I clenched my fists, my heart swirling with complex emotions. The identity of that boy was becoming increasingly clear; I was nearly certain he was the person I had been searching for. Yet even so, his pain and experiences weighed heavily on me, filling me with guilt and sorrow. The suffering he endured was far beyond anything I could have imagined.I looked at Nick and asked, “Do you have any idea who might have paid off your debts? Was it the Yimo family? If so, why would they help you?” My tone was tinged with urgency, eager to uncover any leads on the whereabouts of that boy.Nick frowned slightly, lowering his head as if lost in thought. “I didn’t know it was the Yimo family at first,” he said, his voice laced with weariness and resignation. “But later I heard that the boy was sold, and the money went to pay off our debts. Peter helped me investigate, and that’s when I found out it was the Yimo family.”“Sold?” Peter's voice suddenly rose, filled with shock and anger, disbelief e
Harry couldn't help but be surprised. “That fast? It hasn’t even been fifteen minutes!”Peter shrugged, a slight smile playing on his lips. “Just efficient.”Harry raised an eyebrow, a teasing tone creeping into his voice. “Is that true in other areas too?”Peter immediately jumped in, glancing over at Nick with a mischievous smile. “Well, you’ll have to ask him to find out just how fast I really am.” His words dripped with innuendo, clearly teasing Nick.At that, Nick’s previously resolute gaze faltered, his defenses crumbling in an instant as his face flushed bright red. He widened his eyes at Peter, a mix of embarrassment and anger flashing across his features. “You guys are shameless!” he exclaimed.Seeing Nick's flushed face, I couldn’t help but feel a pang of sympathy. I quickly reassured him, “It’s okay; I’ll help you teach them a lesson.” With that, I grabbed a pillow from the sofa and hurled it toward Peter with all my might. Peter reacted quickly, dodging my “attack” with ea
At that moment, a soft knock at the door interrupted my thoughts. To my surprise, the visitor was Ethan, and I felt a mix of shock and unease. As I opened the door, the man before me was no longer the precocious figure I remembered. Time had etched deep lines on his face, and the cost of the resurrection ritual had transformed him into a frail, elderly man of seventy. In that instant, my heart ached for him, filled with a profound sense of regret.Ethan gave a faint smile, as if he could read my feelings. “I knew you wouldn’t be asleep yet, so I came over without asking,” he said, his voice hoarse but still carrying that characteristic calmness. Though time had stripped him of his youthful appearance, his keen insight into others remained unchanged.“It's fine; you guessed correctly,” I replied, forcing a smile to suppress my unease. “I was just reviewing some documents and brainstorming our next steps.”“Why don’t you let me lend you hand?” Ethan suggested casually. But I knew that h
We had come this far, successfully getting close to Ken Yimo, and the goal was within reach. Yet the true challenge was only just beginning. Ken Yimo was a man of complexity and mystery. His artist-like aura, combined with a calm, composed demeanor, exuded both danger and irresistible charm. He wielded control over information and power, and any reckless move on our part could expose us. Therefore, the plan to find the kid must be meticulously crafted, with no room for error.This time, in addition to Ethan, our seasoned strategist, Harry brought in a new ally—Lisa. Sharp-minded and perceptive, she was the perfect fit to serve as our "second strategist." Her contributions in the group chat had proven to be indispensable. At this moment, the five of us were working in close coordination, each playing a crucial role like interconnected gears, seamlessly driving the plan forward. Every minute, new messages popped up on the screen, and under this intense atmosphere, the group chat had bec
“Alright, come on, hurry up.” As expected, Peter’s response was filled with urgency, making me chuckle. I stared at his message, smiling as I pictured him furrowing his brow, anxiously waiting. This mix of emotions and tension was a constant reminder of the stakes at hand, urging us to tread carefully with every step we took.I composed myself, suppressing the smile, and got back to the matter at hand. “So, how do we ensure that Ken Yimo and Derrick Kwok won’t pose any trouble for Nick?” This was the biggest challenge we faced at the moment. Nick was crucial to us, but his current situation was extremely precarious; any wrong decision could plunge him into the abyss.Harry appeared especially calm at that moment, always able to offer sound advice when it mattered most. “We need to get Derrick Kwok on our side; if that’s not possible, he must at least act as a neutral intermediary. We cannot afford for him to be against us.” His words struck a chord with me. Derrick Kwok’s stance was u
Her approach was pragmatic, favoring caution over haste. Ken Yimo was a cunning adversary, and any rash actions would only alert him prematurely. Lisa's suggestion offered us a chance to infiltrate Ken's inner circle while leaving room for future maneuvers. I pondered for a moment, realizing this strategy was indeed viable.Ethan quickly voiced his agreement, typing, "Lisa is absolutely right. We can't rush this. If anything goes wrong with the plan, everything we've worked for could be lost." Ethan had a knack for seeing things from a broader perspective, and his words reminded us to stay level-headed. This mission involved many lives—one wrong move could lead to a cascade of failures. We couldn’t afford to let impatience ruin the entire operation.Harry nodded and replied, "Makes sense, let's take it one step at a time." He was a cautious individual, well aware that taking unnecessary risks would only lead to complications. His stance was clear—he wasn’t in a rush for quick success
I quickly tidied myself up, running a comb through my hair before hurrying out the door and heading straight for the hospital. The weather today was somewhat overcast, with a gentle breeze that carried a hint of chill. Despite the urgency I felt inside, I maintained a steady pace. This was another step toward understanding Neil's family, and my anticipation was stronger than it had been the night before. At the hospital entrance, the familiar bustle surrounded me—people flowing in and out, the sounds of vehicles echoing around me. I stood off to the side for a moment, taking a deep breath to steady myself. As I reached the hospital entrance, I noticed a group of hospital escort staff gathered outside. They were huddled together, smoking and chatting, creating a lively atmosphere. Several of them spoke animatedly, their gestures exaggerated, and their voices louder than usual, as if discussing something particularly intriguing. The faint scent
The VIP floor exuded an atmosphere of tranquility and cleanliness, but what truly caught my eye was a group of tall bodyguards clad in sharp black suits, each radiating an air of confidence. I recognized them as Peter's loyal subordinates; it was evident that Peter had invested considerable effort in ensuring their readiness. The bodyguards, all with athletic builds and fair complexions, wore impeccably tailored suits. Even the advanced communication devices nestled against their ears glimmered with a cold light, exemplifying the standards of professional security. Every detail conveyed a sense of professionalism and caution, radiating an aura of steadiness and reliability. To top it all off, they were undeniably handsome. As soon as they spotted me, the bodyguards straightened up in unison and bowed, greeting me with a resounding, “Mr. Lucas.” Their voices were deep and clear, laced with evident respect and deference. It was obvious that their training had insti