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
Chapter 374The phone rang a couple of times before Kane picked up, his voice gruff and impatient. “What’s the deal, Williams? We’ve been waiting for hours. You finally got something, or are we still sitting around?”Williams, leaning casually outside against the wall of Mr. Sterling’s mansion kept his voice low, steady and calm. “Kane, something just came up, and it’s big. Listen carefully. My informants just told me Jack and his crew kidnapped the son of a top-tier entrepreneur—a big shot. This kid isn’t just any target; he’s got a rich father willing to pay anything to get him back.”Kane’s tone sharpened immediately, laced with anticipation. “That bastard. Where is he? And how do we get to him? I’ve been itching to teach him a lesson.”“Calm down,” Williams interjected firmly. “We’re not taking out Jack. Not yet. He’s our link to Scarface, and we need Scarface more than we need revenge. The kid they’ve got? That boy is our top priority, we must rescue him too at all cost.”Kane sc
Chapter 375Meanwhile, James and Gregor were huddled near the battered wooden table, speaking in hushed tones. The faint glow of the lamp overhead cast elongated shadows across their faces, highlighting the intensity of their expressions.Coincidentally, they were working on something that might lead them to the kidnappers.James felt more confident than ever that the kidnappers had fully fallen for the false messages he had sent using Ben’s phone. With this advantage, he began formulating a new plan to outsmart them.“What if we release Ben?” James asked.“Release him?” Gregor was confused. “What do you mean?”James leaned forward, his fingers drumming against the table. “Look, Gregor,” he began, his voice tinged with frustration, “I know this might sound stupid, but releasing Ben is the only shot we have at ever rescuing that boy. The kidnappers already believe the fake conversations we sent through his phone. If we release him, there’s no way he won’t try to locate the others. But
Chapter 376The adjacent room was dimly lit, with a faint hum from the overhead lights casting a sterile glow over the sparse furniture. Ben sat slouched in a wooden bed, his wrists bound in worn metal cuffs that had clearly seen better days, his wrists tight from the handcuffs. His face, still bruised from past scuffles, showed little emotion as Gregor strode in, holding a fresh set of cuffs in one hand and a neutral expression on his face. James followed close behind, shrugging off his jacket and tossing it onto a nearby table, where he had already placed Ben’s phone and his own.Gregor approached Ben without a word. The air in the room was heavy, tension palpable. “Alright,” Gregor said gruffly, his voice cutting through the silence, “don’t act funny. I’m just here to change your cuffs.”Ben didn’t resist. Instead, he raised his hands in surrender, his movements deliberate and slow. “Go ahead,” he said, his voice hoarse but steady.Gregor leaned down, fumbling with the old cuffs a