Harry's instincts kicked in immediately. He rushed toward the wounded woman, desperate to help her before she bled out completely.But he'd barely taken three steps when he saw the muzzle flash.The bullet screamed past him, and Harry twisted his body at the last second. White-hot pain seared across his left hand as the bullet grazed his flesh, tearing through skin and leaving a burning trail of blood."Agh!" Harry clutched his hand, feeling the warm blood seeping between his fingers."Don't you fucking move!" the leader screamed, his weapon trained directly on Harry's head now. "One more step and the next bullet goes through your skull!"Harry froze, breathing hard, his hand throbbing with pain. The wounded woman was still on the floor, her breathing shallow and labored, blood pooling around her body."Please," Harry said through gritted teeth. "She's dying. Let me help her.""Let you help her?" The leader laughed—a horrible, unhinged sound. "You want to help? Then give me what I cam

Harry knelt beside the woman's lifeless body, his hands trembling as he reached toward the gunshot wound. If he could just touch her, channel his healing power before it was too late—"Get away from her!" A hand shoved Harry backward roughly.Richard Anderson stood over him, his face twisted with rage. "You've done enough damage!"Harry stumbled but caught himself. "Mr. Anderson, please, I can help her—""Help her?" Richard's voice rose to a shout. "This woman is dead because of you! You refused to cooperate, you played hero, and now she's paid the price!""That's not what happened," Harry protested, reaching for the woman again.Richard shoved him even harder this time, and Harry fell backward onto the blood-slicked floor. "Don't you dare touch her! Let her die in peace, you arrogant bastard!""You don't understand," Harry said desperately, trying to crawl back toward the woman. "I can save her. Just let me—""Save her?" Richard laughed bitterly. "With what? Your magical powers? You'

"Then you don't know what really happened, do you?" Richard turned back to Michael. "Mr. Chen, I'm just trying to protect you from someone who clearly can't be trusted."Michael's face was troubled as he looked at Harry. "Harry, I want to believe you. But these are serious accusations.""They're lies!" Harry said, his frustration mounting."Are they?" Richard pressed. "Then why did you tell those gunmen you'd lead them to the Chens? What possible reason could you have for saying that?"Harry opened his mouth to explain again, but then he looked around at the crowd. More people had gathered now, drawn by the confrontation. He could see the doubt in their eyes, the suspicion. Richard Anderson was a respected businessman, surrounded by other respected people all telling the same story.What was Harry? A college student. A nobody. Someone who'd walked away from his family. His word against theirs was worthless."I..." Harry shook his head. "I did what I thought was right.""That's not an

Frank's face reddened. "I didn't mean to offend—""Well, you did," Richard said. "Now if you'll excuse me, I need to find my daughters and leave this nightmare of an evening."He walked away, leaving Frank standing alone again, his anger and frustration mounting. Everyone was turning on him. Everyone was becoming an obstacle. And Gage—Gage was the biggest problem of all."I'll have to do it myself," Frank muttered under his breath. "If I can't find someone to get rid of Gage, I'll just have to handle it personally."Meanwhile, Michael's car pulled up to his estate. He'd insisted that Harry come back with them to have his injured hand properly treated by his family doctor.The Chen mansion was even more impressive than Harry had imagined. Security guards waved them through the gates, and they pulled up to a sprawling modern structure that seemed to glow in the night.Inside, Sarah came running out to greet them. "Dad! Adeline! I saw the news! Are you okay?""We're fine, sweetheart," Mi

Samuel Walsh's face had turned an alarming shade of red, and his hands were trembling with rage. "There is absolutely no way I'm letting you work in my department! Not after the disrespect you just showed me!"Harry crossed his arms calmly. "That's fine. I'll just go back to Mr. Chen and let him know that you refused to accept his assignment. I'm sure he'll be very understanding."Samuel's expression shifted instantly from anger to panic. "Wait, wait! You can't do that!""Why not?" Harry asked innocently. "You just said you won't let me work here.""I..." Samuel's mouth worked silently for a moment. Everyone knew that defying Michael Chen directly was career suicide. "Fine. Fine! You can work in the department.""Good," Harry said. "But I have conditions.""Conditions?" Samuel's eye twitched. "You're in no position to make demands!""Actually, I am," Harry replied. "Because if things don't change around here, I will tell Mr. Chen exactly what I found when I arrived. The mess, the outd