“So this was your plan all along?” Xavier roared into the phone, his voice cracking with fury. “You sent me out there to fail, didn’t you? You used me as a damn distraction!”Lord Chen was quiet, letting the accusation hang in the air. This only poured gasoline on Xavier’s rage.“You bastard!” Xavier screamed, the image of himself on his knees burning behind his eyes. “Do you have any idea what you’ve cost me? The humiliation I suffered? I kissed Carter’s feet! That is a stain I will never erase! I will never forgive this!”“I understand your frustration, Xavier,” Lord Chen’s voice was maddeningly calm. “But it was a necessary sacrifice for the greater good.”“What greater good?!” Xavier yelled, kicking a shattered piece of his coffee table. “We still don’t have the rings! I’m banned from entering Springfield city! Your nephew is five steps ahead of you! All you’ve done is fail!”“That,” Lord Chen countered smoothly, “is precisely what I want Zeke to think. Our failure tonight has wor

A river of strangers flowed through the central train station. Zeke stood near the arrivals board, his eyes constantly scanning the crowd. The time on his wristwatch was 2:15 p.m. He was supposed to be meeting with Panda by this hour.He ambled over to a small newspaper kiosk. "The financial times," he said, pulling out some change.The elderly vendor behind the counter leaned forward. "I've been expecting you, young master. How is your wife?"Zeke didn't look surprised. Panda was a man of many faces. A master of disguise. "She's safe, on her way to London. Do you have what I asked for?"Panda nodded. He slid a neatly folded newspaper across the counter. Tucked inside the newsprint was a map showing the new locations of the rings."Moving those rings from their original locations was a risky move, young master," Panda murmured, his eyes scanning the crowd as he spoke. "They are now scattered to the winds. The Greyhounds will be looking for them. It will be hard to get them all back.

Lord Chen dove to the ground, crawling on his belly through broken glass and spilled blood. The sharp crack of a bullet split the air, grazing the edge of the wall just inches from his head. He cursed furiously under his breath, pressing his cheek against the cold floor.Every one of his men was down, laying lifeless across the floor like discarded puppets. He was the only one left alive."That sniper could be anywhere!" he hissed. "One slip up and I'm as good as dead."Lord Chen’s mind raced. He knew this wasn’t a random counterattack. No, this was Zeke’s doing. It had to be. Then, from the corner of his eye, he saw movement ahead of him. It was the youngest of the Shepherds family, a little girl no older than eight, trembling beside her mother. In a desperate move, Lord Chen lunged and grabbed her by the collar, yanking her in front of him like a shield."Please, no! That's my daughter!" the girl's mother screamed."Shut up!" Lord Chen snarled. He pressed his pistol to the girl

The council chamber was a sanctum where only members of the Rockechilds family were allowed to enter.The sanctum's hall was built in a circle, lined with banners that bore the twin lions and crown of the Rockechilds. The three elders of the Rockechild council sat on a raised dais, ready to pass judgement to Lord Chen. The entire family was assembled around the circular gallery while Zeke sat beside his mother by the corner.Guards dragged Lord Chen to the center of the sanctum and forced him to his knees.The eldest elder, a man with a long white beard and eyes like chips of flint, spoke first. "Lord Chen. You have betrayed this family a second time. You broke out of prison, allied with our sworn enemies, and gave two of the Ten Rings to the Greyhounds. What do you have to say for yourself?"For a moment, there was silence. Then Lord Chen chuckled evilly. "Look at you. All of you. After twelve years, I am finally relevant in your eyes again. This is what you get for locking me away

Zeke stepped off the private ferry from the island onto the mainland dock. Leaning against a sleek, black Harley Davidson motorcycle was a man who looked more like a fashion model than a corporate executive. It was Spencer, CFO of Rockechild Group.Spencer wore a impeccably tailored dark coat over a sharp suit, with designer sunglasses completing the look. The man smelled faintly of cedar and expensive cologne. Everything about him screamed money. He loved good clothes the way other people breathe air.While Zeke found Spencer's expensive tastes a bit flashy, he never complained. Spencer’s genius for finance and logistics was what kept the Rockechild Group thriving in Zeke's absence.He was a valuable asset that cannot be replaced.Spencer gave a slight, respectful bow. “Good evening, young master. How was your meeting with the council elders?”“It went as well as could be expected, Spencer,” Zeke said, his eyes drifting to the motorcycle. He pointed at it. “I like her.”A rare s