The wild dog lunged at Coco, its mouth agape. As she screamed, the sound of clanking chains echoed throughout the warehouse.The dog had a steel collar with an iron chain trailing behind, tethered to a steel post on one side. The dog’s fangs were just inches away from Coco. She trembled in fear.The helpless little girl fainted as she murmured, “D-Daddy…please save me.”The dog stopped growling and returned to its corner before licking its front paws. There was a man-made wound on its front paw.Coco regained consciousness after a while and sat with her back against the wall. She widened her eyes at the dog as it lay in the corner. The dog glanced at Coco but continued to lie down. Coco watched it for a while, then courageously approached it.The dog glanced at her warily. I felt the little girl was not a threat, so it lay its head back down.Coco approached slowly and squatted before the dog to pet it. "Don't be scared, doggie. Daddy will be here soon to save me, and I'll save y

Suddenly, a gunshot echoed, and a bullet pierced Cannon’s arm. He howled in agony as the steel rod fell with a thud. “Gah! My arm!”A convoy of military jeeps was in the distance. Patrol cars with flashing lights and black armored vehicles suddenly appeared. Armed combatants leaped from the vehicles, taking control of the scene. They encircled Cannon and his partner, every gun aimed at them.The red laser dots appeared on Cannon and his partner. Any sudden move would lead to their demise. They shivered and collapsed to their knees. Cannon desperately exclaimed, “Please don't kill us! We were just following orders!”Meanwhile, a formidable figure emerged from behind the crowd. The man exuded a cold aura when he saw the injured girl on the ground. His presence demanded vengeance. He rushed forward, lifting Coco with great concern. "Coco, I'm so sorry, Daddy's here now. You're not hurt, are you?"Coco threw herself into her father's embrace, sobbing. "Daddy, the big doggie is dead! Th

The lightning made Xayne’s frigid glare scarier. The downpour only added to the chill in the air. The atmosphere was heavy, making it hard to breathe.Tage glared at Xayne through the rain. “Xayne? I didn’t expect to see you at my residence. It seems I’ve underestimated you.”Xayne remained indifferent. His suppressed bloodlust intensified the atmosphere over the courtyard. His voice was calm to mask his emotions, “Tage, disband your crew.”However, this sentence sent shivers down Tage and his men's spines. Tage burst into laughter and retorted, "Boy, do you realize the audacity of your words? You’re a mere in-law to the Swifts and a remnant of the Xaviers. How dare you be arrogant before me.”Butch and Tage’s henchmen glared at Xayne’s group. One shouted, “It’s bold of you to speak to Mr. Tage like that! Leave now, or Mr. Tage will bury you alive.”“How dare you tell us to disband?! Not even the Grim Reaper dares to speak so boldly!”As tensions peaked, Xayne stood calmly and lo

Swish!Ropes landed in the courtyard as dozens of armed Strategic Eagle operatives and special forces soldiers descended. They formed a circle around Xayne, Linford, and several others.Soon, they pointed their guns outward and roared in unison, “Drop your weapons, or we’ll shoot! Final warning!”Squads of soldiers surged through every entrance and exit of the yard. They took control of the yard almost instantly."Drop your weapons now!""Get down, or we will use force!""Hands on your head and get on the ground!"These booming orders left the gangsters panicked. Most simply discarded their weapons and huddled on the ground with their heads buried in their arms.Although some resisted, the combatants charged in and kicked them down. Immediately after, they aimed their guns at the gangsters’ heads, shouting, “Stay down!”Suddenly, several gangsters rushed forward with their knives.Bang! Bang! Bang!Gunshots echoed through the yard as the gangsters fell into puddles of blood.

Xayne lifted his daughter and explained with a smile, “Even patrol officers look like soldiers in a child’s eyes, right Coco?”Coco saw her father wink at her and nodded. “Yeah!”Serena frowned but didn’t press further.Half an hour later, Coco fell asleep. Serena glanced at Xayne and approached him, asking quietly, “I’m sorry for being so impulsive just now. Are you...okay?"Xayne raised an eyebrow at her. He palmed his cheek and smiled, “I’m fine. I wouldn’t mind you smacking me every day.”Serena pouted and said, “Smooth talker.”The two fell silent as they had nothing else to discuss. A moment later, they spoke simultaneously."You...""You..."Xayne smiled at Serena, “You first.”Serena tucked her hair behind her ear and asked with concern, “Do you have a plan to deal with the Lennings? Adrian’s promotion celebration is in three days. If you don’t figure out something by then, it would be best to leave Shalholm.”Xayne smiled. “Are you worried about me?”Serena rolled