Several officers swarmed forward. Batons and gunstocks rained down, knocking the man unconscious within seconds and rendering him completely incapable of fighting back.Through the viewing window of his riot shield amid the smoke, Joren scanned rapidly and spotted Oliver scrambling to flee.Oliver coughed violently and glanced back by instinct. The moment their eyes met, he raised his shotgun and aimed straight at Joren.“You wanted me dead? Come on!” Joren charged forward with his shield held high.Shotgun pellets slammed into the riot shield. The steel plate cracked instantly, and the brutal shock traveled up his arms, forcing Joren two stumbling steps backward.A seasoned marksman, Oliver reloaded fast. He avoided the shield’s front face and took precise aim at Joren’s exposed lower leg.Another gunshot rang out. A cloud of blood burst from Joren’s right calf. Crippling pain sent him staggering.“Let’s see you chase me now!” Eyes bloodshot, Oliver chambered another round, ready to

The boy’s head slammed hard against the cold wall, producing a dull thud. Tears welled up in his eyes as he stared at Oakley, his voice thin and trembling. “Mister, I’ll behave. Please don’t hurt my dad.”Oakley’s ferocious expression froze abruptly.His hands were stained with countless lives. Decades of evil had hardened his heart into stone. Yet, faced with the child’s pure, terrified gaze, the twisted will to die burning inside him wavered for a fleeting moment.“My dad and I don’t have money for medicine. The doctor said… he won’t live much longer.” The little boy choked back sobs, his palm clamped tight around the deadly grenade.Oakley’s Adam’s apple bobbed. He knitted his brows tightly, shoving the strange twinge in his chest aside, and barked sharply. “Keep moving down. Hurry!”Holding the grenade that could detonate at any second, the little boy stumbled down the steps, shaking with every step.The middle‑aged man lying injured on the floor dragged himself forward desperatel

Oakley let out a bitter laugh, his voice hoarse and dry, voicing the ultimate question that had haunted him his whole life. "Kane, tell me. Back then, I saved lives in the hospital. I worked hard and played by the rules, yet I made no money, lost all my dignity, and got pushed around by everyone. But once I threw away my morals, resorted to any means necessary, and got my hands bloody, I got rich. I gained power. People even looked up to me and praised me.""You are a high‑ranking law‑enforcement officer. Tell me, why is that?"Kane stared at the emptiness and confusion in his eyes. For a moment, he fell silent, unable to give an answer.Seeing this, the last glimmer of light died out in Oakley’s gaze. He lowered his head, overcome with disappointment. "Even you have no answer, do you?"Kane stood up and walked slowly toward him. His tone was steady yet sharp, cutting straight to the root of the problem. "The world can be unfair, but human greed and malice are the real disease. You bl

The sheriff then turned toward Cruz and held out his hand in greeting. Cruz wore a blank expression, his gaze icy and sidelong. He did not move an inch. Instead, he silently pulled out his phone and stood sideways, radiating frigid hostility.Looking slightly embarrassed, the sheriff could only offer an awkward smile and wave. He turned and led his team to escort the prisoner into their vehicle.As the car slowly pulled away, the window rolled down. With a cigarette dangling from his lips, Silas glanced over at Kane beside the car, his tone brash and taunting. “Buddy, thanks for looking after me all this time! Come visit Southspire sometime, and I’ll give you a proper welcome!”Kane stood rooted to the spot, staring at the man’s arrogant, triumphant face. A crushing sense of powerlessness washed over him.The convoy faded from view, and the dust settled.“Let’s go.” Kane spoke in a low, heavy voice.Inside their car, Hagen burned with rage and could not hold back a curse. “What a mess

“Cole has secured his position as Chief Councilor of Southmound and holds the clout to liaise with higher‑ups. We will run into restrictions everywhere in this region from now on,” Wade analyzed the overall situation in a low voice. “After Ingram’s transfer, the new director for Black Street is a neutral appointee sent over by headquarters. He will definitely not side with any local factions in the short term. On top of that, Joren has forged deep ties with Pierce, and that alliance is already solidified.”He lifted his eyes toward Weston, every word sharp and lucid. “Do the math. If we keep fighting for control over Black Street, we will have to go up against Kane, who is watching our every move, and Pierce, whose strength matches ours. Stretched thin on two fronts, we stand zero chance of winning.”“I get it,” Weston nodded slowly.“Greed brings ruin,” Wade lowered his gaze, his tone resolute. “We no longer hold absolute dominance over Black Street. Forcing a two‑front operation wil