Shortly afterward, Dask showed up carrying food. He lightened the bickering between the two men with jokes, told everyone to stick to rotating guard shifts and stay alert. Then he got ready to check on the detainees, promising to apply for bonuses and leave time for the team afterward as a reward.Meanwhile, on the street outside the compound. A burly man pretended to rummage through trash, carefully scouting the surroundings. From takeout boxes, instant‑noodle buckets and other household waste, he concluded that only a small number of men were stationed inside with fixed guard routines; this was no fake setup.The man returned to the vehicle and reported. “The target is definitely here. Security is thin and their patrols are predictable. The time is right.”The man in the passenger seat stayed quiet for a moment, climbed out of the car and made a call to ask for instructions.......Inside a Viera hotel, Jolen had finished showering and tried calling his wife several times, yet no on

“I am one‑hundred‑percent certain,” Kane replied firmly. “All five of the assault gunmen are dead. The enemy had a getaway van standing by outside. I saw the vehicle and license plate with my own eyes. Two officers witnessed it, and surveillance footage confirms it. I did not have him killed behind the scenes.”Kane stared straight at him and made his final offer. “Join forces with me. Bring Oakley down together.”……Joellen walked into the morgue alone. With trembling hands, he slid open the cold‑storage drawer. Staring at Finnegan’s bruised, rigid face, more than a decade of brotherly bond washed over him. Fighting back tears, he reached out to wipe the blood from the dead man’s face.Joellen froze mid‑motion. He leaned forward and fixed his gaze on a scratch mark, completely stunned.South Spire.Rafe stepped forward to collect his payment, and all his men stood by ready. Undercurrents began to stir once more.Half‑past five the next evening, at a diner on the outskirts of South Sp

The phone suddenly rang.“Hello.”“Honey, Oakley’s people just stopped by our place,” his wife’s voice came through the line.A jolt of anxiety shot through Joren. “What did they say?”“Just small talk. They said Oakley doesn’t plan to stay in Novara long. He’ll probably leave in about a year or so. They urged us to go with him when the time comes. They can get our kids enrolled in schools across the EU, handle everything for us.”Joren’s expression turned complicated in an instant.......Southspire Orphanage.Reeve and his two accomplices pried open a window and snuck into the main building. The hall was dimly lit, and their footsteps echoed sharply against the tile floor. The three men moved forward slowly, keeping their speed low.Reaching the stairwell entrance, Reeve nudged the door ajar. “This godforsaken orphanage doesn’t even have a guard.”“It’s just an orphanage. What kind of security would it have?” the man behind him whispered back. “Let’s just charge straight in. Silas i

Staring into Brown’s calm yet ferocious eyes, the thug dared not make any reckless move and slowly raised both hands.Brown tucked his knife back at his waist, swiftly disarmed the two men. He gripped the survivor by the neck and glanced at the wounded one. “Lead the way.”“Boss…”“Quit stalling.” Brown pressed the gun muzzle forward. “Where are the men who broke in earlier being held? Take me upstairs.”Clutching his stomach, the injured man hesitated.“This is your only chance.” Brown’s gaze turned cold, his finger resting on the trigger.“Don’t shoot! I’ll go! I’ll go!” The man’s face drained of color. Holding his wound, he stumbled up the steps and entered the main building.Brown followed close behind, his arm locked around the hostage’s neck. He shouted out loud, “Beard, cut the power!”Perched on the compound wall, the bearded man pulled out his dagger and sliced through the power cables in one clean stroke.Every light in the orphanage’s main building went out all at once.The

The five men fled quickly toward the first floor, holding three key hostages at gunpoint. Their underlings followed close behind, keeping a safe one‑floor distance and daring not to close in recklessly.Once they reached the ground floor, Brown turned to Rafe. “Is the vehicle ready?”“It’s set.”Brown leaned in close to Rafe’s ear and quickly whispered a fallback plan.The moment the two men were huddled in quiet discussion, two dull thuds echoed from deep within the dim hallway.Brown spun around instantly, raising his gun and snapping into full alert.A small, scar‑covered young figure appeared abruptly in the doorway.The little girl dropped to her knees, her eyes wide with terror and pleading. “Sir, please get us out of here.”Brown’s pupils constricted. His heart sank, and he said gruffly, “Keep moving.”The girl clutched her clothing tightly. She glanced timidly toward Silas, who glared fiercely at her, then begged again in a trembling voice. “Sir, take me with you. I’ll do anyt