Tara calmly added, "It could also be that... he couldn’t escape."Linda let out a soft sigh, her tone growing more complicated. "If that were the case, it would’ve made headlines, right? 'Gang leader hacked to pieces'—that kind of headline would definitely grab attention."Dean didn’t respond. He simply furrowed his brow, muttering under his breath, "But why... why would this happen?"After a few more moments of light-hearted banter, the call ended. Though Linda and Tara's analysis had answered some of his questions, it had only raised even more.Once the call was over, Dean sat back in his chair, staring at the sketch of the scars as if through them he could uncover the secrets buried deep within Chen’s heart. His curiosity was piqued to the extreme. This time, he vowed, he would get to the bottom of it, no matter what it took.After a moment of deep thought, Dean finally came up with the one person who was most likely to know the answer—the butler.He wasted no time and went straigh
Dean clicked open the most recent reports and quickly skimmed through them. With the reading skills he’d honed during his time at the law firm, he could easily understand the doctor's notes and advice. The latest reports indicated that Chen's physical condition was generally good, with no major abnormalities. However, Dean's gaze quickly shifted from these new reports to the older ones. He began scrolling through the records from 10 to 15 years ago.He had expected it to take some time to sift through the files, but when he reached the records from 12 years ago, the frequency of the checkups immediately caught his attention. At the age of 18, Chen had nearly weekly checkups! This aligned perfectly with the timeline the butler had provided. Dean’s heart began to race; he felt as though he was getting closer to the truth.He opened the earliest physical report from Chen's 18th year, and the content of the report shocked him. It detailed Chen’s injuries: multiple stab and slash wounds, w
Dean's heart skipped a beat, and his body leaned slightly forward as he cautiously asked, "So these were what the Dragon Gang people told you?"Leo shrugged nonchalantly, his eyes gleaming with a touch of mischief. "It wasn't them telling me directly. It was their members discussing it in front of me. I was just a kid sitting there, unnoticed, and I heard every word loud and clear."Dean took a deep breath. "Isn't there any other version of the story?"Leo's expression suddenly shifted, his demeanor becoming more alert, and his voice raised slightly. "Dean, you really are playing with fire here! Do you have any idea how dangerous these questions are?"But Dean's tone remained resolute. "It's not that I want to play with fire; I just want to get to the bottom of the truth."Leo's brows furrowed slightly, a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth. "You’ve never been involved in this business. Why do you want to know the truth? Me, on the other hand, it's different—I’m a full-fledged m
Listening intently to Chen’s account, Dean began to realize that the attacker’s background was anything but ordinary. Chen hadn’t named anyone explicitly but had dropped enough hints for a picture to form—this assailant moved with an agility and precision that stood out, their style of execution markedly different from the rough, straightforward tactics typical of the Cobra Gang. What’s more, the presence of someone so seemingly calculated and skilled in this setting felt jarringly out of place, almost as if an external force had quietly intervened.Though still a rookie in the underworld, Dean had developed enough instincts to sense when something didn’t add up—and if he could see it, so could Damon, a seasoned boss in the underworld. Dean had expected Damon to brush it off, to defend his gang’s reputation with a typical show of bravado, dismissing the incident as inconsequential. To his surprise, Damon didn’t react that way.Instead, after a moment of heavy silence, Damon spoke deli
Dean froze for a moment, caught off guard by the suggestion. His hesitation was clear, his gaze flickering between Chen and the problem at hand. Yet, as he assessed the height, he had to admit the idea made sense. With a resigned sigh, Dean carefully perched himself on Chen’s lap, feeling a flicker of self-consciousness.As he settled, Chen’s hands instinctively rested at Dean’s waist, holding him lightly to ensure he didn’t lose balance. The gesture was subtle but steady, and for a brief moment, the air between them grew unusually quiet, charged with a tension neither was willing to name.Surprisingly, Dean didn’t seem the least bit fazed by their proximity. Instead, he quickly immersed himself in his “task,” holding the razor with a careful precision that suggested an almost personal familiarity. His movements were gentle but meticulous as if tending to his own face. The sheer concentration on Dean’s face caught Chen off guard, leaving him momentarily entranced. Especially when Dean
Chen’s kiss seemed to hold a kind of magic, one that gradually made Dean lose himself, allowing him to let go of every ounce of resistance. His eyes fluttered shut, his pulse quickened, and his mind grew hazy. All that remained was the feeling of being drawn closer, of surrendering to the overwhelming intimacy they shared.At that very moment, a faint sound came from outside the door, but neither of them noticed. Neither did they realize that the bathroom door left slightly ajar, had slowly begun to creak open.It wasn’t until Dean suddenly felt a rush of cold air that his eyes snapped open, his face instantly flushing with a deep crimson. Just moments before, he had completely forgotten his surroundings, lost entirely in the heat of the kiss with Chen. Now, the reality of the situation hit him like a cold wave, and embarrassment washed over him as his mind scrambled to process what had just happened.At the doorway stood Leo, his eyes wide with shock as he stared blankly at the two o
Dean froze momentarily, his emotions a storm of anger and confusion. He turned to Leo, his gaze sharp and piercing. “What are you talking about? And what do you mean by ‘them’? Even if it’s a man, it should be him—not ‘them.’”The words slipped out before he fully realized the intensity behind them, but in that very outburst, he recognized something deeper within himself—a truth he hadn’t fully acknowledged before. The sharpness of his own voice was a revelation, one that spoke louder than any carefully measured response. It was as if the weight of his feelings had suddenly been brought to the surface, unfiltered and undeniable.Leo chuckled softly, his eyes glinting with playful mischief. “So, who are you going to pick?” His tone was calm, but there was an undeniable air of casual provocation.Dean opened his mouth to respond, but no words came out. The question hung in the air, and he realized he had no answer. His thoughts were a tangled mess, and his emotions swirled too chaotical
Dean felt a sudden storm of conflicting emotions well up inside him. Damon’s suspicions weren’t entirely unfounded, and Dean was aware of that. Yet, he wasn’t ready to lay his cards on the table just yet. There was too much at stake, and perhaps, too much pride to surrender so easily.Dean took a deep breath, his gaze gradually firming up. “I don’t distrust anyone, nor do I completely trust anyone. But I trust the truth. That’s why I came to you—for help in finding it.” His words came out without hesitation, yet they carried a faint trace of unease, a subtle vulnerability. Deep down, even Dean wasn’t entirely sure of the full shape of the truth. All he could hope was that Damon would grasp this nuance.But Damon wasn’t so easily placated. His expression sharpened, his gaze cutting through Dean’s carefully chosen words. “Your reaction this morning didn’t quite say that,” he said, his tone lightly tinged with irony but still composed, calculated.Dean’s chest tightened, his pulse quicke
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