The whole family stared at Ethan in absolute shock, unable to believe that this man sitting across from them won $50 million dollars in lottery.Ethan lifted his glass and took another sip when his phone suddenly began vibrating against his pocket. The sound was faint at first, but in the quiet dining room, it was impossible to miss.Ethan reached into his pocket and pulled out the phone, his eyes moving to check the caller ID.Mom.His expression changed immediately.He had not expected a call from his mother at this hour.After everything that had happened, his parents were supposed to be resting at the hotel. Ethan had specifically told them to take the evening slowly because of his father's condition.A small concern settled in his chest.Ethan slowly pushed his chair back and rose to his feet, his expression changing as he glanced down at the phone in his hand. The device had been vibrating against his palm for several seconds, and something about the repeated call made it imposs

The killer looked at the two unconscious patients, his gaze moving slowly from one bed to the other.The room had become strangely quiet. The frantic activity that had surrounded Ethan's parents when they were first brought in was gone, leaving only the soft hum of the machines and the steady electronic beeping of the monitors. Under the cold hospital lights, Ethan's father and mother looked almost peaceful, their faces pale against the white pillows, their bodies motionless beneath the sheets.The killer slipped one hand inside his coat.When it emerged, he was holding a small syringe.A clear liquid filled the barrel.He held it up briefly, watching the colorless substance catch the light before lowering his hand again. There was nothing hurried about him. He had been paid to finish the job, and he intended to do exactly that.His attention settled on Ethan's father.The older man lay unconscious, his breathing shallow but steady as the monitor beside him continued to record his hea

The killer's last words struck something inside Ethan that had been barely holding together.His parents were dead, and this man was standing there smiling about it.Something in Ethan snapped.His breathing became heavier, his shoulders tensed, and the pain in his eyes was suddenly swallowed by a surge of uncontrollable rage. Before he could think about what he was doing, Ethan lunged forward, charging straight at the killer with every ounce of fury coursing through his body.He was only a few steps away when the killer moved.His right hand disappeared beneath his jacket with startling speed. A second later, he pulled out a handgun and raised it directly toward Ethan's face.“Not so fast.”Ethan stopped so abruptly that his shoes scraped against the floor.His entire body froze.His eyes widened as he stared down the barrel pointed directly at his forehead. The sudden appearance of the weapon changed the atmosphere instantly. The rage that had driven him forward remained burning ins

The killer swallowed hard, his throat tightening as his eyes remained locked on Guardian.There was something deeply unsettling about the man standing before him.The killer had encountered strong opponents before. He had fought people who were bigger, faster, and more experienced than ordinary men, but Guardian was different.The ease with which he had dismantled him had shattered every bit of confidence the killer had carried into the place. There had been no struggle, no desperate exchange of blows, and no opportunity for him to fight back. One moment, he had been in control, and the next, he had been thrown across the room like he weighed nothing.For the first time since entering the whole thing began, genuine fear appeared on the killer's face.He knew he could not defeat this man.He could not outrun him either.And after what had just happened, he was beginning to realize that even escaping might be impossible.His eyes flicked toward the gun lying several feet away before qui

The room remained silent after Ethan's last words.For a moment, neither he nor Guardian moved.The dead killer lay several meters away, his body sprawled against the floor in a position that looked strangely unnatural now that the struggle was over. The gun had come to rest near the wall, while the man's phone remained in Guardian's hand, its screen casting a pale glow across his face.Ethan stared at that screen.The unknown number was still there.Whoever was behind it was unaware that their hired killer was dead.That single fact changed everything.Only a few minutes ago, Ethan had thought the trail had ended with the man's death. Now, however, he realized that the killer's death might have given them something far more valuable than his confession ever could have.A chance to reach the person who had hired him.Ethan slowly approached Guardian, his eyes still fixed on the phone in the man's hand. The dead killer lay several feet away, but Ethan could barely spare him a glance no