With a puff.

The bearded man froze.

He clutched his crotch with both hands, then fell over stiffly.

The other guys got even angrier seeing this.

Three of them charged together.

Armed with daggers, they rushed at Dirk Carter.

Even though Dirk was skilled, he couldn't fend off three daggers. In the exchanges, his arm got cut.

But even so.

He still shielded Corinne Quance, not letting them get an inch closer.

One against three, holding his ground.

The fight was deadlocked.

Elijah Newhart fumbled at his waist.

He pulled out a dark homemade shotgun, cocked it, and pointed it at Dirk Carter, shouting, "All of you, stop right there!"

At his command.

Everyone froze.

Dirk Carter was no exception.

"Keep fighting, let's see how tough you are!"

Elijah Newhart bellowed at Dirk Carter with murderous intent.

Seeing Dirk losing his swagger, Elijah was smug.

He said, "Tough guy, huh? You fooled me good, almost forgot to say, there's nothing I hate more than being lied to. You're not getting out of this, any last words?"

"Stop hurting people, it's not right."

Dirk Carter said.

Elijah thought he misheard.

Frowning, he asked, "What did you say?"

"I said, you're an idiot!"

Dirk Carter said, looking behind Elijah.

Elijah was taken aback.

Finger on the trigger, he roared, "Die!"

In that moment between life and death, Elijah felt a kick on his back, sending him flying while the gun went off.

But the shot missed due to his imbalance.

The steel pellet hit near the thigh of the bearded man rolling on the ground, off by a few centimeters.

Almost sending him to meet The Reaper.

"Who dares..."

Elijah steadied himself, about to curse, but froze mid-sentence.

Standing before him was none other than Caleb Ford.

Caleb's face was serious.

Despite looking small and thin, the malice on his face sent chills down spines around him.

"Get him!"

He called out softly.

The followers rushed forward.

Elijah's men didn't dare resist, each got grabbed by the shoulders and forced to their knees.

Ewan Forrest and Rose Forrest also arrived.

They didn't bother greeting Dirk Carter.

Ewan helped Corinne up.

Rose took off her jacket, covering Xiaoyu's body.

"I'll thank you later, I have something to do now."

Caleb nodded at Dirk Carter.

Then squatted down, asking Elijah, "Who sent you?"

Elijah was silent, fear evident towards Caleb.

"I'll ask again, who sent you?"

Elijah sneered, turning away, "Winner takes all. I never rat out clients, you can kill me but I won't talk."

Caleb remained expressionless.

Picked up a dagger, playing with it.

Calmly said, "Three strikes. I'll ask one last time, who sent you?"

"I won't say."

Elijah stood firm.

As soon as he spoke.

Caleb moved, gripping the dagger backward, stabbing it into Elijah's hand.

With a squelch.

The dagger pierced straight through, blood gushing out, Elijah screamed in agony.

Corinne and Xiaoyu covered their eyes in fright.

Only one strike?

Think again!

Caleb pulled the dagger out.

And stabbed again.

This time, Elijah's face went pale, body convulsing in pain.

Gasping for air, wailing nonstop.

Another squelch.

A third strike.

The back of Elijah's hand was a bloody mess.

Caleb's stance was clear: as long as you don't talk, I'll keep stabbing until you do.

Seeing Caleb pull the dagger out a third time.

Elijah finally broke.

Crying out, "No more stabbing, I'll talk, Kian Holden sent me."

Kian Holden?

Hearing the name, Dirk's heart jolted.

"So it was him."

The outcome seemed unsurprising to Caleb.

He sighed.

And stabbed the dagger in once more, the fourth strike.

Elijah finally couldn't take it, fainting.

Caleb stood up slowly.

Approaching Corinne, he said, "Miss Quance, I'm truly sorry for today, the security lapses are my fault. I'll double your appearance fee, is that agreeable?"

Having witnessed Caleb's ruthlessness.

What else could Corinne say but nod?

Caleb waved, saying, "Escort Miss Quance to the hotel, you and Rose watch over her personally."

"Sure thing, Caleb."

Ewan nodded, glanced at Dirk, and left with Corinne and Rose.

Scanning the room, Caleb said, "Cut their tendons, dump them at Grandlake Group's entrance."

"Got it!"

His followers responded.

Caleb then spoke to Dirk, "Shall we take a walk?"

Following Caleb to the yard, louder screams echoed from inside, resonating in the night.

Dirk shivered,

Today was the first time he witnessed Caleb's cruelty firsthand.

"Thanks, this is the second time you've helped me today."

Caleb said.

Dirk replied, "It wasn't intentional, just happened to be there. Can't just stand by and watch a big star get hurt in Stillwater, right? After all, I'm a county official."

Caleb nodded.

Said, "When my people got to the hotel, no one was there. After checking surveillance, we saw you leaving with them. We mobilized everyone we could in town and found this place. Thank goodness you were around, or who knows what would've happened."

Indeed.

Dirk had bought them time.

If it weren't for him.

Xiaoyu, the manager, would've surely been harmed.

If that got out, Apex Gardens' reputation could suffer greatly.

"Why did Kian Holden do it?"

Dirk asked.

Caleb chuckled, "Business war, you know, it can be just as brutal. Grandlake Group worked hard to enter Stillwater's market. Azure Creek Gardens is already underway, a high-end development under them. If Corinne helped boost our popularity but the kidnapping spread, Apex Gardens wouldn't sell, giving his Azure Creek Gardens a boost. That way, Grandlake Group can establish a foothold in Stillwater."

The explanation.

Left Dirk somewhat rattled.

Business is indeed like war, no doubt about it.

"What do you plan to do next?"

Dirk asked.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.