Chapter 305

The night was a blur of shadows and light.

Zabaleta at midnight was a spectacle of splendor, with the hustle of people and cars like a living, breathing

dragon.

For

over a

century that crossroads of two rivers had blossomed into a bustling metropolis, the pride of the

East, dubbed ‘Easter Vittorios. Rumor had it that even the beggars there sat on fortunes larger than some

small-town tycoons.

The saying might be a bit over the top, but Zabaleta was just that—a glittering international city where space

was at a premium. Towering above it all was the Ledger family, reigning supreme.

“Kelvin nailed it, and that little witch Wanda took the bait!” Marcus had just hung up with Kelvin and was then

smirking at Wanda’s photo on his phone. “Thought you could run, Wanda?

“Wait until you’re in my bed. You'll learn what real torment is. Anyone who crosses the Ledgers doesn’t even

deserve the mercy of death.”

Before Marcus, Andrew, Hec, and Hunter sat with bandaged stumps where their fingers had been, their faces a

mix of pain and awe as they gazed at the white-haired elder in the cloak.

The old man, Yorgos, watched as Marcus’ cruel laughter faded. He shook his head and spoke with a gentle firmness. “Mister

Marcus Ledger, there’s trouble brewing at home. The head of the family commands your

return to the ancestral house. You’re not to leave without permission.”

Marcus let out a snide laugh, clearly unbothered. “Mister Yorgos Lacher, save your breath. Here in Zabaleta.

who'd dare mess with the Ledgers?”

Yorgos’s face remained stoic as he bowed slightly. “The head of the family insists. Please, Mister Marcus

Ledger, don’t make this hard.”

“Damn!”

Marcus muttered curses under his breath, yet he would not dare go against his father’s orders. With a dismissive snort, he said,

“Fine, I'll go back, but not before I catch Wanda and take her to the old family mansion for some...entertainment.”

Yorgos remained impassive, simply responding with a curt, “Agreed.”

Marcus was about to add something else when, from outside the living room, a bodyguard’s voice boomed. Mister Marcus

Ledger, there’s a car approaching with an Ol‘ Mare plate. It’s a red Porsche!”

“Heh, the little minx has finally shown up!”

Acruel smirk crossed Marcus's face before he gestured decisively.

“Move out!”

The red Porsche eased to a stop at the villa’s front gate.

“Gentlemen.”

+15 BONOS

As per Alexander’s instructions, Kelvin swung the rear car door open, dashed to the villa’s entrance, and shouted. “I’m Kelvin,

sent by Mister Marcus Ledger. Please, open the gate!”

In a flurry of motion, eight Ledger family bodyguards, clad in black suits and armed with rubber batons or alloy daggers,

swarmed eut from the entrance’s shadows, encircling Kelvin.

One of them flashed a high—beam flashlight into the Porsche’s back seat, spotted Wanda, then glanced at Ray behind the wheel

and Alexander in the front seat. He let out a low chuckle. “Kelvin, not bad at all. You brought Miss Briers here so fast!

“And those two guys? Are they your hired help?”

“Yeah, they're on my dime, set me back three thousand bucks.”

Kelvin plastered a forced smile across his face, nodding and scraping before the lead bodyguard. “I’ve brought the person you

wanted. Can you let my parents go now?”

The bodyguard’s smirk was icy as he ignored Kelvin and strode up to the Porsche, gesturing for the occupant to exit. “Miss

Briers, you're here at last. Why stay in the car? Or perhaps you’re waiting for Mister Marcus Ledger to extend a personal

invitation?”

Wanda’s face was ashen as she caught a glimpse of Alexander and Ray's retreating figures. With a fierce bite of her lip, she

stepped out from the back seat.

“You two!”

The bodyguard, unfamiliar with Alexander and Ray since he had not been to Ol’ Mare with Andrew, Hec, and Hunter, waved his

rubber baton menacingly. “Stay put in the car, and don’t even think about stepping out. The first one who does is a dead man!”

His command was followed by a bellow to the villa’s gatekeeper, “Open up!”

With a groan, the gates parted, and a harsh spotlight burst from the balcony, bathing the yard in stark, artificial daylight. There, in

the unforgiving glare, an elderly couple with silver—-streaked hair trembled, bound and helpless.

At the sight of his parents, Kelvin’s voice broke, and he wept openly.

“Dad, Mom!”