The hospital room was filled with a sense of urgency and tension. Jia paced back and forth outside the surgery room, her heart thumping in her chest.She couldn't understand what Arnold had told her moments before when he'd arrived at the hospital with her father.There had been a near-bomb explosion, and her father's automobile had been blasted up.What if he was inside? What if they were both inside at the same time? What would she have done in her situation? Where would she start?Arnold and her father were the two most important persons in her life then, and she couldn't take the thought of losing them. Damn! Jia swiped her hands violently over her face, murmuring incorrigible words—words that made no sense because she just wanted to do anything to distract her mind from the terrible ideas and pictures she'd conjured up inside.She ruffled her hair frantically as she continued to pace about, anticipating news on her father and Arnold's treatment. She should've been in there. She
"You blew it! You failed miserably." On the other end of the line, a frustrated and angry voice yelled."I apologize, Mr..." Kein began, but the stranger cut him off. "Oh, please spare me that! You just had one job, and you fucked it up! This was supposed to be a simple transaction, but what did I get? To think I once held you in high regard, and now..." Kein clenched his hands as he let the ungrateful stranger's comments trail off. He was already irritated, and if he relied on what the man was saying, he'd lose it.'And to think I held you in high regard...' Kein refused to continue the sentence because it insulted his legacy—and his reputation.He wasn't just the beloved Kein known to all and sundry; he was also an infamous and ruthless gang boss and businessman who'd spent his entire life working his way up through the ranks and reaching his pinnacle. Yet, this stranger dared to approach him in this manner only because he possessed a rare antidote that could treat the deadly ill
"We heard what happened, boss, and we've come from the bottom of our hearts to express our condolences." Rocky, Arnold's second in command, completed his speech with a nod and a smile. A wave of emotions washed over Arnold as he looked around the hospital room, filled with gang members, all dressed casually and carrying bouquets and gifts. It was a subtle move to fit in with the environment, portraying themselves as friends rather than the criminals they were, and they succeeded admirably in their disguise objective. But, well, Arnold couldn't be happier. Despite their concerns and disputes, he'd come to consider these men as a part of himself, perhaps to the extent of calling them family maybe. Still, he enjoyed the connection he had with them, as well as the fact that they reciprocated his feelings. Because damn, they'd heard about the failed bomb attempt, and although the attack wasn't directed at him specifically, they'd come to visit, and if this wasn't love, Arnold had no id
Days later, and finally, Arnold arrived home.He should be delighted, he thought to himself as he pulled open the door to his flat and entered. He wasn't, but then he wasn't sad either. However, his thoughts were still preoccupied with the previous events and everything that had occurred. He still hadn't healed emotionally from the botched bomb attack, and although being released from the hospital, his anxiety for Mr. Xiu's safety remained great. That's why he'd assigned four of his most trusted gang members to keep a close eye on Mr. Xiu until everything was back to normal.Arnold remembered Mr. Xiu's horrified expression when he'd brought the four guys to stay with him in the hospital room and how, jokingly, he'd convinced the older man that the men meant no harm and would protect him from all sides.When Mr. Xiu questioned who they were and where Arnold got them, he lied through his teeth and told his mentor that the men had been hired from a top-tier security firm. Mr. Xiu, fortu
"It's the tattoo. I recognize it. I know who's behind all of this.” Arnold said again, his teeth clenched as shocking wrath coursed through him. He should have known better. His assumption was correct, but the fact that someone close to him had done something so heinous hit him like a punch in the gut. How could he? How could the motherfucker hide behind some ridiculous disguise to conceal such nefarious intents and terrible intentions towards an innocent man like Mr. Xiu? Arnold was enraged by these questions and thoughts. It disgusted him to the core, and the words replayed in his head repeatedly. He could almost smell the foolery in the air, and frigid wrath grabbed him, each thought threatening to overpower and consume him whole. "You know who's behind all of this?" Sasha interrupted his thoughts, and Arnold nodded curtly. "The cretin!" Arnold hissed to himself, hands clinched, his gaze returning to the blurry screen. He wanted to double-check the tattoo on the man's wrist j
Days had passed since Arnold had hacked into Mr. Kein’s fishing company server and dug into the files, unearthing secrets that could bring down the entire company. Arnold had disguised himself as a poor, jobless man looking for work, just as Sasha had instructed.Fortunately for him, he'd been quickly hired—according to the manager, the company could use more hands—and was now working the night shift at the fish factory. Arnold didn't mind at all, and even though the wage wasn't great, he wasn't complaining. Besides, he wasn't working here because he needed a paycheck or to pay his bills. He was here because he needed substantial knowledge and evidence to expose Mr. Kein. Disguised as a worker, this cover would allow him to examine the organization's day-to-day operations and possibly witness something crucial along the way. Arnold was unusually confident in starting on this covert mission with this blazing resolve.He'd also learned the art of blending in with the employees bustlin
'We have an issue, boss.' While reporting on the matter at hand, Kein replayed the words his guys had informed him a few minutes before in his head repeatedly.Following the botched bomb attack, the men he'd deployed to monitor Mr. Xiu were having difficulty getting through to him. The covert surveillance on Mr. Xiu had stopped, but why? This was something Kein was curious about."I'm still listening." Despite his rage, he kept his tone calm and his expression emotionless. "Tell me everything right now!"“I—“ One of the men began but was cut off before he could continue. "We haven't been able to meet privately with Mr. Xiu at the hospital where we tracked him too because he has some rather strong protection in place." Another chimed in."Huh, what do you mean?" Kein inquired, perplexed. "We mean that finding a vulnerability or trying to attack and smother him secretly is nearly impossible because he's heavily guarded. Security men are stationed at his bedside and outside the hospita
"Raise your hands. Legs spread. Move your body." The commands were given by a stout-looking man at the building's door, and the workers obeyed without hesitation. Except for Arnold, who remained motionless, his face crossed between 'I'm so bewildered' and 'fuck this.' He'd come to work earlier this evening with excitement and trepidation. Tonight, was the night of the mysterious event, and he'd been chosen as one of the workers serving at the event the day before. When he entered the premises, he encountered an unusual mob standing in a rowdy queue while they were carefully checked. Every member of staff and worker was subjected to comprehensive searches to verify that no one was carrying any mobile devices or unapproved equipment. But why was this so? And what on earth was going on? What type of terrible thing was taking place that cameras weren't even permitted? Should he be concerned? Should he turn around right now and go home before things get out of hand? One voice in Arnol