The Prison-Made Queen novel Chapter 452

"You should be more worried about yourself," Payton warned.

Abel fell silent. That was the last straw. Having been despised by both of them, he finally got serious. He shifted his stance, channeling the intensity he usually reserved for Black.

This time, his movements were much faster. He threw a straight punch directly at Leilani’s face.

Leilani quickly tilted her head to evade, simultaneously driving her knee toward his abdomen. Abel reacted instantly, retreating rapidly, but Leilani’s fingertips still grazed his ribs. He hissed in pain.

"Ouch! Dr. Sloan, that was brutal!"

Leilani pulled back and looked at Payton. "How was that?"

Payton’s lips curved slightly. "Passable. Barely."

He paused before adding, "But in a real dangerous situation, the enemy won't hold back like Abel did."

Abel rubbed his ribs, muttering under his breath, "I didn't hold back this time... Dr. Sloan just improved too fast."

Payton ignored him and continued guiding Leilani on the finer details of her form.

...

One hour later.

Abel collapsed onto the grass, gasping for air. "I can't... I really can't do this anymore, Dr. Sloan. If we keep fighting, I'm going to die out here!"

He rubbed the bruises Leilani had inflicted, wincing. As he massaged his sore spots, he couldn't help but marvel, "Dr. Sloan, you're a terrifyingly fast learner!"

...

That evening, in the kitchen.

Abel was chopping vegetables while rubbing his aching arm. He couldn't resist asking, "Dr. Sloan, do you have any idea what Payton used to do?"

Leilani dropped the greens into the pot, her tone calm. "You've been with Payton for so long, and you don't know?"

Abel shook his head. "Payton never talks about himself."

He leaned in slightly. "Actually, most of my skills were learned from him. But Payton is naturally quiet. He only talks more when he's training me. As for his backstory, I only know bits and pieces."

"But," Abel added, "Payton’s attitude toward you is unusual. I've been with him for years, and I've never seen him this patient with anyone else."