Chapter 161

A gust of night wind rustled the fallen leaves around the Palmer family manor, creating a desolate and somber scene. Mr. Emerson, Uncle Cooper, and several bodyguards had been murdered overnight, plunging the manor into panic. Many bodyguards and servants fled, leaving an unsettling quiet. White gauze and cloth draped the villa; Mr. Emerson's portrait hung in the living room, now a makeshift mourning hall. Three urns containing the ashes of Emerson, Uncle Cooper, and Dean sat within.

Russell, Herbert, and the remaining Palmer family members, clad in mourning attire, sat with melancholic expressions. Some burned paper money, others wept softly. Russell and Herbert were particularly grief-stricken by their father's death. Without Mr. Emerson's leadership, the family's businesses, including the collapsed Gastronova Ventures, were rapidly failing. Unskilled in business, Russell and Herbert felt lost and helpless, anticipating the family's imminent ruin.

Beyond the bleak future, however, loomed a greater fear: the masked man in black responsible for the murders. The brothers wondered about his identity and motive, and worried about his next target. The Palmer family was experiencing its darkest hour.

A Sudden Arrival

A cold wind swept through the villa gates, fluttering the white gauze, scattering paper money, and causing the candles to flicker. The Palmer family and servants were instantly chilled, goosebumps rising on their arms. Their eyes widened, fixed on the gates.

Suddenly, two figures appeared, seemingly flying into the mourning hall, accompanied by another gust of wind and a brief sandstorm. Once the sandstorm settled, Russell and Herbert saw two men: an older man, around 50, and a younger one, seemingly in his 30s. The older man was bald, fat, tall, muscular, and powerfully built; the younger man, similarly muscular, commanded attention. Gilmore, if present, would recognize the younger man as Clive Ray.

"Who knows where Uncle Cooper and Dean are?" the older man asked, his gaze settling on Russell and his family.

Russell, sensing the older man's formidable aura—that of a highly skilled martial artist—hurriedly stood and replied respectfully, "Sir, why do you seek Uncle Cooper and Dean?"

"I am their senior brother, Lawrence Ray. We had an agreement to meet here tonight," the older man replied, stroking his beard.

Russell was astonished. "You're Uncle Cooper and Dean's senior brother? My sincerest respects," he said, bowing deeply.

Lawrence Ray, the bald older man, was indeed the senior brother. The younger man, Clive, was his son. They had traveled from Sunsbury to Oakhaven on urgent business, having previously arranged to meet Cooper and Dean at the manor.

Clive, sharp-eyed, noticed the memorial tablets. "Father, why are there tablets with their names here?" he asked, his voice laced with doubt.

Lawrence's gaze fell upon the tablets; his eyes flashed with anger. With lightning speed, he grabbed Russell's shirt, choking him. Russell gasped for air, his face turning red, petrified and unable to speak, sensing the approach of death.

"Tell me the truth! Did you or the Palmer family kill my junior brothers?" Lawrence roared, his internal energy thrumming with rage. His long robe billowed as he seethed with murderous intent.

Herbert, regaining his composure, quickly interjected, "Mr. Lawrence, Uncle Cooper and Dean were not killed by us. Another man was responsible!"

Lawrence released Russell, who gasped for breath, feeling as if he'd escaped death's grasp. Lawrence, though his anger remained, asked, "If your family didn't kill them, then who did?"

Herbert explained the murders by the masked man in black. Russell added that before his death, Uncle Cooper had given his father a letter for Lawrence, a letter now in his possession. Lawrence demanded the letter.

Upon receiving it, Lawrence read Cooper's last wish: to avenge him and kill Gilmore.

"Kill Gilmore?" Lawrence exclaimed, his gaze intense.

Russell, fearing he'd spoken out of turn, quickly added, "Those were Cooper's last words. Please disregard it if you feel it's inappropriate."

But Lawrence pressed on, "You mentioned Gilmore. Tell me everything you know."

Russell, sensing that Lawrence already knew something about Gilmore, hesitantly replied, "Gilmore is a founder of the Evermore Group, and he's involved with Claire Carter, daughter of the Carter family."

Lawrence then turned to Clive and asked, "Clive, is this the man who destroyed your martial arts school in Vista Verde and had you imprisoned?"

Clive, his eyes burning with hatred, clenched his teeth. "Yes, Father. That's him!"

(End of Chapter 161)