showdown.


    And these two weren’t just y–fighting. They both knew what they were doing.


    The staff kept watching, glued to the action.


    Neither Aria nor Owen held back–every punchnded with real force. <ul><li></li></ul>


    Owen was stunned by Aria’s skills.


    Eight years ago<b>, </b>she’d been talented but impulsive, easy to read.


    Now, her strength nearly matched his, and she was so much quicker.


    Aria darted to his side,nding a solid kick to his ribs.


    His body pitched forward, but he managed to catch himself and spin around.


    She came at him again, he blocked, countered–but then her arm shed out, locking around his throat.


    She wasn’t going for his chest.


    She was going for the kill.


    Owen bent his knee forward, trying to throw her off, but Aria twisted and pinned him down.


    They crashed to the mat, Aria on top, her hands still around his neck, the other twisting his head back.


    If he were really her enemy, this was the moment he’d hear the snap of his own neck.


    With Owen as her cushion, Aria didn’t feel a thing. She grinned. “You lost.”


    A drop of sweat slid off her nose andnded on his cheek. His chest, trapped beneath her, felt like it was on fire–his heart pounding so hard <b>he </b><b>could </b>barely breathe.


    Totally normal, he told himself. It was just the adrenaline, nothing more.


    But as he looked up, he caught his own reflection in Aria’s eyes<b>, </b>and the rush only intensified.


    His fingers curled, trying to suppress the strange thudding in his chest, and he swallowed hard. Her hand was still mped over his pulse.


    Chapter <b>193 </b>


    He gasped <b>for </b>air, feeling that dizzy, breathless pressure as her grip loosened.


    Aria seemed <b>to </b>notice, let go, and rolled off<b>, </b>sprawling beside him on the mat.


    <b>She </by there for a moment, catching her breath. “It’s been ages since I’ve had a fight like that. Thanks, Owen.”


    She’d wanted this for years. Now, finally, she felt satisfied.


    Owen hadn’t held back, either–her arms ached, especially the left, where she’d felt a sharp pain mid–fight and snapped <b>it </b>back into ce.


    Aria peeled off her gloves, tossed them to the floor, and sat up. “You okay, Owen?”


    He grunted and pulled himself upright. “Ms. Saxon, you’re incredible. I can’t beat you.”


    She was fast, every move ruthless–if she’d had a weapon<b>, </b>he wouldn’t havested a minute.


    They changed back into their clothes and walked out together, leaving behind a silent crowd <i>of </i>staff still gaping in awe.


    Owen drove them back. Neither spoke–afortable silence.


    They each returned to their own apartments and, without a word, made for the shower.


    Aria rubbed ointment on her sore spots, massaging carefully, then slipped on <b>a </b>robe and grabbed two jars of medicine before heading out.