The Robber brandished a pistol and rushed straight to the checkout counter, his muzzle aimed fiercely at the pale young Store Clerk.
"Money! Take out all the money! Fast!"
The young Store Clerk trembled all over, frantically opening the cash register and grabbing the bills inside, stuffing them all at once into the canvas bag the Robber had thrown over.
Tracy's heart almost stopped. She froze on the spot, her wallet and coffee nearly slipping from her hands.
She forced herself to stay calm, quietly backing toward the shelves, trying to avoid the man's line of sight.
However, just as the Robber finished looting the counter and prepared to turn and flee, out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of Tracy shrinking into the shadows.
Tracy was wearing a well-fitted professional suit today that outlined her graceful figure. Her face, pale from shock, looked even more pitiable under her exquisite makeup.
A malicious glint immediately flashed in the Robber's eyes.
"You! Come here!" He suddenly turned his gun toward Tracy, his voice trembling with excitement. "Quick! Come to the back with me!"
All color instantly drained from Tracy's face as fear washed over her like ice water. She instinctively backed away, her spine hitting the cold shelf with nowhere left to retreat.
"No... please..."
Her voice shook, her heart filled with regret over her decision to come downstairs for coffee today.
"Fuck! Get over here!"
Flying into a rage, the Robber strode forward, reaching out to grab her.
Clang!
At that very moment, the sound of metal striking flesh and the Robber's scream rang out simultaneously!
His gun-wielding wrist was struck hard by a fast-flying can of Spam!
The Robber cried out in pain, his fingers loosening as the pistol hit the floor with a thud.
Bang!
The sound of a misfire immediately followed.
The bullet flew harmlessly upward, hitting no one.
The clerk and Tracy both crouched down, clutching their heads and screaming in terror.
Almost at the same time, a figure rapidly approached the Robber.
The man tried to struggle, but his hands were already firmly pinned and then twisted behind his back with great force—
"Agh—!"
An even more shrill scream rang out as the Robber felt his wrist was about to break.
The newcomer used his left foot to kick the pistol across the floor, sending it sliding into a far corner.
Immediately after, he raised his right knee and slammed it into the Robber's side like a sledgehammer!
"Ugh!"
The Robber groaned, the intense pain making him go limp instantly.
Then, using the momentum, the man turned and executed a clean takedown, pinning the Robber face-down on the floor.
His knee pressed firmly against the man's lower back, making him unable to move.
"Don't move! The police will be here soon."
A low, cold voice sounded in the Robber's ear, leaving no room for argument.
Hearing that familiar voice, Tracy finally dared to look up.
It was indeed him.
The man who made her heart flutter.
Leon.
"Leon!"
She could no longer suppress the fear and grievance in her heart as tears burst from her eyes.
She stumbled forward and hugged Leon's broad back tightly from behind, as if trying to confirm that he was really there.
Her body trembled uncontrollably from excitement and lingering fear.
"Waa... you scared me to death... Leon..."
She could clearly feel the firmness and warmth of his back and smell the reassuring scent on him.
Her identity as an agent, her usual restraint—everything collapsed in this moment.
She only wanted to hold onto the man who had appeared when she needed him most.
As it turned out, Leon had been watching the convenience store's entrance when he noticed the Robber the moment he burst inside.
Leon had quietly gotten out of the car, followed him into the store, and witnessed the moment the Robber turned his attention toward Tracy.
Fury ignited within him.
Leon's gaze swept across the shelves, and he quickly grabbed the hardest can of Spam he could find.
Then he threw it with all his strength.
A direct hit!
Knocking the gun away was only the beginning.
In the brief moment while the Robber was still wailing and clutching his injured wrist, Leon had already lunged forward like a cheetah.
He crossed several meters in only a few steps and instantly closed the distance.
Leon could feel Tracy's arms wrapped around him, while her hot tears slowly soaked into the fabric of his suit.
His heart softened.
However, he still kept the Robber firmly restrained beneath him.
"It's okay, Tracy," he said in a low voice. "It's over. Don't be afraid. I'm here."
Leon's voice was steady and reassuring, acting like a barrier between Tracy and the fear she had experienced moments ago.
Her breathing gradually calmed.
However, the arms wrapped around Leon still didn't loosen.
The young Store Clerk finally came to his senses and tremblingly called the police.
A few minutes later, the piercing sound of sirens approached from afar.
Two police cars soon stopped in front of the convenience store.
The officers quickly secured the scene, handcuffed the Robber, and took him into the police car.
Leon finally released his hold and stood up.
He then gently supported Tracy, who still seemed unable to stand properly after everything that had happened.
Leon, Tracy, and the shaken Store Clerk were later asked to go to the police station to cooperate with the investigation and provide detailed statements.
The surveillance footage had recorded the entire incident.
After reviewing the evidence and speaking with the witnesses, the police confirmed that Leon had intervened to protect the people inside the store.
By the time everything had been processed and they finally walked out of the station, they had already missed their scheduled audition.
Tracy's emotions had calmed down considerably, although her face was still slightly pale.
Sitting in the passenger seat, her gaze frequently drifted toward Leon as he drove.
Her eyes now held a newfound sense of dependence.
"I'm sorry," she said softly. "It's all because of me that you missed the audition."
"Don't say that."
Leon interrupted her gently.
"Your safety is more important than anything. How could an audition be more important than you?"
His words warmed Tracy's heart.
She involuntarily reached out and gently covered his hand resting on the steering wheel.
Leon paused slightly.
Then he turned his hand over, clasped her cold fingers, and gave them a gentle squeeze.
Just as they thought this eventful day was finally coming to an end and planned to contact the production crew to see whether the audition could be rescheduled, Tracy's phone suddenly rang—
The caller ID was clearly visible on the screen.
Casting Director's Assistant.
Tracy took a deep breath, adjusted her emotions, and answered the call.
"Hello, this is Tracy Miller. I am so sorry, we encountered some unexpected circumstances this morning..."
She was preparing to explain and apologize when an excited voice came from the other end.
"Ms. Miller! No need to apologize! We saw it! We all saw it!"
Tracy and Leon glanced at each other, both confused.
"Saw what?"
"The news! A local news report! The report about Mr. Leon Williams stopping an armed robbery at a convenience store! My god! That move where he threw the can was incredible! It looked just like something out of an action movie!"
The assistant's voice was filled with excitement.
"Director Hawkins happened to see the report, and he's very interested!"
"He specifically asked me to contact you and ask whether it would be convenient for Mr. Leon to come in again tomorrow."
"He feels that Mr. Leon's skills and on-the-spot reactions perfectly match what he's looking for in one of the characters in our show!"
"It might even be more than just the original minor role!"
What an unexpected turn of events!
Tracy covered the mouthpiece and excitedly relayed the news to Leon.
Leon was also surprised.
This truly was a case of finding an unexpected opportunity after a difficult situation.
As it turned out, the convenience store's surveillance footage had captured the entire incident.
After the police arrived and secured the scene, the incident quickly attracted attention from a local news outlet.
The footage clearly showed how Leon had accurately thrown the can, knocked the weapon away, and quickly subdued the Robber before anyone else could be harmed.
Once the report was broadcast, it immediately attracted considerable attention.
In the footage, Leon's calm and decisive expression, his quick movements, and the confidence he displayed while protecting the people inside the store created a striking contrast with his extraordinary appearance.
It was the kind of scene that was difficult to ignore.
And apparently, Director Hawkins hadn't ignored it either.