Betrayed, Then Back For Blood

After hacking into the surveillance cameras at the entrances and exits of the abandoned steel mill, as well as

those around the parking lot, Briar soon spotted the car that had just driven in.

The car was parked near what resembled a basement entrance, illuminated only by a faint glow from a dim

streetlight. If Briar hadn't searched so thoroughly, she might have overlooked it.

+33

“Got it,” Briar said with a smile as she hit the “enter” key. The screen split into a dozen smaller windows, and in

one of them, she saw the unmistakable figure of Hayden in a wheelchair.

Reece leaned over to get a better look at the footage. “Looks like they're about to head into the basement. Is the

lab really down there?” he asked.

Hamish nodded and said, “Yeah, it seems like they're going downstairs. If there's a secret lab here, hiding it in

the basement is probably the only way it wouldn't get discovered.”

Ashton just tilted his head and looked at Briar, who was eager to make a move. “Let’s confirm their exact

location first and have someone keep an eye on them. We'll cback for them tomorrow after we've had some

rest,” he said.

It was already late, and no one knew the situation inside the underground lab. There was no way Ashton would

let the girl just get out of the car and try to catch them now.

Briar knew there was no room for negotiation, so she obediently nodded. “Alright, we'll cback tomorrow.

Now that we've found their hideout,

there's no way they're running away,” she said.

Even after they drove off, the guards watching over the abandoned steel mill didn’t notice a thing.

An hour and a half later, their car pulled up in front of the five-star Victoria Hotel. The hotel manager hurried

over, opening the car doors with a respectful bow. “Welcome, Mr. Wade, Mr. Goodwin, Mr. Hamish, Miss Jennings,

Brandon,”

“Are the rooms ready? We're exhausted,” Bradon said.

The manager nodded and said, “All the rooms are ready. Please cwith me.”

The Victoria Hotel had dozens of branches all over Qathana. It was also one of Ashton’s many overseas

businesses.

The manager had once worked directly under Ashton before being sent to Qathana three or four years ago. Now,

seeing his boss again, he was very

excited.

If it weren't for Ashton’s overwhelming aura, he honestly wanted to rush over, cling to Ashton’s leg, and bawl,

“Mr. Wade, do you still remember the loyal dog you kicked out back then?”

Everyone knew that even though Ashton owned a ton of businesses, those of them who had been “exiled” to far-

off places rarely got any favor from him.

They were like a bunch of kids who had just been weaned and tossed out by their dad, forced to make it on their

own in the big, wide world.

He had thought that being sent abroad would mean living a life filled with gunfire and action. However, it turned

out that Ashton’s influence overseas was so strong that most local troublemakers would consciously avoid their

dozens of chain hotels whenever they stirred up trouble.

With all his skills going to waste, he could only vent his frustration at the gym after work every day.

The rooms prepared for them were the hotel's private suites, occupying the entire top floor. The place was

several times more extravagant than the presidential suite, and all of it had been specially set up by the

manager just to curry favor with Ashton.

‘After four whole years, it’s finally getting put to use. What a long wait!‘ the manager thought.

After leading Ashton and the others into the suite, the manager didn’t leave. Instead, he lingered awkwardly by

the door, wringing his hands like a timid girl.

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Brandon knew exactly what these “exiled” underlings were thinking, but trying to act all coy with Ashton was

just asking to get smacked with the back of his hand.

He glared at the manager, but the manager just pretended to be blind and acted like he didn’t see a thing.

Ashton caught the manager's hopeful expression and let out a helpless laugh. “You got something to say? If not,

then scram!” he said.

“Mr. Wade, how long will you be staying this time? The others heard you're in Qathana and are all rushing over

from everywhere!” The manager, seeing a chance, piped up eagerly. “Everyone’s been missing you like crazy.”

Ashton was at a loss for words, thinking, ‘This guy’s clingy, fawning act was even more authentic than Briar’s."

“Looks like life's been a breeze for you guys out here, huh? Maybe | haven't given you guys enough to do,”

Ashton said.

He knew that ever since he had sent these guys overseas, he had barely checked in on them. And when this guy

said he missed him, it wasn't really about missing Ashton himself but just that he was worried Ashton would

forget about them for good.

The manager chuckled and said, “Not at all! We're busy every day. However, no matter how swamped we are,

we can always make tto see you.”

Ashton waved his hand and said, “Alright, enough with the flattery. Go tally up how many people are coming with

Brandon. | know you all haven't stretched your muscles in a while. Once the sun’s up, I'll take you guys out for

saction.”

The manager's eyes lit up. “Mr. Wade, who do you want to take down? How much firepower do you need? I'll get

someone to bring it over right away,” he

said.

Judging by Ashton’s tone, it sounds like things are going to get bloody. It's so exciting and thrilling,” the manager

thought.

Brandon really couldn't take it anymore and dragged the manager away. “You brat, just zip your mouth,” he

scolded.

Briar, Reece, and Hamish exchanged glances, then burst out laughing. Briar grinned and asked, “Ashton, were all

your guys used to serve on the border or something? They're even more battle-hungry than lan.”

Reece nodded repeatedly. “Battle-hungry? They're downright starved for a fight. How long have they been kept

on a leash like this?” he asked.

Hamish said, “I know this. Ever since Ashton started running things here, his guys probably haven't even gotten

their hands on a real gun in three or four

years.”

‘Damn! Putting a bunch of guys like that in a peaceful part of Qathaha is like giving them cigarettes without a

lighter. They could only look but not smoke. What difference does it make?‘ Reece thought.

Ashton didn’t intend to continue with this topic. He brought Briar away and said to his two friends, “Let's get

srest. We'll deal with everything else

tomorrow.”

Ashton pulled Briar into the room, and when she saw there was only one king-sized bed, she raised an eyebrow

and asked, “Ashton, there’s only one bed. Where are you gonna sleep?”

Ashton stumbled a bit. “Babe... We're in a foreign land.. Are you going to makesleep on the floor?”

Briar had already walked over to the closet, opened it, and pulled out a blanket. “Of course | am. Because | know

you'd never letsleep on the floor myself.”

And just like that, Ashton was banished to the floor by Briar on their first night together in Qathana.

Meanwhile, the others who received the manager's call and heard that Ashton was going to take them on a

rampage were rushing over as fast as they could. There was no way they were going to let a golden opportunity

like this slip by.

At the lab ir, the abandoned steel mill, Hayden teased, “Sweetheart, you actually know this stuff?”

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Chapter 213

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BS]

After being thoroughly “served” by his girlfriend on the plane and coaxed with just a few sweet words, Hayden

ended up agreeing to take her on a tour of the lab.

But he never expected her to know so much about biological research. Hayden couldn't help thinking he had

picked up a real gem.

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Chapter 214

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