"I'm ready whenever you are."
Aiden locked eyes with Ben Jameson, fully prepared to fight him right there in the middle of The Sapphire Club.
Ben smiled out of the corner of his mouth. "Good. Let's find out if you really are Samuel Gibson's son."
Ben got up from the private booth. They both raised their fists and began to circle each other.
"Take it easy, you two," Cyrus said, stepping between them. "This is a nightclub, not a fight club. There's a sparring ring downstairs in the basement. Let's settle this properly." He gestured for them to follow.
"After you," Ben growled, with a politeness that was entirely mocking.
Aiden exhaled slowly and clenched his jaw. I'm gonna make Ben Jameson regret challenging me to a fight. Or else I'll die trying.
The basement beneath the Sapphire Club was configured like a makeshift boxing ring, weapons of all kinds mounted along the walls. A single bare lightbulb hung from a pull-string over the center of the arena, swaying faintly and casting the space in hard, shifting shadows.
Ben shrugged off his coat, rolled up his sleeves, and unbuttoned the top button of his shirt. "You know, Aiden — so far, I've never lost a fight."
Aiden scoffed. "Well, then this should be a nice change of pace for you."
Ben smirked and turned to Cyrus. "Want to place a bet before we get this show on the road? I'll give you great odds if you take the kid."
Cyrus crossed his arms. "My money's on The Tiger."
Ben chuckled. "Don't worry. I'll bail you out when you're bankrupt."
Ben leaped over the ropes and paced the ring beneath the lone lightbulb, poised and patient. He was larger and taller than Aiden — tough square jaw, imposing shoulders, the kind of build that came from decades of knowing how to use it. Aiden ducked under the ropes and squared up across from him.
"Best of luck, Aiden." Ben chuckled.
Aiden sneered. "Thanks. But I don't need luck."
Without wasting another second, Ben charged. Aiden ducked smoothly out of the way, the punch grazing the air beside his ear. Ben followed immediately with a roundhouse kick — Aiden bent backward, watching the perfectly polished patent-leather shoe sweep past his jaw by inches.
"Huh. Impressive." Ben wiped sweat from his brow. "You know how to stay light on your feet. But do you know how to throw a punch?" He tapped his jaw with one finger. "C'mon. Hit me right here."
Aiden hesitated. Is he really giving me a free shot?
He went in for it — but before he could connect, Ben snatched his arm and countered hard with his free hand. The blow caught Aiden clean and sent him staggering. He shook his head, vision swimming. Welp. Should've seen that coming.
Ben laughed. "Rule number one. Never trust your opponent."
Ben charged again — but this time Aiden was ready. He slipped sideways and drove a punch into Ben's lower back. Ben growled through his teeth and straightened, turning back with a grudging grin. "Good. You already know rule number two. Always stay one step ahead."
The fight settled into a rhythm: Ben pressing forward, Aiden moving, probing, letting the older man burn through his energy. Aiden could read the fatigue creeping into Ben's shoulders, the slight lag between intention and action.
That's it. Wear yourself out, old man. Then I go in for the kill.
Ben threw a rapid series of punches, but Aiden sidestepped each one effortlessly, making it look almost easy. Ben's breathing grew heavier. Seizing the moment, Aiden launched a hard punch straight at Ben's jaw. There was a crack of bone on bone. Ben clutched his face, groaning.
"You little piece of shit. I'm gonna get you for that."
Aiden could see Ben's composure cracking. He's off his game now.
With a roar, Ben dove forward and tried to wrestle Aiden to the ground. Aiden dropped low and swept his leg out in a wide arc, catching Ben's feet and sending him crashing down with a heavy thud. Aiden was on him in an instant — foot on Ben's back, fist raised.
"Give up, Ben! I've got you pinned. It's over!"
But Ben didn't tap. He twisted sharply, rolling free and catching Aiden with a solid kick to the shin. Aiden buckled, and Ben drove three quick punches into him before Aiden managed to seize one of his fists mid-swing. With his free hand, Aiden landed a punch square in the center of Ben's face that snapped his head back.
Ben stumbled. Aiden saw his opening.
"This ends now."
He drove forward, wrapped both arms around Ben's waist, and took him down in one clean move. Ben hit the floor hard, flat on his back, and this time he wasn't getting up. He lay there, chest heaving, frustration carved into his face — but underneath it, unmistakably, a flicker of pride.
"Give up. It's over."
Ben held Aiden's gaze for a long moment. "You really are the Tiger, aren't you." It wasn't a question. He tapped out.
Aiden helped him to his feet as Cyrus cheered from the sidelines. Ben pressed the back of his hand to his nose and looked at the blood, then wiped it away.
"Where in hell did you learn to fight like that, kid?"
Aiden's childhood came flooding back — his father's voice in the dark, the orphanage yard, the fights he hadn't chosen but had learned to finish.
"Before my father died… he taught me what he knew." A faint smile crossed Aiden's face. "And then, when I went to the orphanage, I had to learn how to fight. I had to learn… to survive."
Cyrus nodded slowly. "He is The Tiger, no doubt about it. He's got the fight in his blood. He was practically trained from birth to lead the Tiger Group."
Ben cracked his jaw back into place with a wince. "I have to say — I'm impressed. You're way tougher than you look. I owe you an apology. Whatever I can do to help, I will." Then something occurred to him. "Does Maximilian know yet that you're back?"
"No," Aiden said firmly. "He's out of town. Until he returns, don't tell anyone I've come back. In the meantime, we start building a plan to restore the Tiger Group to what it should be. And from now on, you take your orders from me — not Maximilian."
"Understood, boss." Ben clapped a hand on Aiden's shoulder. "Now, come on, Tiger — let's go have a drink to celebrate."
Aiden's phone rang in his pocket. He pulled it out.
"Hello?"
"Aiden, it's Ava."
"Ava? What is it? I'm a little busy at the moment."
"You think you're busy? Listen — we have a big problem here."
Aiden scowled. "What do you mean?"
"My parents found out about you and our engagement. They want to meet you right now. Come back to the house, ASAP."
"What? Now?"
"Yes! Now!" Without another word, Ava hung up.
"What's wrong? Who was that?" Ben asked.
Aiden sighed. "I'm sorry, Ben. I don't think I can join you for a drink. It's a long story, but I have to go meet my new in-laws. My fiancée insists."
Cyrus raised his eyebrows. "Since when did you get engaged?"
"I'll have to explain that some other time."
Aiden turned to leave, but Cyrus caught his arm. "One more thing. Tomorrow, after you're done with your in-laws, come by my office. I have a new job for you. I heard you lost your old one."
Aiden's jaw dropped. "How did you know?"
"We have eyes everywhere in The Tiger Group." Cyrus winked, pressing his business card into Aiden's hand. Shaw Industries. "Meet me there tomorrow."
He snapped his fingers, and the bartender appeared as if from nowhere, carrying the unopened bottle of private reserve champagne.
"Take this as a gift for your in-laws. It might help to win them over. Good luck."
Aiden smiled. "Cyrus — thank you. For everything."
Cyrus shook his head. "No, Aiden. Thank you. You've restored my hope in The Tiger Group." He paused, and something warm and certain moved behind his eyes. "The Tiger… has returned."
About an hour later, Aiden's cab pulled up to the Stone Family mansion. He paid the driver, stepped out onto the pavement, and stood for a moment looking at the front door. He clutched the cold champagne bottle tightly against his side.
I never thought I'd be meeting Ava's parents like this. What if they don't like me?
His head was still spinning from everything that had happened. But beneath the noise, something quieter stirred. Despite the chaos, despite the circumstances that made no sense, the idea of marrying Ava — of having a real family again — made him feel something he hadn't felt in a long time.
I promised Ava I would do whatever it takes to make it up to her. Maybe I can start by making a good impression on her parents.
He walked to the front door and pressed the bell. Its chime rang somewhere deep inside the house.
If they don't like me, Ava might lose her inheritance, her reputation… and I'll lose my chance to have a family. I have to make this work.