Chapter 366Back in his room, Kai locked the door, his mind already drifting to the task ahead.He glanced at the petite girl as she sat down on the edge of the chair, her posture tense, hands clasped nervously in her lap. She looked as though she might break into pieces if the wrong words were said.And It didn’t take a genius like kai Nakamura to see she was probably new to this line of work. Well, that’s her business, not mine, he thought, dismissing the idea.He checked his watch—still just past 8 PM. Two more hours to kill before he’d be heading out into the murky depths of Red Waters, the part of town where danger was a fact of life. The information he needed would be there, and he’d be ready.He was pulled from his thoughts when he felt a light touch on his shoulder. The girl had stood up, her movements hesitant yet intentional. She leaned in closer, her fingertips brushing his arm with a tentative softness as she attempted to meet his eyes. Her gaze was almost pleading, her li
Chapter 367After a long pause, Kai finally spoke again, his voice more casual this time. “You mentioned your mom is sick,” he said, his eyes steady on hers. “What exactly is wrong with her?”Lina hesitated for a moment, her fingers once again twining nervously in her lap. Her gaze fell to the floor, and for a long time, she didn’t speak, the weight of her words seemingly too heavy to carry. She took a deep breath, steadying herself before meeting Kai’s eyes again.“My father died when I was young,” she began, her voice quiet, but steady enough to tell her story. “He was a soldier. He was never really home. When he was around, it was for brief moments, and then… he was gone.” Her eyes flickered briefly with sorrow, but she quickly pushed the emotion down, focusing on her mother instead.She paused, unsure of how to explain. “After he died, my mother had to take care of everything. She was already struggling with her health before that. But she never stopped. She worked, doing whatever
Chapter 368It was around 10 p.m. when Kai and Lina stepped out of the hotel room. The quiet hum of the hotel lobby seemed to grow louder as they walked through it, and the chatter of the few remaining patrons began to swell.All eyes turned toward them as they moved across the floor. Some guests who had witnessed the earlier commotion, the fight between Kai and the fierce looking man, exchanged glances and whispers.They assumed they had just finished with their assumptions based on the earlier tension. The couple’s appearance in the lobby, with the air of quiet finality around them, made it clear what they thought had occurred. Whispers of “finished already?” and “how was it?” echoed through the room.The manager, Mr. Wibblebottom, was quick to notice them. His burly frame loomed large as he scurried across the lobby, a wide grin on his face. He moved with a sense of eagerness, his eyes glinting with a mixture of curiosity and business-minded anticipation.“How was the sex? Did she
Chapter 369Kai squeezed Lina’s hand, his grip firm but not comforting. He could sense the nervous energy radiating from her, the mix of anxiety and uncertainty that came with venturing into a dangerous part of town. He knew it was his mission tonight, but her presence complicated things. She was a distraction, but one that might also be useful, depending on how things went.Lina, still not quite sure where things stood between them, stayed close to him. Her steps were hesitant at first, but as they moved further into the dead of night, her pace quickened, as if the cold night air could erase some of the tension from the lobby.“I’m not going to let anything happen to you,” Kai said, his voice low as they walked side by side, the city’s shadows swallowing their figures. He didn’t look at her, but the words were meant for her, a reassurance he didn’t often offer.Lina nodded, though she still wasn’t sure if she could trust his words entirely. She had heard enough about the dangers of t
Chapter 370Every now and then, a flash of movement would catch Kai’s eye, only to disappear just as quickly, as if the very walls were alive with a silent, unseen threat.Dilapidated bars and grimy establishments lined the streets, each one exuding a faint, eerie glow from flickering neon signs.They bore names like “The Devil’s Flask” and “Hell’s Haven,” each establishment promising a night of vice and danger to those willing to take the risk.The windows were mostly blacked out or covered with metal bars, and only slivers of dim light seeped through, revealing shadowy figures hunched over tables or lurking by the doors. Music spilled out from some of the buildings, a strange blend of heavy bass and discordant tunes that added to the unsettling atmosphere, pulsing like the heartbeat of The Abyss itself.Every corner seemed to have its own assortment of figures—a group of rough-looking men leaned against a wall, their eyes following Kai and Lina with cold amusement; a pair of women i
Chapter 371As the moon rose above the horizon, casting a fair glow on the landscape, Williams, Kane, Tom, and the rugged man marked by deep scars made their way to the border crossing into Emerald Falls.The air was thick with anticipation as they approached the checkpoint, where the towering gates stood framed by lush greenery. Shadows danced around them as the trees swayed gently in the night breeze, adding an almost eerie quality to the atmosphere.Williams adjusted the straps of his backpack, his eyes scanning for any sign of trouble, while Kane exchanged a few wary glances with Tom, who was busy observing the scarred man.The scarred man's intense gaze hinted at a tumultuous past, an unsung story hidden behind his weathered exterior.The group's nerves were palpable as they prepared to step into the city of Emerald Falls. Instead of flying, Williams suggested they take a black SUV, which they used.As the black SUV sped along the main highway leading into Emerald Falls, Williams
Chapter 372He stepped outside the sleek, upscale lobby of Sky Suites and took a breath of the crisp Emerald Falls air before pulling out his phone. The city was so different from Red Waters—clean, modern, and strangely calm. But his focus was elsewhere. Dialing Mr. Sterling, he listened as the phone rang, already running through the plan in his mind.“Mr. Sterling,” Williams said, his voice low but confident, “just got in from Red Waters. I’m ready to help you get your son back. And we’re doing this without giving those kidnappers a cent.”On the other end, Mr. Sterling’s voice rose with immediate relief and excitement. “Williams! It’s good to hear your voice,” he said, sounding almost buoyant. “I can’t tell you how much I’ve needed to hear from you. They’ve been calling, every day, every hour—threatening my son’s life, making demands. But knowing you’re here… that changes things.”“Indeed it does,” Williams said.“So, what's the plan? How are we going to outsmart them?” Mr. Sterling
Chapter 373Mr. Sterling took a deep breath and pressed the call button, his fingers slightly trembling as he dialed the number of the kidnappers. Williams stood beside him, watching closely, his face expressionless but his eyes sharp with intent. The phone barely had time to ring before a rough, menacing voice picked up on the other end, as though they had been waiting anxiously for this exact call.“About time,” the kidnapper sneered. “We were beginning to think you were backing out. If you want to see your son alive, this is your last chance.”Mr. Sterling held the phone tight, putting on a performance of forced calm and fear. “No, please, I have the money. I’ve arranged everything. Just… just tell me where to go, and I’ll bring it,” he stammered, his voice quivering just enough to sound desperate.Williams, positioned right next to him, pulled out his phone, angling it subtly to avoid the kidnapper’s notice. He began pressing buttons, pretending to work a tracking application. He