Chapter 5
I initially thought that with the way Brandon was acting, all fire and fury, he would charge at John and start a fight right away.
But instead, he spoke in a low, strained voice:
“Please don’t tell my wife. She can’t handle something like this, especially the dust when we fight”
I was taken aback.
It reminded me of the first time I met Brandon, back when we were on a team–building trip in a dark, dangerous underground cave. The air was thick with dampness, and we had to squeeze through narrow, claustrophobic passageways. I was
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exhausted from a tough week at work, and the stress of being stuck in such a place made me lose all interest in the adventure.
“Hey, want to go first?”
That was Brandon’s first attempt at talking to me. He was awkward, all stiff and unsure of himself, with his dark hair cut short and his face flushed with nerves.
I couldn’t resist teasing him.
“No thanks, I’m allergic to dust.”
Brandon’s face turned a shade of red I didn’t think was humanly possible.
“Sorry… I didn’t know. How about I help you with the equipment later?”
I smiled softly, realizing that even then, he
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had already been a clingy, eager puppy. Cute… in an exasperating way.
John’s voice pulled me back into the present.
“I heard Brandon was planning to ambush me, but where’s his backup?”
Brandon’s voice, though low, carried an undertone of frustration, not at all like someone with the upper hand.
“I’ve arranged for them to secure my wife’s safety.”
“As expected, your Viper people are inside Dragon Gang.”
John chuckled, the sound cold and dismissive.
“But you just let him go? You’re allowing
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someone to escort your wife without
worrying for her safety? You trust him that much?”
Brandon stayed silent.
The thud of fists landing echoed in the tension–filled air.
I stood motionless, my face an unreadable mask, not about to intervene.
It wasn’t until the heavy, strained breathing from both sides filled the room that I made
my move.
“You’ve lost,” Brandon said, his voice carrying more annoyance than triumph.
“My wife is just an ordinary person. Contact Lyon and tell him to release her.”
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John grunted in pain but didn’t respond.
Brandon’s sharp–heeled boots dug into John’s delicate face with minimal force- almost like he was offering John the last bit of dignity in defeat.
“I won. Now you’re just a pawn. Between a capable deputy and an ordinary person, if your boss actually cares about you, he’ll pick you. You should have your boss come negotiate with me.”
John’s breath came in quick, shallow gasps.
“Fine. I’ll send the videos, but you’re doing it yourself.”
With each video John mentioned, Brandon’s expression darkened further, his foot pressing harder into John’s face, his anger building like a storm.
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“I’ll give you five minutes to send them. Otherwise…”
“No need,” a calm, measured voice interrupted from the shadows.
“I’m here.”
I stepped into the light, my presence sharp and unwavering
John was sprawled on the ground, his body twisted in awkward angles, blood staining his shirt.
But my gaze swept over him only for a moment before locking onto Brandon,
“Let him go, and I’ll give you what you want.”
Brandon’s striking almond–shaped eyes were
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bloodshot
“Why? Why you?”
Lyon appeared behind me, his voice low.
“Sorry.”
I turned in surprise to look at this man who was short and unassuming, and I couldn’t help but laugh in frustration.
“A double agent, huh?”
Lyon’s previously awkward demeanor disappeared in an instant, replaced by a cold, distant smile.
“Then what about you? When did you start suspecting me?”
I turned my icy gaze back to Brandon, a
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coldness spreading through me.
“The day you took them to dinner, when the guy mentioned there was something wrong with our shipment. You didn’t flinch when the topic came up, but you kept fiddling with the cufflink on your left sleeve.”
Brandon stared at me, eyes reddened.
“Every time you adjust your cufflink, it’s because you’re nervous. But after you left the private room, I saw you whispering into a phone with someone I couldn’t recognize. You never thought that would show up in the footage, did you?”
Suddenly, Brandon averted his gaze.
“That dinner you chose… it was at a venue owned by my people.”
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I laughed softly, the sound cold and mocking.
Under his watchful eyes, I walked over slowly and pinched his ear.
“Brandon, you’re far too clever for your own good. Did it never cross your mind why I chose your venue? Do you honestly believe I couldn’t connect the dots that it was yours?”
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