Holden's reply was immediate. "No. What's going on? Are you okay?"

After replying to Ariana's message, Holden threw on his coat and rushed out to go to Ariana's place.

As Ariana typed a response, the doorknob rattled violently, followed by a booming knock.

Fear tightened its grip on Ariana. She frantically messaged Holden for help. "Someone's at the door, trying to break in!"

Meanwhile, a commotion erupted from the balcony. Rushing over, Ariana's blood ran cold at the sight-a masked redhead, clad in black, scaling her balcony with something in his hand.

"Who's there?" Ariana asked instinctively.

In response, the man flipped her off, hurling vulgar insults at her, before throwing the object in his hand against the window.

It was red paint.

The window suddenly became splattered with red, resembling blood, instantly transforming the scene into a terrifying spectacle.

The person outside the door kept knocking. It seemed he was trying to pick the lock in vain. Frustration mounting, the intruder unleashed a series of brutal kicks, shaking the entire house.

Ariana fought to stay composed.

Observing the man on the balcony inches away from breaking into the room, she swiftly called the police. Armed with a sturdy stick, Ariana concealed herself in a blind corner beside the balcony, waiting anxiously. When the intruder finally kicked open the balcony window, Ariana seized the opportunity and struck him on the head.

With the darkness as her ally, Ariana rained down a flurry of strikes.

The man winced in pain, yelling at his unseen accomplice, "Stop kicking the damn door! Get in through the window!"

Wrinkling her brow in contemplation, Ariana knew handling two grown men simultaneously would pose a challenge. Decisively, she resolved to incapacitate the man before her first.

She hit the red-haired man in rapid succession, each hit carrying the weight of her determination.

The red-haired man ducked desperately in order to dodge her attacks while covering his head with his hands. Sensing an opportunity, he seized Ariana's hair, causing her to hiss in pain, momentarily halting her assault. With a swift turn, he poised to deliver a retaliatory kick to Ariana.

Ariana's agility was on full display as she deftly sidestepped, but despite her nimbleness, the man's kick found its mark on her calf.

"You bitch! How dare you steal my idol's man!" The man's voice reverberated with accusation and contempt.

As curses dripped venom from his lips, he lunged toward Ariana, his fingers clawing in an attempt to grasp her.