Chapter 3 The Brightest Stars In The Sky

• The echo of the bald man's wailing filled their ears, leaving the burly men stunned for a good while before they could regain their senses. One by one, they charged at Frederick with shouts and cries.
• The bald man hadn't been able to see how Frederick had broken his leg.
• But this time, he saw everything clearly.
• Frederick dealt with seven opponents with ease, without even breaking a sweat.
• His fists, legs, knees, and elbows were all lethal weapons.
• His subordinates didn't even have a chance to resist. The moment they came into contact with Frederick, they started screaming in agony. This wasn't a fight, but a one-sided massacre.
• In less than fifteen seconds, all seven burly men were sprawled on the ground, clutching their legs and howling in pain.
• At that moment, the bald man stopped shouting, a look of terror etched on his face as he looked at the icy-cold man sitting before him.
• Among his group, there were a few who had a foundation in martial arts. However, even so, none of them had withstood a single move from Frederick.
• This man, who exuded an intimidating aura without showing anger, had become synonymous with the devil in the eyes of the bald man.
• “Stop, stop, I'll talk, I'll talk. It was all Mr. Lagos' doing. He ordered us to lock up that young girl. He also... sold her to Mr. Payne, but Mr. Payne hasn't arrived yet...”
• The bald man's voice trembled as he spoke. He dared not meet Finneas' gaze.
• Finneas' murderous intent intensified. In a deliberate and measured tone, he asked, “Where is she?”
• “She's... in a suite on the second floor!” The bald man quickly pointed toward the stairs leading to the second floor, then turned toward the dumbfounded waiter on the side. “What are you staring at? Hurry up and bring that little girl out here. Do you want me to die?”
• “Oh...”
• The waiter had long been stunned by the spectacle, but upon hearing the instructions, he quickly nodded, turned on his heel, and dashed toward the second floor.
• The waiter had just started climbing the stairs when a muffled sound echoed, and he tumbled down the stairs like a ball.
• “Did I raise you losers to betray me?”
• A middle-aged man donned in a black suit and sporting a goatee, emerged at the mouth of the stairs, flanked by two burly men.
• “Mr. Lagos!”
• Upon seeing the middle-aged man, the bald man trembled violently.
• “That little girl is your niece? You're Joaquin's brother who was away serving in the military for a decade?” Ignoring the bald man, the middle-aged man slowly took a seat across from Finneas. “I must say, I admire you. For a poor soldier like you to not hide away during these times, but instead step forward, that kind of bravery is commendable.”
• “Stand up or kneel!” A strong intent to kill flashed through Finneas' eyes. “When I'm seated, I don't like others sitting while talking to me.”
• “Interesting. I've seen crazy people, but not many as crazy as you.”
• As the middle-aged man's words fell, the two robust men behind him swiftly drew their handguns. The barrels were pointed directly at Finneas' head.
• The middle-aged man was known as Heath Lagos. He held a notorious reputation within the underground world of Hofcaster, effectively making him a formidable figure in the area.
• The words Finneas had spoken earlier had left him feeling quite uncomfortable.
• The look in Finneas' eyes, especially, made his heart pound wildly.
• That was why he was so eager to have his men show their guns. He intended to intimidate Finneas.
• “Over the years, not a single person who had the audacity to point a gun at my head has lived to tell the tale.”
• The chilling words of Finneas echoed in Heath's ears, causing a shiver to run down his spine.
• Finneas' voice seemed to possess a certain kind of magic, a magic that could penetrate to the very marrow of one's bones.
• In the next moment, before the two gunmen could react, Finneas swiftly reached out with both hands and broke their wrists.
• He then seized both individuals by their throats with each hand and ruthlessly crushed their necks.
• “You...”
• Heath was completely taken aback. The two individuals behind him were top-tier bodyguards he had hired at a high cost. Yet, they were instantly taken down by the unassuming man standing before him.
• Who exactly is he? D*mn it!
• Heath reacted swiftly. The moment he realized something was amiss, he turned around, intending to flee.
• However, he was still a beat too slow.
• Almost as soon as he stood up, Finneas appeared in front of him like a phantom. With a swift wave of his hand, he grasped his neck, effortlessly lifting him above his head with one arm.
• For a moment, Heath felt a sudden rush of discomfort, as if his blood was flowing in the wrong direction. His breathing became increasingly rapid, and his face turned an alarming shade of purple.
• “You've lost your right to live the moment you pointed a gun at me.”
• Finneas' eyes were filled with hostility, and his tone caused Heath to shiver.
• “Stop! Let him go, or I'm going to shoot!”
• Just as Finneas was planning to kill Heath, a woman's voice rang out, out of nowhere in the hall.
• Following that, a woman decked out in a police uniform sauntered in, cradling a gun in her hands. The barrel of the gun was aimed directly at Finneas.
• Behind the policewoman, there were another four or five officers.
• “Help! He's trying to kill me!”
• In the past, whenever Heath encountered the police, he would instinctively harbor animosity. But now, he viewed them as his saviors, his legs suspended in the air, thrashing about wildly.
• Heath's cries for help had no effect whatsoever.
• In front of the female officer, Finneas slapped him on the back of his neck.
• Heath's eyelids fluttered, and then he passed out, unable to utter a word.
• “How dare you...”
• Roxanne could have never imagined in her wildest dreams that the man would be so audacious, treating her as insignificant and daring to behave violently in her presence.
• She gritted her teeth, ready to pull the trigger, yet unexpectedly, Finneas and Heath vanished into thin air.
• Frederick, standing off to the side, had long since disappeared as well.
• “This is utterly insane!” Looking at the two corpses on the ground and the constant wailing of a few people, the policewoman clenched her fists. “I'll catch you even if you flee to the ends of the earth!”
• Somewhere on the second floor, a little girl was bound and gagged. She was huddled in a corner with her arms wrapped around her knees, shivering with fear.
• She was Suzannah, Joaquin's daughter and Finneas' niece.
• The haunting images of her parents' tragic deaths kept replaying in her mind, filling her with immense fear.
• “Daddy, Mommy...”
• Suzannah's eyes were tinged with red as tears ceaselessly rolled down her cheeks.
• Both her parents had passed away, and she felt as if her whole world had crumbled.
• In the next instant, the door swung open, and two dark figures darted across swiftly.
• Suzannah didn't even have time to react before everything went dark, and she passed out.
• By the time she regained consciousness, she realized she had already left the room that had once imprisoned her.
• She rubbed her eyes, only to see a crystal casket on each side of her.
• Seated across from the two caskets was a man.
• “Who... are you?” Suzannah asked cautiously in a soft voice.
• “My name is Finneas Lockwood,” the main said gently.
• Suzannah wore a puzzled expression as she looked at Finneas. The name sounded somewhat unfamiliar to her, yet it also rang a bell.
• The man wasn't in a hurry. He slowly said, “I have a brother. His name is Joaquin Lockwood.”
• “That's my daddy.” Suzannah's courage grew slightly. She moved forward half a step and asked timidly, “Are you... my uncle?”
• A wave of warmth surged within Finneas when he heard the word “uncle.” He turned to look at Suzannah and said, “Yes, I'm your uncle.”
• Suzannah gazed at the man standing before her, who bore a striking resemblance to her father, and in that instant, all her strength crumbled away.
• She threw herself into Finneas' arms, breaking into uncontrollable sobs.
• Finneas reached out and held his only family in this world in his arms.
• “Uncle Finneas, I'm really scared...” Suzannah said, trembling with fear.
• The experiences of the past few days had been far too cruel and terrifying for a six-year-old girl.
• “Don't be scared. From now on, I will be here. No one will ever hurt you again,” Finneas comforted, gently patting Suzannah's back.
• “Uncle Finneas, will Daddy and Mommy wake up again?” Suzannah asked with teary eyes, not fully comprehending the true meaning of death due to her young age.
• A shudder ran through Finneas' body. He recalled the words Joaquin had told him in their childhood.
• “If you ever miss your daddy and mommy, just look up. They are the brightest stars in the sky. They're always watching over you and blessing you from the heavens, and they will never leave you.”
• “Mm.”
• Suzannah nodded heavily, burying her head once more in Finneas' chest, sobbing softly.
• Soon, she fell asleep.
• Finneas turned his head, his eyes bloodshot as they swept over Frederick. In a cold voice, he commanded, “Bring Heath to me!”