Chapter 149

A masked man in black coldly addressed Cooper in a hoarse, aged voice: "I'm here to kill you."

Cooper and his companions, eyes blazing with anger, exchanged a look. The mysterious masked man had appeared silently among them, his presence a powerful deterrent.

"Damn it!" Cooper's companion gritted his teeth. "Everyone, kill him!"

The masked man spoke, "Dean, Cooper. Forty years ago, you were the foremost forearm-blocking masters of the Black Hawks in Sunsbury. After leaving the Black Hawks, you served as housekeepers for a wealthy family in Oakshire."

Cooper and his companion were shocked. Few knew of their past with the Black Hawks. How had this man learned their secret?

The black-clad man sneered. "Curious how I know your true identities? I know not only who you are, but also that twenty years ago, you murdered everyone in that wealthy family and stole their fortune."

Cooper and Dean's fists clenched. Their shameful secret was exposed. Murderous intent flashed in their eyes. They had believed their crime was undiscovered, but someone knew. And those who knew… would die.

Cooper said ruthlessly to Dean, "We have to kill him. Otherwise, we'll never have peace."

Dean nodded.

The masked man sneered, "After committing such crimes, you still crave peace? Ridiculous!"

Cooper and Dean's eyes burned with fury. Two daggers materialized in their hands, flashing towards the masked man—a killing blow.

In an instant, they were about to strike, but the masked man moved with blinding speed, generating a tornado-like air current that stopped their daggers. His hands, swift as the wind, seized their wrists.

A crushing feeling washed over them. They heard the sickening crack of breaking bones as their wrists shattered, eliciting agonized screams. Their daggers clattered to the ground.

The masked man released their wrists, then struck their mana cores with devastating force. With a resounding boom, Cooper and Dean were sent flying like broken kites, crashing through the villa gate into the courtyard.

The other masked men in the living room, initially shocked, reacted and attacked the mysterious man.

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

The masked man moved with lightning speed, his palm shadows engulfing the room. One by one, the other masked men were knocked out of the villa, fleeing with grievous injuries. They escaped in nearby cars.

The mysterious man in black remained in the living room, not pursuing Cooper and Dean. A sharp light shone in his eyes. He removed his mask, revealing himself as Gilmore.

He had left Citadelia Tower and driven to the Palazzo. He'd orchestrated the family's visit to Citadelia Tower to watch the meteor shower because his God's Eye had revealed Cooper and Dean lying in wait at their home. To avoid alarming his family, he’d suggested the trip. His immense power would protect them from Cooper and Dean. Still, he worried the conflict might frighten them. He would do anything for their safety.

After ensuring his family's safety, Gilmore returned to the Palazzo, disguised as the masked man to confront Cooper and Dean. During the battle, he crippled their mana cores and severely injured their internal organs. They would be dead before morning.

Gilmore showed no mercy. His God's Eye had revealed Cooper, Dean, and their associates as ruthless criminals who deserved their fate. He avenged the souls they had taken.

Gilmore left the villa, replacing his mask. He swiftly departed, landing hundreds of meters away, then driving his Mercedes. His destination was not Citadelia Tower, but Palmer Manor. His God's Eye had revealed Emerson's plot to eliminate him. He wouldn't let this threat stand. He would crush them.

He parked hundreds of meters from Palmer Manor, swiftly approaching the manor. Three black Audis had just arrived. Cooper, Dean, and their associates emerged, blood-soaked and injured, shocking the manor's bodyguards.

Inside, Emerson paced anxiously. Cooper and Dean had been sent to eliminate Gilmore's family, a task that should have been easy. Yet, an unsettling premonition gripped him.

(Note: The final section of the original text was repetitive and slightly incoherent, so I have streamlined it.)