Archie. Don’t be scared. I’ll join you soon.
Johanna forced a smile, bare arms slowly shifting around the room. The knife Imogen had been holding was gone, only a sturdy belt remaining. She named toward it, knelt, grabbed the belt, and looped it around her neck.
Identified intruders rushed into the Russell residence, armed and heading straight into the villa. Stanley, leading a group, was already stationed at the door, clearly waiting.
When the intruders charged forward and saw the scene, they were momentarily stunned, a surge of unease washing over them. This wasn't what they'd imagined. Hadn't it been said that Stephan, head of the Russell family, had been fatally poisoned, leaving the family in disarray? They'd thought only the blind and harmless Imogen remained, and that Archie, having secured the family seal, would have seized control and allied with them from within. Caught off guard, the intruders hesitated, their momentum faltering.
Stanley scoffed, arrogantly declaring, "Prepare to die, you fools!"
As he spoke, a group charged from the villa—the Russell family's forces, waiting within. Blades clashed, swords met, and the two sides engaged in a fierce battle.
The intruders' leader looked around, realizing the gravity of the situation. He shouted, "Is Stephan okay? Where is he? Where did Archie go?"
Stanley swiftly dispatched two intruders with ease, leisurely answering, "Don't bother. Mr. Russell needn't appear to deal with insignificant fools like you. As for Archie," Stanley paused, "he's dead."
The intruders now knew: they'd fallen into a trap. All their information was false; their planted agents likely exposed and removed. None would leave the residence alive. What terrified them even more was the danger to the Carrell family and Pete.
They had mobilized their forces to strike first against the Russells, but where was Stephan? Was he already leading a group against the Carrells? Pete was in grave danger!
That night promised unrest. The Carrell residence reeked of blood, filled with screams and pleas. Stephan turned the Carrell home upside down, but couldn't find Pete, a fact that elicited exasperated laughter. How was the man so good at hiding?
In the Carrell residence, Gabrielle collapsed, her face pale with terror. Trembling, she pleaded, "M-Mr. Russell, what did my son do to offend you? I apologize on his behalf. Please have mercy, spare us!"
Stephan, seated in a rosewood chair, exuded a chilling stillness. His handsome face was relaxed yet striking. He ignored Gabrielle's plea entirely.
His subordinates reported one by one: "Mr. Russell, the backyard has been searched. No sign of him." "Mr. Russell, we've checked the front. No one there." "Mr. Russell, we've searched everywhere; no trace."
Pete had vanished, as if into thin air. Since he wasn't there, he must be hiding elsewhere.
"Keep searching!"
Stephan stood, his eyes narrowing. He headed for the door, climbing into a waiting car. "We're going back!"