Alex didn’t waste another minute, but took his private jet and flew straight to Hannington, the oldest city in Alexandria.He landed in a remote airport to keep his visit a secret and hired a cab to take him to his destination.Bavarian facades and ornate pilasters greeted Alex as he drove through the land steeped in history and tradition.High up on Laslowe Street, he reached the Winchester Mansion guarded by an ancient-looking iron gate with a Greco-Roman stone fountain out front.Walking up the cobblestone path, he tapped the wing-shaped bronze knocker.A minute later, the door opened, and he was welcomed inside by a neatly-dressed butler.“Mr. Verlaine, thank Goodness you came!” Safira Winchester cried from the living room. “Lucy has been really shaken up by that horrid…present. We don’t know what to do anymore.”“Don’t worry about it. I am here now. And you can call me Alex.”As Alex walked in, Damon Winchester drew the curtains together and ordered the butler to fetch the box.“

Three hours later, Alex arrived at an abandoned university on the western fringes of the state of Ivera.At the gate, a lone guard wearing a simple faded blue uniform and a dull black company cap stopped him.“You can’t go in there. The university is closed for renovations.”“I noticed. But I am not here for an education,” Alex replied in his smooth voice, gazing at the scaffolds surrounding the building. “I am here to trade in blood.”As Alex’s gaze returned to the guard, he smiled politely.But the guard cleared his throat and muttered, “I don’t know what you are talking about. Just take a hike. This place is closed.”“Braxton Willoughby. Call him. Tell him, Alexander Verlaine is here to see him.”Hearing that name, the guard's expression instantly changed.“Just wait here. Don’t go snooping around.”“Of course.”The guard scampered back into his kiosk and called a number.A minute later, a man dressed in a wine-red suit came out, accompanied by 2 stern-looking bodyguards.“Mr. Verl

There weren’t many people in the city who’d willingly walk into cartel territory, and even fewer who would dare to pull out a gun in front of their boss.Xavier Cortez turned dead serious, tightening his lips and slapping the cash down on the table.“You walk into my den and pull a damn gun right in front of me,” he growled, glaring at Alex. “You got some balls; I’ll give you that. Maybe I’ll listen to this business proposition before I string you up by your guts.”Alex’s lips curved into a wicked grin, and he let out a scornful chuckle.“It seems you don’t know who I am. Cartel bosses like you are nothing but little roaches for me. And I enjoy crushing bugs under my boots. Fortunately, I am not here for you.”Hearing the insulting words, Xavier lost his temper.“What the hell are you just standing there for? Shoot this son of a gun!” he shouted at his men.“We can’t,” one of them mumbled.“He took our guns, boss,” the other added nervously.“You useless pieces of crap!” Xavier pulled

Alex’s eyes sharpened, focusing on the tall figure of the suited man staring at him from above.His words had already made it very clear that he wasn’t even trying to deny his connection to the events that followed Alex’s wedding.“I never knew I was so famous around here. So, who is this woman who’s got you wrapped around her finger? How much is she paying you?” Alex asked, sneering at the All Father.Santiago placed his hands on the wooden bannisters and replied, “She is not paying me anything. Not everything is about money. I am doing this to help her meet the man of her dreams. And so far, it seems it has worked.”“Man of her dreams, huh?” Alex scoffed, disgusted by the whole affair. “I am already married to someone else.”“All marriages don’t last forever. You of all people should know that,” Santiago mocked, grinning under his hat. “You should really meet her before you decide what’s best for you.”A slender young woman dressed in a smooth satin gown, clutching an expensive diam

That same night, after returning to Ivera, Alex took a private chopper straight to Nexus City.His first stop was the Nexus Police Department HQ.The Chief of Police was surprised to see Alex show up without notice and immediately stood up attentively.“Mr. Verlaine, I did not know you were coming. Is there a problem?”“I need access to all the traffic cam footage from the toll plazas leading in and out of Nexus City. Two months should be enough.”The confused police chief wiped the sweat from his forehead and asked, “Are you looking for someone? Do you want me to organize a manhunt?”“No, that won’t be necessary. Just the traffic footage will do. I’d also like to review a few case files…discreetly, of course.”“Sure thing, Mr. Verlaine. I’ll arrange everything for you. Just give me till tomorrow.”Alex left without any further clarification.Next, he visited Red Shroom’s old office, which had now been incorporated into Alex’s very own crypto trading firm named Neon Dreams.Alex barge