Everyone froze, wondering what Andrew meant by Tiana was pretending. Meanwhile, Bane's heart skipped a beat as a terrifying realization crept into his mind.

However, it was already too late. Before he could react, Tiana—who had been slumped in apparent weakness—suddenly tensed. Her fingers spread wide, a razor-sharp energy coiling around her fingertips, dark and lethal.

Then, with a sickening rip, her entire hand plunged into Bane's chest.

A garbled gasp escaped Bane's throat as blood gurgled up, spilling from his lips. His eyes widened in disbelief as he looked down, only to see Tiana's hand inside his chest—clutching his still-beating heart.

She insulted, "A runaway dog from the Advanced Medical Institute, a disgrace to the martial world. Did you really think you could outplay me?"

With a cold laugh, Tiana yanked her hand back through Bane's body, her fingers squeezing as she pulled his heart free.

She casually tossed the organ aside, letting it hit the floor with a wet