“One hundred thousand dollars.”The leader stared at Maverick as if he had just heard the most ridiculous demand in the world. Around them, his men were still on the ground....some clutching their ribs, others wiping blood from their mouths. None of them looked ready for another round.“You’re actually asking us for one hundred thousand… after what you just did?”Maverick nodded calmly. “Yes.”The man’s eyes flickered with clear unease as he glanced at his injured subordinates. For a moment, his hand hovered near his waist, as if considering reaching for a weapon. But after looking at Maverick’s calm expression again, he hesitated.Maverick spoke first. “Don’t waste time arguing with me. Call your boss.”The leader’s eyes widened slightly. “What?”“I know you’re not the one in charge,” Maverick said evenly. “Call whoever is above you. Tell him I want one hundred thousand dollars. If he refuses…” Maverick’s eyes turned cold. “I’ll send your bodies back to him limb by limb.”The leader

Maverick drove through the quiet city with one hand on the steering wheel. The black sedan that once belonged to Alaric moved smoothly under the streetlights.Claire sat beside him, hands folded in her lap, staring out the window. For several minutes neither of them spoke. The only sounds were the soft hum of the engine and the occasional distant siren.Finally she turned slightly toward him, her voice careful and soft.“Where are we going… if you don’t mind me asking?”“Somewhere safe.”She hesitated, still watching him. “Is it my father’s house?”“No.”Claire’s brows drew together gently. “May I ask why not? It’s the only place I know, and at least there I would have some of my things.”Maverick kept his eyes on the road. “Because if Alaric wants you, that would be the first place he looks. I won’t take you somewhere he can walk through the front door.”She lowered her gaze for a moment, then spoke again, quieter this time.“You really think he’ll come after me… after everything tha

Maverick finally returned to the apartment Richard had arranged for them. It was already late. The luxury residence was quiet, filled only by the soft hum of the air-conditioning. The apartment occupied an entire floor, with polished marble floors, expensive furniture, a modern kitchen, and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city.This place would easily cost at least fifty thousand dollars a month to rent. Richard had been of great help.The moment he stepped out of the elevator, his attention locked on the apartment door as the door was open. He stopped as his eyes narrowed down everywhere. He clearly remembered closing it when he left. Something was wrong. He moved toward the door without making a sound, pushed it open slowly, and called out in a low voice, “Claire?”There was no answer. Maverick stepped inside as the lights were on, but the apartment felt strangely quiet. His expression hardened. 'Could someone have found this place already?' He lowered his body into a

The auction hall was already crowded when Maverick and Claire took their seats. The venue was clearly designed for people accustomed to spending millions without hesitation. Crystal chandeliers hung from the high ceiling, casting warm light over rows of dark leather seats facing the stage. Along the walls, glass cases displayed expensive watches, jewelry, paintings, rare antiques, and other collectibles. Waiters moved quietly between the guests while wealthy businessmen and investors spoke in low voices. Maverick casually scanned the room. Several faces immediately caught his attention. He recognized them from his previous life. Near the front sat Nathaniel Sterling, the man who would one day build one of the country’s largest private investment groups. Across the room was Jonathan Reeves, whose logistics company would later secure a massive international contract and multiply in value. At this point in their lives, neither man had reached the heights Maverick remember

Maverick looked around the auction hall. Everyone was watching him.Daniel was still pointing at him, his voice loud enough for the surrounding guests to hear.“There’s no way this man legitimately has eight million dollars. Emily knows his financial situation better than anyone. He was drowning in debt when they were together.”Emily nodded and pulled out her phone. “I’m not lying. Maverick told me everything when we were dating. He had debts he could barely manage. I still have some of the records he showed me back then.”She held the phone out so the people nearest could see the screenshots of old loan statements and account balances. A few guests leaned in to look. One of the auction staff members glanced at the screen as well, then exchanged a brief look with a colleague.Daniel folded his arms. “Now tell me how a man with that financial history suddenly walks into this auction and spends eight million dollars.”A few people began murmuring. One businessman shook his head. “It do