The silence in the surveillance room after the footage was deleted felt heavier than before. The monitor displayed nothing but an empty playback screen, as though the events of that night had never existed. Connor turned slowly toward the officers, his eyes dark with disbelief.“What exactly just happened?” he asked, his voice steady but edged with anger. “You walked into this building, watched clear evidence of a kidnapping, and then ordered it erased. I want a proper explanation.” Connor said in anger.The taller officer met his gaze as he continued explaining. “Mr. Winchester, keeping that kind of sensitive material in an accessible system could cause serious complications.”“Complications for who?” Connor shot back immediately.“For everyone involved,” the officer replied vaguely. “You must understand that certain digital records, especially those connected to powerful organizations, can create consequences simply by existing.”Harris stepped forward, folding his arms. “That soun

The tension inside the surveillance room did not disappear after the officers advised Connor to step back.Instead, it grew heavier.Connor stood still for a moment, then slowly turned to face them again.“No,” he said firmly. “That’s not enough.”The officers paused.Connor took a step closer.“I need a clearer explanation,” he demanded. “Stop speaking in half sentences. Stop giving me warnings without details. If you expect me to walk away, then at least have the decency to tell me exactly why.”One of the older officers sighed and adjusted his cap.“Mr. Winchester,” he began carefully, “some battles are beyond what ordinary law enforcement can handle.”Connor frowned.“Beyond law enforcement?” he repeated. “You are the law.”The officer shook his head slowly.“On paper, yes,” he said. “But reality is different.”Connor crossed his arms.“Explain,” he said flatly.The officer looked at his colleague briefly before continuing.“Pursuing Li Feng openly,” he said, “would not just put u

Harris finally exhaled deeply as they walked toward the car. “I still cannot believe what just happened in there,” he said, shaking his head slowly. “They looked us in the eyes and admitted they were afraid.”Connor kept his gaze straight ahead. “They did not just admit fear,” he replied calmly. “They chose it.”The driver unlocked the car and both of them got in and he started the engine, but he did not drive off immediately.“People are supposed to run to the police when they are in danger,” Harris continued. “That is the whole point of the law. But today, we ran to them and they stepped back.”Connor leaned his head against the seat and stared at the windshield. “The law protects the weak when the enemy is small,” he said quietly. “But when the enemy is powerful, the law protects itself.”Harris sighed and they drove out of the parking lot. “It feels like betrayal,” he admitted. “They knew everything about Li Feng. They knew about the people who disappeared. Yet they acted as if th

CHAPTER 147Connor’s breathing was heavy and uneven as he pressed his hand tightly against his injured arm. He dropped to one knee and quickly scanned the ground until he spotted his phone lying a few feet away near a metal crate. Ignoring the sharp pain in his arm, he crawled toward it and grabbed it with trembling fingers.“Stay conscious,” he muttered to himself. “Do not pass out now.”He unlocked the phone and dialed Harris’s number immediately.The line rang once.Twice.Then Harris picked up.“Connor?” Harris’s voice came through clearly. “Did you board already?”“Harris,” Connor said, struggling to keep his tone steady. “Send help to the private airstrip immediately.”There was a sudden pause on the other end.“What?” Harris asked, his voice instantly rising with alarm. “What happened?”“They came back,” Connor said.“Who came back?” Harris demanded.“The officers,” Connor replied. “The same ones from Elite Series Hall.”Harris went silent for a split second.“What are you sayi

Connor sat on the cold concrete beside the private plane, his back resting against the metal stairway, his injured arm hanging stiffly at his side. Blood had soaked through the sleeve of his shirt and was dripping steadily onto the ground beneath him. His breathing was controlled, but the pain was relentless, sharp and burning with every slight movement.The distant sound of sirens grew louder.Within minutes, headlights flooded the area as an ambulance sped toward the scene, followed by two security vehicles. The vehicles stopped abruptly, and Harris stepped out before they had even fully settled.“Connor!” Harris shouted as he rushed forward.Connor looked up, his face pale but stubborn. “You took your time.”Harris dropped to his knees beside him and immediately assessed the injury. “You were shot, Connor. Do not act as though this is a scratch.”“It is not fatal,” Connor replied calmly.The paramedics hurried over with a stretcher.“Sir, we need to get you inside immediately,”