Chapter 23: New Protagonist: Jin Ashera
Vincent was stunned. He had just come out for a romantic date and sat in a taxi for the first time in years, and he actually encountered a protagonist? What were the chances of that?
"Maybe it’s because my luck value has increased," Vincent thought while his face became a mask of composure.
"It’s not my fault beauty—there was a cat at the turn, and the car in front braked suddenly," the driver said with a shrug, smiling at Helena while ignoring Vincent completely.
What Jin said was indeed true. This was how things worked with protagonists—wherever they went, trouble would follow.
Vincent finally realized why this guy was acting so casual and arrogant. People would usually be able to tell at a glance that he was not someone they could afford to provoke, but a protagonist? Wasn’t he, the villain, a perfect target for a protagonist?
As Jin started driving again, Vincent noticed the subtle glances in the rearview mirror—quick looks that lingered just a fraction too long on Helena. His jaw tightened almost imperceptibly.
A few blocks later, Jin hit a small pothole, causing Helena to bounce slightly in her seat. "Sorry about that," Jin said, but his eyes were fixed on the mirror again, watching how Helena’s dress shifted with the movement.
Vincent’s hands slowly clenched into fists on his lap.
Then came the sudden swerve to avoid a pedestrian who genuinely appeared from behind a parked truck without warning, followed by an abrupt stop when a delivery van ran a red light and nearly T-boned them. A construction worker’s dropped toolbox spilled into their lane moments later, forcing another sharp turn. Each genuine incident sent Helena sliding closer to Vincent, and each time, Jin’s eyes found the rearview mirror, taking advantage of circumstances that seemed to align perfectly for his perverted glances.
"Is everything alright?" Helena asked, her voice carrying a note of concern as she steadied herself against Vincent’s arm. She was beginning to notice the pattern—the way the driver’s gaze kept finding her in the reflection.
Vincent felt his muscles coil with barely suppressed tension. His breathing became deliberately controlled, the kind of measured calm that preceded violence. If it were an ordinary guy, Vincent would have already dragged him from the driver’s seat and ended his pathetic existence.
But Vincent wasn’t stupid—he knew if he directly took action now, it would surely backfire on him. Instead, he made a calculated decision.