Chapter 5: Trouble at the Bookstore

The next morning passed peacefully.

Serenity arrived at the bookstore shortly after eight.

She unlocked the glass door and switched on the lights.

"Morning, Jasmine," she greeted.

"Morning, Mrs. York," Jasmine teased.

Serenity rolled her eyes.

"Stop calling me that."

"Never," Jasmine laughed.

"It's too much fun."

The two friends spent the morning arranging new books and helping students prepare for their upcoming exams.

Business was steady.

Around noon, however, the peaceful atmosphere changed.

Three young men walked into the bookstore.

Their expensive clothes and arrogant expressions immediately caught Jasmine's attention.

"Can I help you?" Serenity asked politely.

The tallest man picked up a novel from the shelf.

"How much?"

"Twenty-eight dollars," Serenity answered.

"Twenty-eight?"

He laughed loudly before tossing the book onto the floor.

"This junk isn't even worth five."

His friends burst into laughter.

"Sir," Serenity said calmly,

"If you don't wish to buy it, that's perfectly fine.

But please don't damage the merchandise."

"Or what?"

The man stepped closer.

"You'll call the police?"

"If necessary."

"You're brave."

Without warning, he swept an entire shelf with his arm.

Books crashed onto the floor.

Students inside the shop gasped.

"Hey!" Jasmine shouted.

"What's wrong with you?"

"Mind your own business."

The second man kicked another pile of books across the room.

"We've heard this bookstore refuses to pay protection fees."

"Maybe it needs a little lesson."

Serenity's expression turned serious.

"Who sent you?"

"Does it matter?"

"Either pay up every month..."

"Or this place won't stay open for long."

Jasmine quietly reached for her phone.

Before she could dial the police...

The bookstore door opened again.

Four men in black suits walked inside.

They weren't wearing uniforms.

Yet their calm expressions and disciplined movements instantly changed the atmosphere.

"Is there a problem here?"

The leader asked politely.

"Who are you?" the troublemaker demanded.

"Customers," the man replied.

"And we don't appreciate watching people destroy a bookstore."

The tallest thug sneered.

"Mind your own business."

"Gladly."

"After you apologize."

"Or what?"

The man smiled faintly.

"You'll find out."

The next few seconds happened so quickly that Serenity barely understood what she had seen.

The troublemakers were disarmed, restrained, and escorted outside without a single punch being thrown.

Everything was done with professional precision.

One of the black-suited men turned toward Serenity.

"Miss Hunt, are you alright?"

"Yes... thank you," she replied in surprise.

"Who sent you?"

The man smiled politely.

"Let's just say someone wanted to make sure good people stayed safe."

Before Serenity could ask another question, the men left.

Jasmine stared through the window.

"Who were they?"

"I have no idea," Serenity admitted.

"Maybe security officers from the shopping district?"

"Security officers don't wear custom-made suits," Jasmine muttered.

Across the city...

Inside York Corporation.

Ben stood in Zachary's office.

"The situation at Mrs. York's bookstore has been handled."

"Any injuries?" Zachary asked without looking up from his documents.

"None."

"The men were hired by a local businessman who has been demanding protection money from small businesses."

"He won't bother her again."

"Good."

"Sir... Mrs. York asked who sent the men."

"What did they say?"

"Exactly as instructed."

"'Someone wanted to make sure good people stayed safe.'"

Zachary gave a slight nod.

"Excellent."

"Keep my name out of it."

"Yes, Mr. York."

That evening...

Serenity returned home carrying fresh groceries.

She found Zachary sitting quietly in the living room, reading reports on his tablet.

"You're home," she said.

"How was work?"

"Busy," he answered.

"And yours?"

She sighed softly.

"A strange day."

"Someone tried causing trouble at the bookstore."

Zachary looked up immediately.

"Were you hurt?"

"No."

"Luckily, some kind strangers showed up and helped us."

"Really?"

"Yes."

"I don't even know who they were."

"Maybe you were just lucky," Zachary said calmly.

Serenity smiled.

"Maybe I was."

She walked into the kitchen to prepare dinner.

Watching her disappear down the hallway, Zachary quietly relaxed.

For the first time in years...

Protecting someone felt more important than closing billion-dollar business deals.

And although Serenity believed luck had saved her bookstore...

She had no idea...

Her mysterious husband had been watching over her all along.