The street vendors all testified, unanimously identifying the man as the instigator.

Officer Cole Macmillan glanced at the man curled up on the ground before turning to Jenna Roland. "What happened here?"

Jenna straightened her posture. "I hit him. He grabbed my brother by the collar—Milo just had surgery. I bit him, and he slapped me." She pointed to the blood at the corner of her mouth. "See? My ears are still ringing."

Officer Cole frowned. "But his injuries are severe. For a young woman like you—"

"I kicked the back of his knee," Jenna said bluntly. "When he dropped, I kicked him a few more times."

Milo immediately chimed in. "Officer, look at his size. We stood no chance. My friend just had an appendectomy and can't even stand straight now. This was clearly assault!"

The man on the ground groaned, his swollen lips unable to form coherent words.

Officer Liam Hill crouched beside him. "Name? Why did you attack the stall?"

"I... was..." The man slurred.

Jenna clenched her fists. "Officer, punish this bastard properly!"

Liam's gaze lingered on Jenna's face—her left cheek swollen, her ear flushed red, blood trickling from her lip. He averted his eyes calmly. "Call an ambulance."

Soon, sirens wailed as paramedics arrived.

The medical team loaded the man and Ryan Watson into the ambulance. Jenna accompanied them while Milo stayed to pack up their stall. Liam and Cole followed to the hospital.

In the examination room, the doctor frowned. "What's your relation to Ryan?"

"My brother's classmate. He was helping at our stall." Jenna asked urgently, "How is he?"

"Post-op wound rupture with internal bleeding," the doctor admonished. "He needs immediate debridement surgery."

Jenna dug her nails into her palms. She never should've let Ryan help.

"Operate as soon as possible," she said, voice trembling.

The doctor turned to Liam. "The other patient's condition is worse. Three fractured ribs, a broken leg, perforated eardrum, and internal bleeding."

Liam glanced at Jenna. He knew full well she couldn't have inflicted such damage alone. But for now, he remained silent.

"Treat the injuries first," Liam told the doctor.

The doctor shook his head helplessly. "We need family consent for surgery."