Connor sat in the backseat of the cab, his thoughts revolved around Iris with an intensity that made his chest feel tight. “If this man truly knows something,” Connor muttered to himself under his breath, “then today might be the turning point.”He shifted slightly in his seat, his fingers brushing against the black case resting beside him. Inside it was one million dollars in cash. It was not the money that bothered him; he had access to far more than that. What troubled him was the possibility of false hope. If the man from the comment section had been bluffing, then Connor would not forgive easily.“I just need one solid lead,” he told himself. “Just one.”The driver’s voice suddenly interrupted his thoughts.“Sir,” the driver said respectfully, glancing at him through the rearview mirror, “we have arrived.”Connor blinked and straightened his posture. “Already?”“Yes, sir. This is Blue Rim Restaurant.”Connor lifted his gaze and looked through the windshield. The restaurant st

The next morning at John Parker’s mansion. .Nina stood outside Iris’s door, holding a carefully packaged white wedding gown draped over her arm. Her fingers trembled slightly as she raised her hand and knocked.The knock was firm but not aggressive.Inside the room, Iris was seated on the floor near the window, staring blankly at the iron gates below. The sound of the knock made her stiffen instantly.“Who is that?” she demanded harshly, her voice sharp and irritated.“It is me,” Nina replied gently from the other side. “Please open the door.”Iris let out a short, humorless laugh. “If it is you, then you can go back the way you came.”Nina swallowed. “Miss Iris, please… open the door so we can talk.”“There is nothing to talk about,” Iris snapped immediately. “And whatever nonsense you have brought with you, you can take it back.”Nina hesitated for a moment before speaking again. “Today is your wedding day. Mr. Parker expects you to be ready soon. We must leave for the church in le

Connor stood in front of his open wardrobe, carefully selecting clothes as though he were preparing for an ordinary business trip.He folded each shirt with precision and placed it neatly into the large black suitcase resting on the bed. His movements were steady and controlled, almost mechanical, as if he had switched off every emotion and reduced himself to a machine focused only on a task.On the bed beside the suitcase lay his passport, several travel documents, and two black cards aligned perfectly next to each other. Everything was arranged with order and discipline. Yet inside his mind, there was nothing but chaos.His thoughts were scattered. Iris’ face kept flashing before him. Now she was somewhere far away, possibly terrified, possibly fighting, possibly losing hope. That thought alone made his chest tighten.He reached into the drawer and picked up a simple wristwatch. It was not expensive. It was not flashy. It was one of the few items he wore even before reclaiming his i

The sound of the police siren faded as the patrol car came to a smooth stop in front of the Winchester mansion. Two uniformed officers stepped out, their expressions firm and professional. The iron gates had already been opened by security, and Harris stood waiting at the entrance, trying his best to maintain composure.“Good afternoon, officers,” Harris greeted politely. “Thank you for coming on such short notice.”“We received a call regarding a kidnapping,” one of the officers said, adjusting his cap. “Is the complainant present?”“Yes,” Harris replied, stepping aside. “He is inside.”They walked into the sitting room where Connor stood near the fireplace, his posture straight, his face calm but tight with restraint. His eyes briefly met the officers’, and he gave a small nod.“Mr. Winchester?” the taller officer asked.“Yes,” Connor answered evenly. “Thank you for coming.”The officers took their seats across from him while Harris remained standing nearby, watching carefully.“Le

Connor took a slow breath before he spoke again. He looked directly at the two officers and said in a steady voice, “The people behind Iris’s kidnapping are members of the Black Lotus.”The effect of the name was immediate.Both officers exchanged a sharp, meaningful look. The taller one straightened slightly and asked carefully, “Are you referring to the Black Lotus controlled by Li Feng?”Connor did not hesitate. “Yes,” he replied firmly. “That is exactly who I mean.”Harris, who had been standing quietly beside him, frowned slightly and added, “You seem to recognize the name very quickly. How are you already familiar with Li Feng?”The shorter officer gave a humorless smile. “Mr. Harris, Li Feng is not a ghost in our records. He may not have official convictions tied to his name, but in law enforcement circles, he is very well known.”Connor narrowed his eyes. “Known in what way?”The taller officer clasped his hands behind his back and spoke with measured seriousness. “Li Feng is