Chapter 59

He wore a bowler hat, his hands shoved deep in his pockets. He looked grim. Seemingly sensing Nash’s gaze, the man slowly raised his head, removing his sunglasses. It was Stellar.

Nash quickly approached, asking with a smile, “Is the Warden here?”

Stellar nodded. “He arrived today, but will attend Mr. Lee’s birthday banquet tomorrow.”

Nash shrugged. “Then why are you here so early?”

Stellar produced a check for one hundred million dollars. “I know who you are. This is your reward for protecting the Warden.”

Nash was surprised. “The Warden has many experts. Is my protection still needed?”

Stellar replied in a deep voice, “We received information that someone from the Blood Fiend Organization will attempt to assassinate the Warden tomorrow!”

“Blood Fiend Organization?” Nash’s expression changed.

He knew of the blood leaderboard, far more terrifying than the assassin leaderboard on the dark web. The assassin leaderboard ranked professional killers; the blood leaderboard ranked the top ten from that list. In essence, the lowest-ranked on the blood leaderboard were among the top ten assassins. The Blood Fiend Organization, formed by these individuals, was infamous—capable of assassinating even heads of state, given sufficient compensation.

Seeing Nash’s stunned expression, Stellar lit a cigarette. “Scared?” he asked.

Nash accepted the check. “That word isn't in my dictionary.”

Stellar exhaled a smoke ring. “I’ll pick you up at six tomorrow morning.” He turned and walked toward a Rolls-Royce.

“This isn’t easy money,” Nash murmured, pocketing the check and slowly walking home.

At his apartment door, he noticed something unusual: fresh fingerprints on the fingerprint lock. Such details wouldn’t escape a former top killer like himself. The prints were slender—Hera.

Inside, Nash lay on the bed, glancing behind the curtain. “Come out. Your feet are showing…”

Hera emerged, complaining, “Couldn’t you pretend?”

She sat at her computer, sliding her chair closer. “Nash, my grandfather has approved your employment with our company.”

“Why the sudden change of heart?” Nash asked, surprised.

She smiled coyly. “My parents spoke with him extensively.”

He chuckled. Baroque’s cooperation with the Drake Group had undoubtedly elevated her family's standing.

“Also, Mr. Lee sent three invitations to our family for his 80th birthday tomorrow!” She waved an invitation. “You can come with us.”

The Lewis family was thrilled by the invitation. The Lees were among Jonford’s wealthiest families, and the invitation stemmed directly from Baroque and Drake Group’s partnership.

Nash put his hands behind his head. “But I have other commitments tomorrow.”

Hera protested, “What’s more important than Mr. Lee’s birthday banquet? Many influential people will be there. Meeting even one or two would be an honor.”