“Scared, Buddy?” Cocky Black Belt Taunts a Single Mom — Unaware She’s a Combat Legend...
Chapter 10
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Meanwhile, Tanner decided that the fastest way to secure his reputation before the showcase was to remove Jo entirely.On Thursday evening, three days before the showcase, Tanner quietly instructed Curtis, an eager younger student: "Go a little harder than usual on this one. Push through the block instead of stopping at contact."When the drill began, Curtis grabbed Jo's arm with excessive, painful force. Jo's reflexes took over: she pivoted, broke the grip cleanly, and her elbow clipped Curtis's jaw, dropping him to one knee with a split lip."I'm sorry," Jo said immediately, kneeling beside him. "Are you all right?""I think I grabbed you too hard," Curtis admitted quietly."Whoa, whoa!" Tanner cut in loudly. "That was way more than the drill called for! Is anyone getting this on video?"A student had recorded the final second on a phone: Jo's elbow connecting, Curtis dropping. It showed none of the excessive grip, none of Tanner's private instructions.By Friday morning, Gary Priestley suspended Jo from the class, citing liability, and gave a statement to the Gazette that painted her as an unstable aggressor. Gary also called the owner of the Wagon Wheel, applying quiet pressure until Jo's manager asked her to take a few days off. On Saturday morning, Jo received a formal letter barring her from Ironclad's premises entirely.Saturday afternoon, Dana Fitch and Margaret Wren arrived at Jo's door."We know it's not true," Dana said. "We saw how hard Curtis grabbed you.""I already gave a statement to Tanner's cousin at the police station," Margaret added firmly. "You don't strike me as someone who loses control over nothing."On Sunday afternoon, Earl Bannister brought a sack of homegrown tomatoes to her porch. "Heard folks talking ugly about you in town. Didn't sound like the woman who's been pouring my coffee. Figured you could use some tomatoes and someone telling you that."Sunday evening, Walt Higgins and two VFW members knocked on her door. "Whatever happens tomorrow," Walt told her, "you're not walking into that building alone."By 5:30 on Saturday evening, Ironclad Academy was packed. Mayor Diane Coulson and the town council members were seated near the front; reporters and families filled the rows.Jo arrived quietly, sitting in the very back row in plain clothes. Walt Higgins, Otis Redmond, and several VFW members sat two rows ahead of her; Dana and Margaret sat in the middle.At 6:00, Gary Priestley opened the event with smooth political remarks, alluding vaguely to "a participant who was unfortunately asked to step back in the interest of safety."He then introduced his son: "Ironclad's head instructor, Tanner Priestley!"Tanner took the microphone, soaking in the applause. "Tonight, you're going to watch real self-defense in action from someone who's earned the right to teach it."That was the exact moment Frank Doyle stood up."I'd like to say something, if I might," Frank said, walking toward the mat with a manila folder. "A black belt with three stripes isn't something a man just decides to wear one day. It's earned through sanctioned testing."