Chapter 5 - The Impact
Julian opened his mouth to deliver a smug, dismissive remark to diffuse the tension, but the words never had the chance to form.
Elena did not raise her voice. She did not issue a warning. In one lightning-fast, explosive sequence of martial precision, she pivoted on her right foot, rotated her hips, and launched her left leg upward in a stunning high kick delivered with terrifying speed and absolute power. The solid heel of her dress shoe connected squarely with the right side of Julian’s jaw with a sickening, heavy impact that echoed off the high vaulted ceilings.
The sheer kinetic force of the strike snapped Julian's head back violently, shattering two of his teeth and sending his gold tuxedo jacket twisting through the air. He was knocked completely off his feet, his body crashing backward onto the polished marble floor in a brutal, ungraceful heap. His crystal glass shattered against the stone, splashing red wine across his tailored trousers. A collective, horrified gasp tore through the crowd of elite onlookers; several women covered their eyes while senior board members stumbled backward in absolute, paralyzed disbelief.
