"Got it! I’ll get on it right away!""Come straight over to the gathering once you’re done." Kane hung up after speaking.He looked up and spotted Joren in the lobby, then walked over. "Who were you texting?"Joren put his phone away and waved with a smile. "Nobody outside. Just letting my family know my schedule.""Family‑oriented guy." Kane tossed out a casual jab.Joren chuckled and shook his head, his tone tinged with reflection. "You’ll understand once you settle down. When you have people to care for, even the hardest edges get worn down."Kane did not take the bait. He stepped aside and gestured. "Let’s head upstairs. Most of the group should be here by now."Joren asked, "When is Director Ingram arriving?""On his way, any minute now."The entertainment complex kept a low‑profile exterior, yet offered every amenity inside — food, drink and recreation of all kinds. It was a discreet high‑end social venue in the Nanyang district with maximum privacy. The guests tonight fell into

The light‑hearted banter smoothed over the brief awkwardness, and Kane sat down right beside Joren.Joren immediately livened up the room, waving at the others. "Alright everyone, pay attention! Now that the director’s gone, Captain Kane is calling the shots tonight. Time for toasts, one by one!"Kane quickly waved it off. "Skip the formal stuff. I can barely hold any more liquor. Let’s just chat.""Can’t do that." One of Joren’s men stood up with his glass, wearing an earnest grin. "I’ll keep holding this glass up until Captain Kane takes a drink."Kane laughed in resignation and gave in. "Fine, fine. One at a time, don’t gang‑up on me."People stepped forward to toast him in turn, and the room buzzed with energy. After two drinks, Kane’s cheeks flushed, showing clear signs of intoxication. He turned toward Joren, who acted completely unruffled, and asked softly."What were you doing when you stepped out earlier?"Joren’s expression did not shift for a second, and he answered without

Blue electric sparks burst forth instantly. The floor’s power circuits short‑circuited abruptly. Lights on the third, fourth and fifth floors of the building flickered wildly a few times before cutting out completely, plunging the entire level into pitch‑black darkness.[Fourth‑Floor Hotel Room · The Moment Power Failed]Sudden darkness swallowed the room. Pierce snapped alert at once, rolling to his feet and growling in a low voice, “Why did the power trip?”The woman beside him tried to soothe him. “It’s nothing, just a blackout. No need to stop.”But Pierce stayed on high alert, his brows drawn tight. “Something’s off. Full‑floor power trips rarely happen late at night. I’m afraid something has gone wrong.”[Hotel Back Entrance · Simultaneously]Cruz, who had appeared thoroughly drunk earlier, had now shaken off all traces of intoxication. His gaze was sharp and clear, his steps steady. Hiding in the shadows by the back exit, he made a phone call, his tone urgent and harsh. “Get he

“Take out Oakley, and I’ll immediately seize all of Nanyang’s power, consolidate all his former men, tie myself firmly to you, and become one of yours.” Joren clenched his fists, his tone firm and resolute. “Oakley has wallowed in filth his whole life. Every last one of his sins will die with him, and none of it will rub off on you. My record is far cleaner than his. I’m far more worthy of your trust and your use.”“On top of that, I’ll hand over the original full‑length video that takes down Cruz, free of charge. Once Oakley is dead, every move Kane has made up to this point will be nullified, gone to waste. We’ll hold lethal blackmail material, and from then on, we’ll have Kane dancing right on our strings.”Wade’s eyes widened in sudden realization. A storm raged inside him. The scope and ruthlessness of this gambit far exceeded anything he had expected.Beside him, Weston wore a sneer, his gaze full of wariness. “You’d stab your own patron in the back. How are we supposed to work

【Outside the Compound · Ambush Spot Inside the Vehicle】Wade leaned back against the car seat, a cigarette clamped between his fingers, his eyes icy cold. "Oakley definitely senses something is wrong, but he has no idea Jason is already dead.""Weston, take your men inside to make contact. The second he steps out, take him down on the spot and rescue the hostages. Keep it clean, no loose ends."Joren sat in the back seat, his gaze fixed hard on the hardware at Oliver’s waist. His whole body was tensed, his mind filled with nothing but the safety of his wife and child.Weston shook his head. "I’ll go in myself. Quick and decisive.""Watch out for ambushes," Wade warned. "Open fire the second things go south, and the whole team will charge in to back you up immediately.""Understood."Weston pushed the car door open and stepped out, walking alone toward the pitch‑black compound.【Main Hall of the Compound】Oakley pressed the muzzle of his gun faintly against Joren’s wife’s back, his voi