An Imminent Clash

?!

The sudden reversal before them had completely caught the young woman and her two companions off guard.

The expressions on their faces froze instantly. They had gone from hunters in control of the situation to prey trapped in a predicament, their eyes filled with shock and disbelief.

They had never expected this seemingly lone stalker not only to remain calm, but to bring companions and execute a precise "counter-encirclement."

In the instant they froze, Mike leaped down from the low wall like a cheetah. His movements were fluid and swift, and before the two "armed civilians" could react, he was already upon them.

A sharp hand strike landed precisely on one man's gun hand. With a cry of pain, the pistol fell from his grasp and was smoothly caught by Mike.

At the same time, Mike's other hand gripped the man's shoulder, while his knee cleverly struck the small of his back, instantly robbing him of balance and any ability to resist.

Maggie's actions on the other side were even simpler and more efficient.

She did not even make any large movements. Like a phantom, she slipped close to the other gunman. He only felt his wrist go numb before his sidearm changed hands, its cold muzzle pressed against his own ribs.

The entire process took place in the blink of an eye. The two armed men had been completely disarmed and stood frozen in place, not daring to move rashly.

Taking advantage of the opening, Leon slowly approached the young woman whose expression kept changing.

He raised both hands in a gesture of harmlessness, his gaze calm as he spoke in the gentlest tone he could manage:

"Relax. We mean you no harm. If we frightened you, I apologize."

He paused, observing her reaction before getting straight to