Greg gazed at him steadily for a moment, then suddenly curled the corner of his lips, his tone playful. "The same thing."Dean immediately bristled, his patience snapping as he raised his voice. "How many times has it been? Still coming back to this?"Greg feigned a pout, looking almost innocent. "Alright... then can I at least kiss you?"Dean glared at him, his face flushing red, but he didn’t outright refuse. Instead, he turned his head away with a cold snort.Seeing this, a glint of mischief flashed in Greg’s eyes. He didn’t close the distance right away but kept just enough space between them, his voice soft and teasing. "I knew it—you still like it."Greg leaned in slowly, his palm gently caressing Dean’s cheek, the warmth of his fingertips carrying a comforting heat. His movements were so tender, it felt almost like he was soothing a startled animal. Yet, his gaze was intense and burning, so deep it was almost impossible to meet without feeling overwhelmed."So beautiful," Greg
Chen followed closely behind, leaning down to place a kiss on Dean’s left cheek, a mischievous smile tugging at his lips. "Wait for me, don’t run off."Finally, Shawn approached, gently smoothing Dean’s hair before placing a kiss on his right cheek. His voice was soft and reassuring. "Don’t worry, we won’t let you face this alone."Dean watched the three of them leave, his mind a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. He had thought his confession would make them back off, but now it seemed they were even more determined than he’d imagined. And Melvin’s presence only added to his confusion."What are you all thinking..." Dean murmured under his breath, his voice so soft it was almost lost in the air.He sat there, still caught in the aftershocks of the moments just passed, when Melvin’s voice broke through, snapping him back to the present.“Quite the lucky guy, aren’t you?” Melvin remarked, his voice tinged with a playful edge.Dean shot him a glare, his tone carrying a hint of frustrati
Dean stepped out of the room, his gaze settling on the sofa in the center of the living room. Greg was lounging casually against the back of the couch, his eyes calm but sharp, holding a glass of red wine that he gently swirled. Melvin sat next to him, cradling a cup of coffee, his face wearing a faintly amused expression. On the other side of the room, Damon, Chen, and Shawn sat around the bar, sipping drinks and speaking in low tones to each other.Dean scanned the scene before walking toward Greg, his curiosity getting the better of him. "So, are you all done talking?" he asked.At the sound of his voice, Greg raised an eyebrow and deliberately answered in a loud tone, "Not yet. Some people are too petty, unwilling to wait." His words sparked a response from the group by the bar.Damon took a sip of whiskey, setting the glass down with a clink before retorting with equal sharpness, "You wait for me, I wait for you. That’s only fair."Chen jumped in, a teasing note in his voice, "Gu
On the other hand, Damon and Chen, seasoned leaders in the underworld, each employed powerful tactics to cut off the Shark Gang’s resource supply from the outside, causing their economic network to collapse rapidly.Greg, using his fearsome status as the heir apparent of the Golden Eagle Gang, began to mobilize his forces, secretly providing additional leverage for even more devastating blows. As the pressure mounted, Ben was gradually cornered, his authority crumbling under both internal and external attacks, inching toward total collapse.All of this unfolded silently, without drawing the attention of the police or the outside world. Shawn deliberately remained neutral, refusing to intervene in any Shark Gang matters or take any calls from them, focusing all his attention on protecting Dean instead.Although Dean sensed the tension beneath the surface, he couldn’t truly get involved. He tried to offer his help, but each time his suggestions were ruthlessly rejected. The mafia bosses
Dean gave a wry smile. “We’ve talked about it. They all said they were willing to be the third wheel. Turning perfectly normal people into third wheels—that’s just not right, is it?”Tara couldn’t help but chuckle. “I just asked them too, and they all said there’s no way they’d let you go. They’re crazy about you.”Dean rubbed his forehead helplessly. “So what do you think I should do? And don’t even think about pulling a Linda with that whole ‘no advice’ line.”Tara pondered for a moment. “If you want my reckless advice—choose them all. If you want the rational answer—pick one and resolve the conflict. But, Dean, nobody said feelings must always follow rationale or recklessness. Whether they should or not… that’s something only you can decide.”Dean fell into deep thought. He knew, in the end, the decision rested solely in his hands.After dinner, instead of dispersing, the group stayed to watch a movie together. Later, Dean took the two ladies and Leo on a shopping trip. The others,
Dean drew in a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down, his pulse hammering in his ears. But just as he began to steady himself, Linda’s next message hit him like a bolt of lightning."Those thugs mentioned something unexpected: they suspect that Benjamin isn’t the real mastermind. There’s someone even higher pulling the strings."Dean’s eyes widened, his heart skipping a beat. His fingers moved instinctively, dialing Linda’s number. The phone barely rang once before she answered."Linda," Dean said, his voice tense with urgency. "What do you mean? What else did they say?"There was a pause on the other end, followed by Linda’s cautious, weary voice. "They claimed that when they saw your parents’ bodies… there were two other people at the scene."Dean clenched the phone tighter. "Who?""One of them," Linda continued slowly, "was a tall, muscular man. The other… was a young woman. She looked surprisingly formal—dressed in a sharp, tailored outfit. They didn’t recognize her, but she s
Shawn lifted his eyes, a faint, enigmatic smile playing on his lips. Just as he was about to speak, a sudden commotion erupted from downstairs. The noise came from the main hall—a deep and chaotic rumble, like a stone breaking the calm surface of a lake.The atmosphere in the room shifted instantly. Shawn placed his glass on the table and rose to his feet. "Looks like the show’s about to begin."Damon and Chen stood as well, and together they moved toward the railing of the VIP lounge, gazing down at the scene below. Dean was caught in the middle of the group, flanked by the twins on either side, with Shawn standing close behind him. The space felt tight, but Dean’s focus quickly shifted to the unfolding drama below.In the center of the vast hall, two blindfolded figures were dragged in, their hands and feet bound. They staggered under the harsh lights, their movements clumsy and pitiful.Dean’s eyes locked onto them, watching intently. The captives were forced to their knees in the
Dean froze for a moment, then gave a small nod, though a deeper storm raged in his heart. He couldn’t deny it—Greg was terrifyingly formidable. His every movement exuded authority, and with just a few words, he could break a person’s will completely. Watching him, Dean couldn’t help but sigh inwardly. This heir to the underworld was far from ordinary—he was a born predator.The tension in the hall thickened like smoke, suffocating and inescapable. Greg’s voice, calm yet commanding, cut through the heavy silence. Sitting with one leg crossed over the other, he looked every bit like a judge presiding over a grim trial. His words carried an air of finality."That’s enough for now," he declared, eyes sweeping over the room. "Now, let’s move on… to the matter of my Aunty Jane."The moment he spoke her name, a chill ran through the room like an icy draft. Ben, still writhing on the floor, weakly lifted his head, his voice barely a croak. "W-What…?"Greg’s gaze dropped lazily to Ben, but his
He spoke leisurely, but his tone showed a trace of helplessness. “She even told me to stay away from you. Said a kid like you had no business getting tangled up with people like us… that you'd only end up getting hurt.”Dean fell silent. He could understand Greg’s mother’s concerns—the Golden Eagle Gang’s reputation was well-known. And back then, he had been just an ordinary student… a little crybaby, even.But then Greg’s tone shifted, tinged with pride. “I proved to her that you weren’t a coward, just someone who knew how to endure. Only then did she agree to help me and speak to that old man. And after that… well, the old man took care of the problem.”So that was it. Everything finally clicked into place.Dean finally found his voice, though there was still disbelief in it. “How did you prove it?”Greg chuckled softly. There was an unmistakable laziness in his voice as he drawled, “I had my guys pretend to go after your family. And you rushed out to protect them. That doesn’t exac
Dean was momentarily stunned, then let out a sigh and smiled. “You truly do know a lot.”Robert lazily waved a hand, his tone carrying a hint of indifference. “Go get some rest…”Dean nodded, stood up, and headed for the door. Just as he reached it, he turned back to glance at Robert, a mix of emotions flickering in his gaze. “Uncle Robert, see you later.”Robert watched his retreating figure, the corners of his lips curling slightly. There was a barely perceptible trace of admiration in his eyes. ‘What a good kid.’Just as Dean was about to step out, Robert suddenly spoke. “By the door, on the left-hand shelf, second tier, second from the right—those antique gold-rimmed cups. Take them. They’re yours.”Dean froze mid-step, turning back in surprise. “I can’t possibly accept that!”Robert’s expression remained unchanged, his tone calm yet carrying an undeniable authority. “Take them. No refusals.”Dean opened his mouth, wanting to protest, but in the end, he simply walked over to the s
Dean furrowed his brow, a sense of unease creeping up his spine. Something in Robert’s words hinted at layers beneath the surface, as though there were truths left unspoken. His fingers tightened slightly as if trying to steady the flutter of uncertainty in his chest. “Like what? How much do you know? How… how far back does it go?”Robert’s gaze remained steady and sharp as he slowly uttered a name. “I know about what happened between you and Benjamin Winston. Does that answer your question?”The air seemed to freeze at that moment. Dean’s usually composed expression cracked, a flicker of shock flashing across his face. His throat tightened, his pupils narrowing slightly. Almost instinctively, he took a small step back, his lips trembling. “You… how could you know?”Robert’s gaze didn’t waver. He still held that unsettling calm, the air around him thick with a sense of unspoken power. But his voice carried a subtle pressure. “Do you know why that bastard stopped?”Dean’s breath caught
"If we’re going to look into this, someone has to talk to him." Dean’s expression remained calm, but his eyes were unwavering. "I’ll be careful."Greg stared at Dean long before muttering, "Don't trust that old man too easily."Dean gave a nod and then set off on the final stretch of the path leading to the villa. He hadn’t expected anything particularly unusual—until he emerged onto an open clearing and saw a private helicopter approaching. He froze for a few seconds. Good thing he wasn’t afraid of heights, or else he would never have a chance to meet the old man.The helicopter carried him up to the mountaintop, where a team of impeccably trained attendants awaited him. They said nothing, merely bowed with perfect composure and led him forward.It wasn’t until he stepped inside the legendary villa that he truly grasped the scale of its opulence.The corridor alone was dazzling—gilded and magnificent, lined with a carpet so thick and plush that each step felt as if it might swallow h
Greg’s gaze drifted from Chen and Damon back to Ben, his eyes narrowing slightly, a calculating glint hidden beneath his casual demeanor.Ben’s eyes gleamed with a mix of defiance and challenge, a hint of resentment flickering beneath his arrogant demeanor. He lifted his chin slightly, his face radiating pride. “Well, young master, I have now proved I’m not the mastermind behind all this.”Shawn’s footsteps approached from a distance, calm and measured as ever. His voice carried a cool tone. “Maybe not for those two matters, but I have something else here.” He walked steadily toward them, his hand gently resting on Dean’s, each step was deliberate, though the weight of the situation seemed to hang heavily in the air.Greg offered a faint smile, his voice laced with a cold undertone. “Your interrogations never seem to stop, do they? You’ve certainly left a trail of misdeeds.” He glanced briefly at Ben, his eyes devoid of pity. “But do you think you can escape this?”Ben’s expression sh
Damon gave a slight nod, his expression unreadable, his eyes dark and impenetrable, as they could see straight into Ben’s soul. "That’s right. Now… how about you hand over that little thing you’ve got?" He turned to Greg."This?" Greg glanced at the gun in his hand, hesitation flashing in his eyes. After a tense pause, he forced a grin. "Alright… but don’t touch him there. Leave that part for me."Damon’s eyes gleamed with a cold smile, his voice chillingly casual. "Fine. Then I’ll cripple him first."Ben’s heart sank like a stone, his pulse racing as if his blood were flowing in reverse. He drew a deep breath, forcing himself to stay calm. "Gentlemen… can’t we talk this through?"Damon’s lips curled into a sharp, almost cruel smile, his eyes filled with disdain. "Sure. I’ll give you one chance to speak properly. Waste it… and there’s nothing I can do to help you." His tone was light, almost indifferent, but it carried an unmistakable weight that crushed the air out of the room.Ben’s
Greg’s uncle caught a glimpse of the simmering intent to kill in Greg’s eyes and finally broke down. His voice trembled uncontrollably, each word drenched in panic. "Young master! It was him! He told me to do it! Please, young master, just grant me a swift end!"Greg turned his head slightly, throwing a glance at his uncle. A cold, humorless chuckle escaped his lips. "Alright. Since you are being so sincere, I’ll deal with him first."He raised his hand, pointing the gun directly at Ben’s most vulnerable spot. The barrel loomed close—too close. Ben stared at it in wide-eyed terror, the last threads of his composure snapping. He collapsed into desperate sobs. "No! Please, no! Young master!""Fair is fair. He’s already been dealt with down there. Now, it’s your turn."Ben broke completely, his voice cracking with raw fear and anguish. "I’ll talk! I’ll tell you everything! I’m not the mastermind! Neither is your uncle! We’re just pawns! He takes orders from me, and I… I follow the orders
Greg’s eyes narrowed as he shifted his gaze toward the man, his expression colder than ice. His voice was calm but laced with lethal intent. “Go on. Keep talking.”The man’s lips quivered before he finally broke down and spoke. “It was me… I waited until she fell asleep, then lit the charcoal to make it look like a suicide…”A heavy silence fell over the hall, suffocating and absolute. For a brief moment, it seemed the truth had finally surfaced—until the man suddenly raised a trembling hand and pointed in another direction. “But it wasn’t my idea! He made me do it! He’s the mastermind!”All eyes followed his finger and landed on Benjamin Winston.Ben, clutching his ribs in pain, still forced himself to stand tall, his voice rising defiantly. “Nonsense! You can’t just spout accusations like that! You can twist the story all you want, but don’t think I’ll sit here and take it!”Greg sneered, his voice dripping with contempt. “Oh, you’re one to talk. Since when have you ever told the tr
Dean froze for a moment, then gave a small nod, though a deeper storm raged in his heart. He couldn’t deny it—Greg was terrifyingly formidable. His every movement exuded authority, and with just a few words, he could break a person’s will completely. Watching him, Dean couldn’t help but sigh inwardly. This heir to the underworld was far from ordinary—he was a born predator.The tension in the hall thickened like smoke, suffocating and inescapable. Greg’s voice, calm yet commanding, cut through the heavy silence. Sitting with one leg crossed over the other, he looked every bit like a judge presiding over a grim trial. His words carried an air of finality."That’s enough for now," he declared, eyes sweeping over the room. "Now, let’s move on… to the matter of my Aunty Jane."The moment he spoke her name, a chill ran through the room like an icy draft. Ben, still writhing on the floor, weakly lifted his head, his voice barely a croak. "W-What…?"Greg’s gaze dropped lazily to Ben, but his