Black Belt Called MMA Champion A Fake In Front Of 200 People — 2s Later, Everyone Regretted It
Chapter 18
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A few people chuckled softly, assuming Frank was just being his usual cautious self."It's a demonstration, not a competition," Derek said smoothly, waving the question away with an easy laugh. "I've done this a hundred times. Perfectly safe as long as everyone trusts the process."Frank didn't laugh along. He sat back slowly, unconvinced, but unwilling to make more of a fuss than he already had."I need a volunteer," Derek said, scanning the crowd. "Someone who's already had a taste of what real training looks like." His eyes landed on Walt Higgins, still seated near the front. "How about you again, sir? Round two."A ripple of light laughter moved through the room. Walt hesitated, rubbing his wrist slightly, the ache from the first demonstration still faintly present."I think I've had my turn," Walt said evenly, trying to keep the moment light."Come on now," Derek said, grinning at the crowd, playing to them more than to Walt. "You handled it like a champ last time. Let's really show these folks what a proper shoulder control technique looks like. This one's a favorite of mine."Margaret's hand found Walt's arm, gripping it lightly. "You don't have to," she murmured.But 31 years of never backing down from a challenge, even a small, foolish one, pulled Walt to his feet anyway. He walked back up to the mat, jaw set, the same easy public smile fixed in place, though something behind his eyes had grown more careful this time."This technique," Derek explained to the crowd, positioning himself behind Walt, "is what you'd use if someone grabbed you from behind. A shoulder lock, applied quickly, takes control of the whole body in about half a second."He reached up, gripping Walt's shoulder and wrist simultaneously, and rotated sharply—the motion far faster and far more forceful than anything he'd demonstrated an hour earlier.Walt's knees buckled slightly. A sharp gasp escaped him—involuntary, the kind of sound a body makes when pain arrives faster than the mind can brace for it."There we go," Derek said, oblivious, still addressing the crowd, still smiling for the cameras. "See how quickly that takes control—"But something in the front rows had shifted. Margaret was already halfway out of her seat. A few gasps rippled through the crowd, the kind that come when people realize all at once that what they're watching isn't quite right.Walt's face had gone pale. His free hand pressed instinctively against his shoulder. And though he tried out of pure stubborn pride to keep standing upright, his balance wavered. Derek, still riding the momentum of his own performance, held the lock a beat too long."Let him go."A voice said it. It wasn't loud; it didn't need to be.Emily was already moving.She crossed the gym floor faster than anyone in that room had ever seen her move—faster than anyone in that room had seen anybody move. And by the time most heads turned toward the sound of her voice, she was already at the mat.