Chapter 628

That had to be felt!

“Who could have done this?” Stanley murmured.

Stephan seemed to have anticipated this. He raised an eyebrow and casually replied, “Pete, from the Carrell family.”

“But what does Pete want with Johanna and Archie?” Stanley was even more confused. “A corpse and a defenseless woman—what use could they be to him?”

The situation was indeed puzzling.

Stephan walked to the windowsill and examined the fresh footprints. It wasn't difficult to deduce that the moment Pete realized he'd been discovered, he immediately fled the Carrell family estate. He sought refuge in the most dangerous, and therefore safest, place: the Russell residence—a bold, audacious move.

What Stephan couldn't understand was why Pete didn't use this opportunity to escape to an untraceable location. Was it truly to rescue Johanna? Or was his original target someone else? Perhaps, unable to find or capture his intended hostage, he settled for Johanna instead?

At this thought, murderous intent flared in Stephan's eyes. “He’d better hope he can hide for a lifetime, or he’ll die!”

Three hours earlier, Pete sat in a rosewood chair, cradling a delicate cat. He gently stroked its smooth, satin-like fur, and the cat purred contentedly. His phone rang.

It was a message from Archie, boasting of successfully obtaining the Russell family seal and seizing control. To eliminate potential obstacles, he needed Pete's help to stabilize the situation.

“Who would’ve thought this kid actually knows how to charm women?” Pete scoffed, pocketing his phone. He then instructed his subordinates, “Go ahead. Bring more men, find Stephan’s corpse, and bring it back to me. I want to see it myself. Also, when you see Archie, confirm the seal’s authenticity. If it’s real, kill him too.”

His tone was light and indifferent, as if discarding a useless tool. Pete smiled gently, a soft façade masking the menacing monster beneath. The cat on his lap, sensing the shift in atmosphere, struggled free, darting under the table and refusing to emerge. Pete's expression darkened.

The subordinate, fearing for his life, acknowledged the orders and hastily left. Car after car soon departed.

Once his subordinates were gone, Pete went alone to a rooftop terrace. Unlit and shrouded in darkness, only a faint, distant light illuminated a figure standing there—a man in a black robe, completely covered from head to toe.

“Sir,” Pete nodded slightly, his tone respectful yet cautious.

The man in black, hands clasped behind his back, said coldly, “Your subordinates are too careless. Those women you captured brought mercenaries, nearly exposing my location!”

Pete was surprised. “Impossible. I always check their backgrounds. How could they attract mercenaries?”

“Hmph! What about the mercenary I caught? He’s in my basement. And once I'm rid of him, there will likely be more.”

The man in black turned, his expression hidden. His tone grew colder. “Time is running out. I still need one last important ‘catalyst.’ This catalyst can only be summoned by the bronze bell!”