Unmoving like a mountain, attacking like fire!Austin moved with lightning speed.He knew that given his current physical state and situation, he only had one chance to strike. One failure would mean complete disaster!But just as he moved in front of the figure, a familiar face came into view.Austin was shocked.He released the razor floss from his mouth and quickly jerked his right hand to the side.Whoosh!With a sharp whistle, the razor floss retracted into the metal box."Mr. Lockwood?!"Austin exclaimed in disbelief, "I told you to go back!"The sudden scene startled Ezra as well.Taking a deep breath, Ezra suppressed his fear and forced a smile. "How could I leave you, sir?"Austin was taken aback. His nose tingled with emotion, and a warm feeling surged through his heart.Looking past Ezra, he saw a crowd of men in suits.It was the bodyguard team!Every person in sight bore injuries and looked disheveled, their suits now tattered and dirty.A wave of guilt was
Austin gave a melancholic smile, not fully accepting the praise.He couldn't embrace glory built on the sacrifice of lives, it felt shameful to him.Taking a deep breath, Austin looked at Ezra. "How is it at Heavensgate?"Since Ezra had brought all the bodyguards, the hospital situation must have been handled. Now, the focus was on Heavensgate.Compared to the commotion at the hospital, the situation at Heavensgate was much more serious."It's quite tricky, but I've sent people to handle it. The problem should be manageable," Ezra said with a somber expression.His eyes then swept over Austin and caught sight of the assassin's body in the room. His face changed immediately. "Sir, this is...""An assassin. It's taken care of," Austin said calmly. "Clean it up, and also call a doctor to re-dress my wound. Aldus is still in the emergency room.""I understand," Ezra replied, his expression serious.Having Ezra there made things much easier for Austin.Ezra took care of everythi
Boom!Austin felt as if he had been struck by lightning. Seeing the tearful, sorrowful expression on the bodyguard's face made his heart plummet.The room spun, and he felt as if his soul had left his body. Tears welled up in his eyes.Ezra also trembled, his lips quivering and his hands shaking on his knees."So, in the end, it's hopeless?" Austin said sorrowfully, two crystalline tears quietly falling from his eyes.His mind filled with memories of Aldus.From a young age, he had always struggled alone, with no one to help him, except his mother who cared for him.When he finally emerged from the darkness into light, he met Aldus.Although Walter assigned Aldus to protect him, their relationship became one of mentor and friend. It was a bond Austin had rarely experienced.Because he had spent so much time in darkness, he cherished his relationship with Aldus all the more.But now...At that moment, another bodyguard appeared at the door. It was the middle-aged man who had
The lure of money, combined with the heavy losses they suffered, made it almost certain that the escaped Grim Guard Mercenaries would come back for another attempt.These ruthless killers weren't likely to be deterred by last night's battle.When would they strike again? And in what manner?Austin's eyes were deep with thought as he let out a weary sigh."It's getting more and more complicated. From a farmer to a mercenary team, this Shadow Web Syndicate assassination mission is truly bizarre. The only ones who might be laughing now are those idiots from the Emersons."He knew very little about the Shadow Web Syndicate.But he could deduce that a blood-soaked organization hidden in the dark web wouldn't operate openly under the sun.This assassination order was clearly unusual.The most likely explanation was that someone was deliberately orchestrating it. Turning a simple assassination into a bloodthirsty frenzy for violent individualsHis mind was tangled with complex though
Meanwhile, at Tetra Club.With Ezra's arrangements, the club's security level was elevated to the highest. All security measures were activated.Patrol cars roamed inside and outside the club, maintaining a vigilant guard.The number of staff inside the club was significantly reduced, leaving only enough personnel to meet Austin's needs.The Bamboo Parlor became the focal point of security efforts.When Wolf arrived, he led the bodyguard team in thoroughly sweeping the Bamboo Parlor and then set up a multitude of security devices.External security was managed by Tetra Club's bodyguards.However, inside the Bamboo Parlor, per Ezra's insistence, only their trusted personnel were stationed.With multiple layers of protection, Austin's anxiety finally began to ease.Lying on the bed, he at last felt a heavy drowsiness overtaking him.Throughout all this, Timothy did not make an appearance, but Austin wasn't concerned. The situation was extremely sensitive, and it was better for
Considering the relationship between Vincent and Austin, Ezra decided to ask for more details.But how could they help in this situation?The assassination order from the Shadow Web Syndicate was a challenge even for Walter.The Reed family, despite expanding their influence significantly after the fall of the Redmont family and becoming the wealthiest in Basin City, wasn't at a level where they could help with this situation.Austin smiled. "Have the Reed family send people here to join forces with Jacob and Reginald's teams to investigate the entire city. I want to know about everyone who has recently arrived.""What..." Ezra was taken aback, involuntarily sucking in a breath."Sir, this task is nearly impossible.""It's better than doing nothing."Austin shrugged and continued, "Also, have Vincent collaborate with the Clark family and the Cooper family in the capital to monitor the internet. If any new assassination orders regarding me appear, I want them tracked immediately
A new development?Austin's heart sank. Ezra's reaction made it clear that this wasn't good news.Trying to stay calm, Austin asked, "What's the change?"Panting and terrified, Ezra handed Austin his phone with a trembling hand.Just like before, the message was simple and direct. The dark web content was clearly visible.Austin frowned as he found the Shadow Web Syndicate's assassination order on himself.His brows furrowed even more deeply. The content now included an image of a scythe, similar to the one held by the Grim Reaper."What does this scythe mean?" Austin asked, his brow furrowed.Ezra's eyes flickered with fear."This is the Death Scythe, symbolizing the harvesting of lives. In the Shadow Web Syndicate's assassination orders, if a Death Scythe appears, it means that a top assassin from the Death List has taken an interest. Each scythe represents one top-tier assassin from the Death List."Austin's pupils contracted sharply.He suddenly understood why Ezra, usu
If they only knew that a Death List assassin was watching the mission, it would be like waiting in the dark for the Grim Reaper's scythe to fall."Mr. Campbell just told me this news. He's looking into it," Ezra said."It's not too difficult for him to find out, but it will take some time. We should have results soon."Austin raised an eyebrow. "Why didn't he tell me directly?"Ezra sighed. "Mr. Campbell didn't want to add to your stress, so he had me pass on the message. He thought it would be easier this way."Easier?Austin found it somewhat amusing.To him, it made no difference at all.Taking a deep breath, the fear in Austin's eyes suddenly vanished, replaced by a calm, almost serene demeanor."Let's eat."Ezra was momentarily stunned, his pupils contracting in surprise.Austin's composure was shocking.Ezra prided himself on his steady temperament thanks to years of experience and maturity, but even he had been shaken by the news.Austin was the target of this assas
Austin never expected that Nancy would come back.As he returned to the Tetra Club, he remained sullen, his eyes dark with unresolved anger.Seeing Austin like this, Cecily felt a pang of sadness.She gently tried to comfort him, "It's all in the past now, isn't it? I'm here with you, and we have our baby on the way.""I can't just let it go," Austin shook his head."The best I can do is not seek revenge against them, but to truly forgive and forget—I can't do that."The actions of Nancy's family were still fresh in his memory.Austin wasn't someone who sought revenge for every slight, but he was far from the kind of person who could simply forgive and forget, moving on with a carefree "Hallelujah."Dahlia's despair as she lay in bed, the arrogance and cruelty of the Welch family…In the eyes of the Welch family, Dahlia's life wasn't worth as much as Harvey's wedding.Even when the time had passed and he was about to finally be happy with Cecily, the Welch family not only dem
After leaving this city, Nancy put in a tremendous amount of effort to "rebirth" herself.Meeting Ethan had shown her a different side of life.While he wasn't part of the uppermost echelons of wealth and power, he had enough. Most importantly, he treated her with the utmost respect.She understood Ethan's background, which made that respect all the more valuable.A man of his stature could have any woman he wanted in his bed the same night.Yet Ethan had shown her incredible patience, making her question whether the rumors about him were true.Tonight, returning to this city was her way of bidding farewell to the past and embracing the future.After all, people need to look forward, don't they?Meanwhile, Ethan was feeling more dejected than he'd ever been.Lying in his luxurious bed in Brook Villa, he couldn't sleep, tossing and turning restlessly.He had hoped to establish a connection with Austin. A figure like him would be incredibly valuable to have on his side.He tho
The river breeze was cool, and the lights reflected on the water flickered softly.The figure in front of them wore a long black coat, standing quietly by the railing. Her fair, delicate profile, partially obscured by a few strands of windblown hair, carried a hint of melancholy."Sir, Mrs. Campbell, is something wrong?" Aldus noticed the change and quickly stepped forward to inquire."Let's go home," Austin suddenly said, his previously cheerful expression now somber, with a touch of disdain.Go home? They had just arrived.Aldus was surprised and quickly followed Austin's gaze. When he saw what Austin was looking at, he immediately understood.Without a word, he turned to leave with Austin.But a soft hand gently grabbed Austin's arm."It's been so many years, aren't you going to say hello?" Cecily asked."I have no desire to greet her," Austin said, his disdain clear and unhidden.Three years of marriage, filled with nothing but pain.Even when Dahlia was gravely ill, Nan
After a busy day, just as Austin was about to finish up, a new invitation appeared on his desk."Who delivered this?" Austin asked."Ethan," Wolf replied.Austin chuckled, didn't bother opening the invitation, and instead tossed it directly into the trash."I've got to get home to Cecily."When he returned to the Bamboo Parlor at Tetra Club, Raquel had already prepared a delicious dinner.The dishes were beautifully presented, with vibrant colors and enticing aromas.After dinner, Austin and Ezra stepped out into the courtyard."Mr. Lockwood, any news from the Campbells about my dad?" Austin asked, the text message from Walter still weighing heavily on his mind.Considering the Campbells' efforts to find Walter, and given their intelligence resources, they should have been some leads by now.But Ezra shook his head. "Nothing, Not a trace.""The Campbells' intelligence network has never been this weak, has it?" Austin frowned, speaking in a low tone.Ezra gave a wry smile. "
"Childhood?"Austin stopped his workout, wiped the sweat from his face, and smiled bitterly.His childhood had been bleak.Only Dahlia had brought some light into the darkness.Seeing Austin's pained smile, Aldus immediately realized his mistake.He quickly apologized, "I'm sorry, Sir. I spoke without thinking. You don't need to answer that.""It's fine," Austin replied, gesturing towards a nearby bench, and inviting Aldus to sit with him.Once they were seated, Austin slowly began to speak. "There's not much to tell about my childhood. It was mostly just being called an 'illegitimate child' and living day to day, never knowing where my next meal would come from."If it weren't for my mom fighting tooth and nail to raise me, I'd probably be dead by now."With just a few simple words, he conveyed a world of suffering.Aldus felt a wave of guilt. He had only been trying to find clues from Austin's past that might explain his exceptional combat instincts and incredible physical
Austin's gaze softened as warmth flooded his heart.Who hasn't longed for a light left on just for them in a sea of lights? But in reality, how many actually have that?Cecily did that for him.Given her background, the fact that she went to such lengths truly surprised Austin.In the three years he spent in the past, he had never experienced something like this.His nose tingled with emotion as he pulled Cecily into his arms, speaking softly, "Thank you. Marrying you is the greatest fortune of my life.""Alright, alright, I asked Raquel to prepare breakfast earlier this morning. You go to the dining room, and I'll have her bring it over," Cecily said as she gently slipped out of Austin's embrace, her graceful smile lighting up her eyes."Doesn't Bamboo Parlor have a kitchen?" Austin asked, curious.Cecily gave him a playful look. "The chairs in the living room are so hard, and you spent the whole night on one—how could you have slept well? If Raquel had been clattering around
The room fell into a heavy silence."Deactivating the phone number… was Dad trying to prevent me from tracking his location?" Austin murmured with a frown.Ezra pondered for a moment, his voice low and serious. "Perhaps he was more concerned about someone else tracking him."Austin's eyes widened in realization.Of course—if Walter could send him a message to let him know he was safe, he wouldn't be worried about Austin tracking himDeactivating the phone was likely to prevent others from tracing his location."But who is he trying to avoid?"Ezra shook his head, remaining silent.Having followed Walter for many years, he knew the man's temperament and habits. But this time, he was truly baffled.He couldn't even begin to piece together a clue.Taking a deep breath, Ezra forced a bitter smile. "I'm afraid I'm at a loss this time, sir. There's no sign of anything unusual from the Campbells either."This statement only deepened Austin's confusion.If there were anyone who cou
Austin knocked softly on the door.Almost immediately, he heard the sound of shuffling from inside.Ezra opened the door, his face full of curiosity. "Sir, what's going on?"Austin quickly made a shushing gesture, worried about disturbing Cecily.Then he gently pushed Ezra back into the room."Sorry to bother you so late, Mr. Lockwood," Austin said.Ezra smiled. "It's no trouble at all. The older you get, the less you need. I was just reading."Austin glanced at the book on Ezra's bedside table and couldn't help but feel a bit exasperated.This old rascal!Ezra blushed and quickly shoved the book under his pillow.Austin sat on the bed and pulled up the text message from Walter, showing it to Ezra."I just received this message."When Ezra read the text, his eyes lit up with a sharp gleam, and he was overjoyed. "This is from Mr. Walter!"Austin nodded, his expression serious. "But I've sent several messages back, and there's been no reply. I called twice—once it was immedi
"The underground king of Eastbrook bows down."This news swept through Eastbrook like a storm.Ethan knew that by doing this, he would become the laughingstock of the entire city. But he also knew he had no choice—he had to do it!Even if he became a joke, he would remain the underground king. But if he refused to lower his head, he would end up a dead man.He understood the situation perfectly.In fact, that very night, a message was released from Brook Villa.No one is to compete for the land!This is a clear warning to all real estate companies in Eastbrook. It was also a gesture of goodwill toward Austin.But Austin didn't pay it much mind.If not for Derrick's involvement, he had no idea how Ethan would have responded—but Austin knew his response would have been much tougher.A mere city's underground king? He didn't even compare to the richest man in Basin City or the capital—he wasn't even worthy of carrying their shoes!After leaving Brook Villa, Austin didn't linger