Duke’s gaze was calm and perceptive. "Gunnar and Silas got killed over this mess. Once Axel learns his son is dead, he’ll fly into a murderous retaliation frenzy. With no scapegoat left to take the blame, all the heat will fall straight on Cole. If he crumbles, every last one of us gets wiped out. Someone has to tie up these loose ends."Kane tried to dissuade him further, yet Duke had already made up his mind and said no more.Meanwhile, inside the compound of the Garrison Brigade Headquarters.The military transport truck that had escorted the fugitives pulled back into the base lot. The soldier stretched lazily as he climbed down and casually sorted out supplies, completely oblivious to the catastrophe bearing down on him.Siren wails suddenly exploded across the yard. Thirty to forty armed inspection troops swarmed the vehicle, their gun barrels locked firmly on the truck.A portly inspection officer stepped forward and delivered a brutal open-handed slap across the soldier’s face

On the gentle slope, Ford the Bald Man sprinted forward frantically, dropping to his knees in the snow to prop up Boone who lay soaked in blood. Boone’s eyes were squeezed shut, blood gushing heavily from his chest with only the faintest breath left in his body.“Useless trash!” Ford the Bald Man flew into a rage and kicked one of his underlings to the ground. “How could you fail to stop him even in point-blank gunfights?”The fallen subordinate stammered out an excuse. “He never dodged the bullets at all. He repositioned and set up his firing stance mid-fight with totally unscrupulous tactics—we simply couldn’t keep up.”Suppressing his panic, Ford the Bald Man barked out a decisive order. “Move everyone to the garrison hospital at once, move fast! Get Axel to clear a passage for us!”None of the men had the will to keep fighting. They scrambled to evacuate in a hurry, paying no mind to captured Duke or the missing Jax whatsoever.Inside the vehicle, Ford the Bald Man dialed Axel’s n

"Ma'am, Milo." Ford the Bald Man’s voice came out hoarse, his whole body throbbing with aches. "My health has fallen to pieces, otherwise I would have come to your door long ago."Boone’s wife’s eyes welled up with tears the moment she stepped inside, muffling her sobs. "Boone is gone. What are my boy and I supposed to do to get by from now on?"Young Milo clutched the hem of Ford the Bald Man’s coat, whimpering through his tears."Come inside quickly. Do not break down out here by the doorway." Ford the Bald Man forced the door shut and comforted them for a long while before their weeping slowly died down.Guilt weighed heavy on his heart. "Ma'am, this is my fault. I should have stopped him back then."Boone’s wife wiped away her tears, her gaze sharp yet worn out. "Ford the Bald Man, I will not hide anything from you. As long as Boone was alive, he kept all the rival factions and his various lovers under control. Now that he is dead, all these tangled personal connections will inevi

Pope curled up with his hands over his head, trembling and unable to utter a single word."Drag him into the alley and get him in the vehicle," Dusk barked sharply with crisp, decisive movements.Elsewhere, Orion slouched on the sofa inside his residence and confirmed grimly into his phone. "Brock from Firmament Pharmaceuticals has agreed to the meeting?"Early the next morning, ten hours after Pope was taken into custody.Dusk scarfed down a hasty breakfast before hitting the road and dialed Kane’s number."We’ve sealed off all loose clues and rounded up peripheral associates. Now we can move against Hawke. I’ll conduct isolated interrogations personally to guarantee zero information leaks.""Today is Boone’s funeral, and Hawke will definitely show up," Dusk asked for instructions. "Shall we take him down on the spot?"Kane’s tone was clipped, edged with icy killing intent. "Do it. Keep yourselves safe.""Copy that."Novara, Boone’s funeral service.The ceremony was lavishly grand. E

Orion sank back into his chair with unyielding resolve. "I cannot explain a three-year payment window to my men. Kill me or torture me, do whatever you please."Ford clenched his fists tight. "Are you pushing me into a corner?""That’s exactly what I’m doing." Orion jabbed a finger straight at Wade. "You’d turn against your old brothers just for his sake. I have nothing left to say.""One last time. Will you agree to these terms?""Never."Wade, who had kept silent all this while, jumped down from the cargo crate and urged him in a low voice. "Back down, for my brother’s sake—he was just laid to rest hours ago."Orion’s tone turned icy and rigid. "Do not use his memory to pressure me. I owe nothing to anyone."A deathly hush blanketed the warehouse instantly.Ford slowly pulled out his phone, his voice trembling slightly. "I never wanted things to spiral this far.My men have your family members, Boone’s fourth wife, and every high-ranking officer in your crew under constant surveilla