Chapter 10 Crossing The Line

• “Huh?”
• Utterly bewildered, I turned my head to look through the glass. Sure enough, a van was accelerating toward us from behind.
• Matthias gritted his teeth, shifting gears and stepping on the accelerator. The powerful sensation of being shoved back into my seat hit me in an instant.
• I clutched the handle above the passenger seat, my face a mask of panic.
• “Mr. Carlson, who have you managed to upset?”
• “It wasn't me but Mr. Hackett. He had a conflict with Paul Zablonski, one of Arnold's subordinates, a few days ago!”
• Matthias swiftly turned the steering wheel. Fortunately, there weren't many cars on the road that morning, and the road wasn't too slippery.
• With that, the Santana and the van engaged in a high-speed chase, showcasing a thrilling spectacle right there on the main road.
• Glancing at the rearview mirror, Matthias noticed the car tailgating closely behind him. He opened his mouth and cursed out loud, “F*ck, he's as clingy as super glue! Theros, there's a gun under your seat. Shoot him!”
• I immediately reached under my seat, feeling around until my fingers brushed against something hard and metallic. I pulled it out and was instantly dumbfounded by what I saw.
• In my hand was a modified piece, a shotgun with half its barrels removed!
• Upon noticing my daze, Matthias simultaneously maneuvered the steering wheel and yelled, “What are you looking at? Hurry up and roll down the car window to fire a couple of shots! If they force us to stop, we're done for!”
• I was jolted back to my senses by Matthias' shouting. Luckily, I had some experience with a similar firearm from my childhood days in the countryside when my uncle and I would go bird hunting. Although my aim wasn't very accurate, it was enough to intimidate people.
• Driven by the instinct to survive, I cast all caution to the wind. I rolled down the car window, leaned halfway out, and haphazardly pulled the trigger, firing off two shots at the van.
• As expected, the van suddenly swerved, changing its direction. Taking advantage of this opportunity, Matthias drove out of the city and arrived near an undemolished bungalow village.
• After Matthias parked the car, the gun in my hand still held residual warmth, and I was still in a state of shock.
• Only then did I realize my mistake—I had fired a gun in the city. If someone reported it, wouldn't I end up in prison again?
• It seemed as though Matthias could see my worries, for he assured me, “Don't be scared, Theros. They won't report us. Even if they did, Tigre's boss has connections with the authorities!”
• Matthias tossed me a cigarette. He seemed quite composed now, a stark contrast to his earlier frenzy during the car race. It was as if he were two different people!
• I exhaled a puff of smoke, asking in confusion, “Mr. Carlson, you said they're Arnold's men, right? Coming to our turf and stirring up trouble, isn't that crossing the line?”
• Matthias nodded. “I'll give Mr. Hackett a call first, see what he suggests!”
• After Matthias finished speaking, he promptly pulled out his phone and dialed Tigre. I took a quick look, noting that his phone must have cost at least four thousand!
• By the time I finished my cigarette, Matthias was also done with his phone call.
• “Mr. Hackett suggested we gather at Mr. Linus' place. This is a serious matter, so we'll have to see what Mr. Linus has to say about it!”
• With that, Matthias promptly drove off toward Linus' place.
• Half an hour later, Matthias' car pulled up in front of a karaoke lounge named Bellaros Karaoke.
• After we exited the car, Matthias turned to me and advised, “If I tell you to keep silent later, you shut your mouth, understand?”
• I nodded before following Matthias into the karaoke lounge. We ascended the stairs, making our way to the second floor.
• As I looked around the interior, I couldn't help but marvel at the luxury that wealth could bring. This was no ordinary karaoke lounge; it was the high-end kind designed for business talks, with accompanying entertainment.
• Upon reaching the second-floor office, Matthias knocked on the door before guiding me inside.
• Inside the room, two men were seated. One was Tigre, and the other was Linus, the big boss of the Dreamouth area gangs.
• Linus was not as I had imagined. I had assumed that such an impressive figure would have a fierce, intimidating appearance, adorned with a multitude of tattoos.
• Yet, the man before me was dressed in a suit as he played with a beaded bracelet. His temples were slightly graying, and he had a square face. He exuded a graceful and elegant air, making it hard to associate him with the image of a powerful gang leader.
• For a moment, Linus eyed me and Matthias intently, then he broke into a smile. “Matthias, Tigre mentioned that you guys were followed?”
• Matthias bowed in respect, his face stern as he replied, “That's right, Mr. Linus. I drove Mr. Hackett's car out, and immediately, a van started tailing us. They must have been staking out Saint Riveria Spa and thought Mr. Hackett was in the car!”
• Linus glanced at me and waved his hand, saying, “You're a newcomer, aren't you? No need to be formal around here; feel free to take a seat!”
• “Thanks, Mr. Linus!” I responded politely.
• However, since Matthias was standing, I didn't feel comfortable sitting.
• As they were discussing matters that had nothing to do with me, I couldn't be bothered to listen. I simply walked over to the aquarium and amused myself with the fish inside.
• There were nine gold-colored fish in the tank, each of considerable size. I didn't recognize the species, so I simply tapped my finger on the glass.
• Incredibly, those nine golden fish swam toward my finger all at once.
• Just as I was marveling at this extraordinary scene, a reprimanding voice cracked through the air.
• “Theros!”
• I quickly turned around to stand properly, only to see Tigre looking at me with a furrowed brow, his face a picture of anxiety. As for Linus, there was a slight chill in the gaze he directed at me.