Humbert Bale was a classic enthusiast, from music, watches, clothes to his torture tools. He was a 41-year-old man with no family. Paul had gathered some information on him.We walked through a dark hallway towards a large room lit only by a lamp in the center. I think we were in a warehouse this time. He had prepared a chair for me, and a table of neatly arranged tools stood not far from it.Humbert walked in front of me humming a classical tune, his large body slowing his steps. They tied me to the chair and pulled my hair up to make me look up. Humbert smiled widely like a kid ready to open his present.I tried to wipe all expression off my face, thinking that the woman would be here in 17 hours. At least this time, I had to get her name.Humbert pointed to his collection of tools on the table, his hands moving to decide which one to use first.I knew this sick man's favorite instrument, he liked his extractor. It was a tang-shaped tool made of stainless steel, used of course, to p
Humbert Bale ordered his two henchmen to guard the door.He quickly took off his plastic coat and pulled out his phone, walking away from me towards another door muttering angrily.I tried to pull at my restraints with my still weak hands, unsure who could be coming at this moment as Paul was only supposed to realise I was missing tomorrow morning.Two gunshots echoed through the door followed by a cry of pain. Damn it. With a queasy stomach and weakened body, I pulled at my binds.My focus was on the door opposite me.Waiting for whoever would emerge from behind it.Black smoke slowly seeped through the cracks in the door, likely from the fire outside. My heart raced faster as the handle turned. A silhouette entered the warehouse along with the thick smoke.Of course, from the feminine silhouette, I could already guess who it was. I couldn't help the corners of my mouth from tugging upwards as she stepped in and paused, our eyes locking in a stare.She tilted her pretty face slightly
Chapter 97: Crossfire"What's wrong?" I asked as I turned my body towards her.With a pained expression, she looked at me icily. Her right hand still held her gun, while her left hand was pressed against her shoulder. Blood oozed out from between her fingers.She swore under her breath and took a step forward. My hand pressed against her back, helping her to lean against the wall. "We have to go to the hospital," I said as I pulled her past the door.She took a deep breath and winced in pain. "I can handle it. Your car's out front-""We need to go to the hospital," I repeated, leading her through the dark hallway."No hospital." Her accent was clear and followed by irritation.I understood. She couldn't go to the hospital. Maybe, she was afraid her identity would be in the hospital database which could attract the police's attention. I didn't know this woman, but she could be an international assassin or a criminal. I nodded my head and said, "I know a surgeon. We don't have to go to t
I took a deep breath to steady myself, then stepped out of the bathtub to grab some bandages from the cabinet.Looking at my reflection in the mirror, I saw that blood had soaked nearly the entire white shirt on my hands. Even a few drops on my face were visible.I looked like Dexter, freshly mutilated a victim.I grabbed two boxes of bandages and adhesive tape, as well as a new pair of scissors, and headed back to her. Alice still hadn't opened her eyes.A sense of panic crept over me. Could she have bled to death?Kneeling beside her, I opened the bandages. I took a towel that was slightly stained with blood from her shoulder and was shocked when I looked at it. The wound on her shoulder was already closed.I blinked a few times, but I couldn't see the wound gaping anymore. There was only a slight wound that didn't look like a gunshot wound at all. I stared at it for a minute, hoping it would suddenly open again.Did Humbert hit me in the head earlier?Why was I only focused on gett
"So, where do I need to drop you off?" I asked as Alice was busy strapping her katana belt on her shoulder.Alice glanced at me for a moment, this time she smiled, a genuine smile at me. For a moment, I couldn't take my eyes off her face. Alice turned around and walked towards the basement exit door. I blinked, looking at her back as she walked away, "Alice, wait-"I walked out of my car while cursing as Alice walked faster."Alice!"But she didn't stop or even look back. I ran after her while she disappeared from behind the basement exit door. The sound of cars and honking greeted me on the street. But she was gone. There were only a few pedestrians, and none of them carried a samurai sword on their back. I stood there for five full minutes looking at the entire street around my apartment, but she disappeared into thin air.I smiled to myself and walked back into the basement. At least this time I knew her name.***For a week, the Crossfire Tracking Device had kept me busy with its f
Two full days...For forty-eight hours, I tried to find out and track his whereabouts. But there wasn't a single clue leading to him. I had checked everything related to him, even asking for Dean's help to track him. After finding the initials left in his encryption program, I decided to postpone the first CTD launch for a week.Tonight is the Crossfire Inc. charity night. An annual event held to raise charitable funds that will later be distributed to various charity organizations owned by Crossfire Inc.As the CEO, I have to attend it with Mr. Oswealth, who is the organizer. This is the only upscale social event that I regularly attend.Or rather, I am obliged to attend.I don't mind events like this, except for the first two hours. Socializing with the upper class is not my favorite job. Their conversations always revolve around money, sports cars, botox, gossip, and other things that almost make me think that spending time with Humbert Bale would be better."Mr. Lancaster!" a scree
Returning with two glasses of champagne, one for myself and one for Alice of course, I noticed Nicholas Shaw was no longer in his previous spot. Only Alice remained, glancing at me faintly. She took a glass from my hand and drank as we engaged in conversation.“Your name isn’t Alice?” I mumbled.Her eyebrows lifted slightly. “Not really important, is it?”For me, I thought before sipping my own glass, it was. "My name is Anya, but it’s just a pseudonym." She sipped her champagne again, looking a bit different."Different from usual? Not sitting and full of bruises?”She chuckled, making me slightly surprised. I didn’t know she could laugh. “You’re different as well,” I mumbled.Right as she was about to open her mouth to reply, a loud clink caught both of our attention. Reluctantly, I shifted my gaze away from her, following her line of sight. A butler stood on a small podium, announcing that dinner would begin shortly.I glanced back at Alice. "You can join me at my table," I offered.
"Did you get it?"This morning, I visited Paul and Dean's office. After last night, I realized that I still had no information about Alice. None at all.I didn't have a chance to ask her directly last night, or rather, I don't remember. Like most men, my brain stops working when I'm near a beautiful woman. Plus, I doubt she would answer my question. So, I hoped that Dean would get some information about her.Dean yawned in his seat, while Paul hadn't arrived yet. It was still 7 in the morning."No, the bug isn't harmful," he replied while yawning again. Sometimes, I think Dean lives in the office, and I think my guess is right."I need information about the owner, I don't care about the bug," I replied, leaning against the door."Well, you know getting it won't be easy, Lancaster," he replied sarcastically. I could clearly see the bags under his eyes."Rest, Dean. You need it," I muttered before leaving his office.I tried to focus all my attention on the Crossfire Tracking Device pro