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“I won’t, and you can’t make me,” Jinx pointed out, which was technically correct

“Yes, I can!” Ivanov shouted, shoving Jinx hard

I kneas co before Jinx had even made a first One immutable rule of the universe was that you never, ever shoved Jinx unless you wanted to get punched very hard Considering the possible repercussions for hitting someone like Ivanov, it was clear preventative measures had to be taken

Camilla and Sarah both screamed Understandably so, the punch was a real doozy Had it been almost anyone else, they would have been knocked out cold I, however, seemed to have developed a resistance to punishment, so I was just knocked down

“Shit, Cooper, I’m sorry man, I— ”

“Just go,” I said, wiping the blood from my mouth

“Thanks,” he said before taking off, understanding as well as I did what I had done for him

“Shit,” Ivanov said in amazement as I rose back to my feet like a boxer

“What’s going on here?” I inquired

By way of reply, Ivanov put the envelope in my hand before I was really able to stop him

“I’ you, hotshot,” Ivanov smirked

“For what?”

“Ten es for slander and loss of wages”

“We only told the truth,” I said, quickly losing rip on civility

“That’s for the courts to decide”

It was easy to close the gap, standing so close that Ivanov had to take a step back, no doubt re what I had done to hisI pushed into his space, ready to face him down