Thug Leader: Out of the way, old man! Hand over the boy!
Arthur: You are trespassing on my private estate.
Thomas: Sir... you're standing! You're actually standing!
Arthur: I feel stronger than I did twenty years ago, Thomas.
Leo: Please don't let them take me back to the facility!
Arthur: Nobody is taking you anywhere, child. Stay behind me.
Arthur took a solid step forward, his polished shoes striking the marble floor with incredible force.
Thug Leader: I don't care if you just got a miracle, old man. That kid belongs to us!
Thug 2: Grab him! We have a million-dollar contract on his head!
Arthur: You think my estate lacks security?
Arthur snapped his fingers once, a sharp sound echoing across the open courtyard.
From the shadow of the white arches, two massive bodyguards in dark suits stepped into the sunlight.
Bodyguard 1: On your command, Lord Arthur.
Thug Leader: Attack them!
The thugs charged forward, swinging their iron pipes with wild, brutal strikes.
The bodyguards moved like trained war machines, catching the swinging pipes mid-air with lightning speed.
A heavy punch struck the lead thug squarely in the jaw, sending him flying backward onto the hard tiles.
The second bodyguard grabbed the other thug by his shoulder, twisting his arm back with a sharp crack before slamming him onto the marble floor.
Thug 2: AHH! My arm! My arm is broken!
Bodyguard 2: Stay down if you want to keep breathing.
The remaining thugs backed away in horror, dropping their weapons onto the ground.
Arthur stepped toward the beaten men, looking down at them with cold, commanding authority.
Arthur: DON'T YOU EVER TOUCH THIS BOY AGAIN! TAKE THEM AWAY!
Thomas: The local authorities have already been alerted, sir. Patrol cars are at the front gate.
Leo: Thank you... thank you so much...
Leo hugged Arthur's waist tightly, tears streaming down his young cheeks.
Arthur looked down at the boy, placing a gentle, protective hand on his soft hair.
Arthur: You saved my life, young man. Now it's my turn to protect yours.