Chapter 14

Two extremely stout but badly bruised men lay moaning on the living room floor, unable to stand. Luke instantly recognized them as Marco's bodyguards. He instinctively knew they were there to harm Gilmore, presumably on Marco's orders. Gilmore was in trouble, wasn't he?

Luke searched the living room for Gilmore. He'd noticed Gilmore's absence before entering the villa and had rushed inside, but Gilmore wasn't there. Panic set in. Marco must have taken him!

Luke immediately shouted to the security guards, "Call the police! Gilmore's been abducted!" As he finished speaking, the bathroom door creaked open, and Gilmore emerged. Luke was utterly puzzled.

The security guards eyed Luke doubtfully, their expression questioning his claim of an abduction. Slightly embarrassed, Luke chuckled, "We don't need to call the police now."

He turned to Gilmore. "How come you were in the bathroom?"

"Nature's call," Gilmore replied.

Luke pointed to the bruised men. "What happened to them?"

Gilmore explained, "I was waiting for you and reinforcements, but I had to use the bathroom, so I went inside. Someone attacked me in the dark, and I fought back instinctively. I hurt them accidentally."

The truth, of course, was that Gilmore had injured Marco's bodyguards not by instinct, but because of an elixir he'd taken. The elixir had given him "God's Eye," allowing him to see perfectly in the dark. He'd seen the bodyguards' every move and struck them precisely. But Gilmore certainly wasn't going to reveal the whole story.

Luke and the security guards were dumbfounded. Looking at the men's swollen faces, they couldn't believe the injuries were from a simple instinctive fight. It was impossible. Luke, however, felt a grudging admiration. "Lucky you, Gilmore."

"Thanks, I am," Gilmore grinned.

A young security guard, presumably the captain, addressed Gilmore. "Sir, let us handle these men. We'll call the police later. For your safety, I'll post two guards at your villa. Is that acceptable, Mr. Reed?"

The captain's attentiveness had a reason. Before Christine, daughter of the Evergreen Group chairman, left, she'd ordered Gilmore's protection. Letting intruders into his villa was a serious lapse in duty; the captain knew he could lose his position if Miss Foster learned of it. Therefore, he needed to compensate for their failure by providing extra security.

"Thank you, bro," Gilmore said.

Flattered, the captain shook his hand. "It's our pleasure, Mr. Reed."

The captain and his men took the two men away, gently closing the villa door behind them.

Luke sat on the sofa, looking at Gilmore uneasily. "It seems Marco is truly vengeful, and you're in danger."

Gilmore remained detached, hands in his pockets. "Things work themselves out. Besides, Christine's sending me a personal bodyguard tomorrow, 24/7."

But this didn't ease Luke's apprehension. Marco was influential in Oakhaven, and Luke worried that even with around-the-clock protection, accidents could happen. The fact that Marco's bodyguards had infiltrated the Palazzo's rigorous security highlighted Marco's power.

Gilmore patted Luke's shoulder. "Don't worry. Marco wouldn't dare touch me."

Luke remained unconvinced. "How about I call my dad? He can send some guards."

Gilmore was speechless. Was he that weak? He was a skilled martial artist who usually kept a low profile. Did he really need protection? Absolutely not.

Just then, Gilmore's WhatsApp pinged. It was a message from Christine:

[Gilmore, I'm sending you an ace bodyguard tomorrow. He's recently retired from special forces. His name is Gerald Graves, nicknamed "The Wolf." (Gerald is a martial arts expert. He once successfully completed a high-risk mission in a warzone, surrounded by ruthless bandits, and returned safely. This is a photo of him.)]

The photo showed a young man in his twenties, with sharp, resolute eyes; he looked undaunted and aggressive, like a wolf. Gilmore hadn't expected such a powerful bodyguard. Christine clearly understood Marco's ruthlessness.

Gilmore showed Luke the photo. "Check this out."

Luke's surprise was evident as he read Christine's message. She truly valued Gilmore. This was a huge relief. With such a bodyguard, Luke felt Gilmore would be safe.

They slept soundly. The next morning, at eight o'clock sharp, a loud horn outside awakened them. A new black Mercedes was parked outside. Gilmore suspected it was Gerald.

A young, short-haired man in sunglasses, a black suit, and black boots emerged. He was robust and imposing, his posture suggesting competence.

Gilmore extended his hand. "You must be Gerald."

"Correct. I'm Gerald," Gerald replied, shaking Gilmore's hand. "I'm here to protect Mr. Reed." He handed Gilmore the car keys. "Miss Foster says this Mercedes is at your disposal."

Luke was astonished. He estimated the car's worth at three or four million dollars. Why would Christine give Gilmore a villa and such an expensive car? It was as if Gilmore were a millionaire. What had he done to deserve such fortune?

Gilmore, too, was surprised but now seemed more composed. He'd learned that even expensive cars were merely tools, not treasures.

Instead of simply accepting the keys, Gilmore said, "You drive today, I'll drive tomorrow."

Gerald was surprised by Gilmore's calm demeanor, respecting him even more. "Alright, I'll drive today. Please get in, Mr. Reed."

"Gilmore, please," Gilmore corrected.

"Sure," Gerald smiled.

The three got into the Mercedes, leaving the Palazzo as Gerald drove toward Oakhaven University.