Chapter 124: A Curse

"Mr. Chance, I didn't know it was you! If I had, I wouldn't have accepted the job!"

At the sight of Jared, Felix could only lower himself and apologize.

"Do you know me?" Jared asked, furrowing his brows.

Felix smiled awkwardly. "I saw you at Mr. Grange's banquet, where you defeated our leader."

"Since you know I beat Steven, shouldn't you be seeking revenge? Why are you being so courteous?" Jared was puzzled. The Templar Regiment and the Crimson Dragon Gang were bitter enemies, and he expected hostility after defeating their leader. Instead, Felix's respect bordered on sycophancy.

"Mr. Chance, you must be joking. Given your capabilities, I'd need a death wish to consider revenge," Felix explained frankly.

Jared, surprised by Felix's candor and skillful deflection, smiled.

"Then tell me, who wants me dead?" Jared asked.

"Xavier. He paid me a million," Felix said, revealing the truth without hesitation. His life was at stake; rules no longer applied.

Jared chuckled; his suspicions were confirmed.

After Jared left, Felix found himself drenched in sweat.

"Mr. Lawson, was our leader really defeated by that man? He looks far too young," one of the burly men asked, astonished.

Felix's expression hardened. "Tell the men: no one is to touch that bastard until our leader returns."

"Understood!" The four burly men nodded and spread the word.

Meanwhile, in the private room, Xavier and the others celebrated boisterously. Xavier and Zayne were particularly pleased to see Jared led away. Their jubilance was contagious.

After he'd had his fill, Xavier stood, waving his hand. "That's all for today. We have work tomorrow. I hope you all do your best for the department." His face was flushed from the alcohol.

His dismissal was met with immediate obedience.

"Jared isn't back yet. Aren't we waiting for him?" Hilda asked anxiously.

"Hilda, did you not hear Mr. Jennings? He ordered us home. Are you disobeying him?" Zayne roared.

Hilda looked anxious. She dared not defy Xavier, but worried about Jared's safety.

"Hilda, forget about him. Maybe he went home unnoticed. Let's go," Maria urged.

Hilda, resigned, went with them.

Meanwhile, Xavier smirked, muttering, "Jared will never return."

However, as they were leaving, the door opened, and Jared walked in.

"Jared?"

Everyone was stunned. They expected him to be badly beaten.

Xavier was especially shocked. Hadn't they agreed to eliminate Jared? Why was he here?

"Jared…" Hilda rushed to him.

"H-How did you come back?" Xavier stammered in disbelief.

Jared sneered. "Now that the matter is resolved, my return is natural. Mr. Jennings, were you hoping otherwise?"