Nick and Leo did not dare call Noah's bluff. From the cold, deadly resolution etched on Noah's face, they could tell he was prepared to risk everything.
But Nick was desperate. If he couldn't produce Noah, Boss Ryan would harm him, and the threat of a broken leg and a damaged 'third leg' was terrifyingly real. He tried to appeal to Noah's well-known kindness one last time.
"Noah, drop the bottle now, are you crazy? It's just three people sleeping with you, one time! Boss Ryan even told me he could provide for you forever! You won't even have to work so hard anymore in the future. So drop the damn bottle and let's go to Boss Ryan. If I can't produce you, Boss Ryan is really going to hurt me! Can you bear to let me be harmed? You're supposed to be so kind-hearted."
Noah snickered, a harsh, dismissive sound. "If you genuinely think it's such a fantastic opportunity to sleep with Boss Ryan and those other two men, then go do it yourself. Why should I be the one doing it for you? And besides, I am perfectly contented with having to work hard; that has nothing to do with you. And I already told you I don't care if you are harmed by Boss Ryan—it's none of my business. So, can you please stop bringing that up in a ridiculous attempt to convince me? You're just irritating me. I have zero pity left for you."
Just as Noah finished, Naya appeared, having packed a small bag containing Noah's essential clothes and vital documents.
Seeing Naya, Nick's eyes widened as a new, wicked idea surfaced. Since he couldn't get close to Noah, who held the twin glass weapons, he could capture Naya and use her to threaten Noah into submission. Nick wasted no time. He moved toward Naya with the clear intent to seize her.
Noah saw the move and panicked instantly. "Naya, run quickly! Get behind me!"
Naya looked at Noah, who was holding two deadly broken bottles, and immediately grasped the situation. She also understood Nick's fundamental mistake. She couldn't help but snicker, wondering how Nick could possibly think she was a weak Omega he could easily subdue. Naya didn't need Noah's warning to move. She simply stood her ground, waiting.
The moment Nick was within striking distance, Naya acted with terrifying speed. She drove her heel directly into Nick's groin, striking his testicles. As Nick groaned, doubling over in agonizing pain and completely dropping his guard, Naya grabbed his head and slammed it against the wall.
The groaning ceased, and Nick slid down, unconscious, onto the floor. Naya executed this entire sequence of actions in less than fifty seconds.
Noah, who had been frantic with worry for his friend, blinked in stunned surprise. He couldn't help but think Naya was truly formidable; she was definitely not the kind of person who would stand by and let anyone bully her.
Celine, witnessing her dear son collapse, completely lost control. She shrieked, rushing toward the unconscious Nick. "Nick! Nick! Oh my God, oh my God!" She pulled his head onto her chest, tears streaming down her face, and then pointed a trembling finger at Noah.
"What kind of sin have I committed to give birth to such a misfortunate son like you?" she wailed. "I should have just killed you in your cradle! Why did I bother to raise you up, only for you to turn around and harm your own family?"
Leo, Noah's father, stood frozen in shock. He had seen Nick move toward Naya and knew his son's intent, watching because he thought the girl was just a weak Omega who would be easily captured.
He had expected to use her capture to force Noah to drop the dangerous bottles. He was stunned that the 'weak Omega' had just cold-cocked his son. He wondered, in a daze, when Omegas had suddenly become capable of such strength.
It was only when his wife started screaming insults at Noah that he snapped back to reality. He rushed to Nick, checking his breathing. He sighed in immense relief when he confirmed Nick was only unconscious.
He raised his head to look at Noah and Naya, who had walked calmly to Noah's side while the parents panicked over Nick. Leo's face was filled with cold anger.
"I truly didn't expect you to be this wicked," Leo said to Noah. "Your brother is already in this condition, and you show him no pity. Look at your mother, crying her eyes out. You single-handedly put your own family into turmoil. Leave if you want to leave! I also don't want to see you! Just go! And let me tell you this: once you leave this family, there is no path for you to ever return here. Once you walk out, we will never acknowledge you as part of this family again!"
Leo didn't mean a single word he was saying. He was using this final threat, hoping that Noah, despite everything, still held some attachment to the idea of family, hoping he would pity his brother and his crying mother, stay, and finally obey them.
But Leo was doomed to disappointment. Noah's heart, hardened and killed by their profound heartlessness, simply shrugged.
"Don't worry, I won't come back," Noah replied honestly. "I have only ever known suffering in this house anyway, so why would I ever return to a family that only wants me to suffer? I truly, truly won't ever come back here. Don't worry."
Leo could only stare at his son, speechless.
Noah was utterly exhausted by the traumatic events and the exhausting arguments. His already weakened legs were trembling violently; it took every ounce of his willpower to keep them from buckling beneath him.
"Please, let's get out of here," Noah said to Naya.
Naya nodded, hoisting the bag onto her shoulder. They walked out of the Walker family house and toward the car.
Noah had just reached the passenger door when Leo burst out of the house, running after them.
"You can't leave! You really can't leave! You have to be responsible for your brother!"
Noah did not have the energy for another argument. He simply opened the car door, climbed in, fastened his seatbelt, and looked at Naya. "Please drive."
Naya nodded and started the engine. Leo, blocking the path, believed that if he stood there and refused to move, Naya would never dare to drive away, and they could still get what they wanted.
But he quickly saw the unwavering determination in both of their faces. Naya accelerated, driving the car directly toward him, as if hitting him wouldn't matter. Leo, fearing death, dared not block the car any longer. He scrambled out of the way, letting the sports car speed off.
Noah, whose nerves had been stretched taut by the confrontation, finally began to relax, now safe and moving away. As Naya drove, Noah immediately fell asleep again.
Naya glanced at him, her heart heavy with pity. She eased the car into a slow, smooth drive, wanting him to have the best sleep possible. She vowed silently that from this day forward, she would protect her friend better than anyone ever had.