Sophie immediately tensed up, intimidated by the gym's apex predator. Claire stood up calmly.
"She’s learning the sequence," Claire explained, her voice steady.
"She won’t learn if you let her win," Derek sneered. He stepped onto the mat, puffing out his
chest. "Come on. Thirty seconds. I’ll show her how it’s done. Move around with me."
"No thanks," Claire said simply.
The refusal stung Derek more than an insult would have. It was too easy, too dismissive. "I’ll go
light," he insisted, glancing at Brandon’s phone camera, which was now pointed in their direction.
"No," Claire repeated, without a hint of fear.
Derek laughed mockingly. "You said you used to train. So move around."
Claire smiled slightly. "I already am."
The gentle laughter from nearby students made Derek’s cheeks burn red. Across the room, Mike
barked, "Derek. Leave her alone." That should have been the end of it. But Derek’s bruised ego
pushed him over the edge. "What, she’s fragile?" Derek taunted loudly.