The Billionaire Heiress’s Silent Guardian

"So, you're just going to spend your life in this filthy place?"

The roar of helicopters echoed through the humid tropical rainforest, stirring up decaying leaves and a fishy smell that was nauseating. Victoria Gonzalez removed her sunglasses, her brow furrowed, and her gaze sharpened like a blade as it landed on the man in front of her—William Brown.

William wore a simple black tactical uniform, standing straight with a blank expression. In stark contrast to the surrounding chaos and humidity, he appeared remarkably dry and calm.

"William! I'm talking to you! Have you gone dumb staying on this island?" Her voice was sharp, filled with disdain and anger. "I gave up everything in Washington to come here with you, and you're content to be a prison guard?"

Behind her, several FBI agents, who were Victoria's subordinates, stood at attention, but couldn't help smirking. They had witnessed her complete many high-difficulty missions and naturally looked down on her fiancé, who was reduced to a prison guard.

"Warden..." Tyrant, William's deputy, clenched his fists, his bronze face tense, "This woman is too arrogant!"

William raised a hand, signaling Tyrant to calm down. The muscles on Tyrant's face twitched, but he eventually relented, lowering his head.

William's gaze shifted from the birds in the sky back to Victoria's face, his voice flat and devoid of emotion, "Are you done? If you're finished, you can leave. Making so much noise will disturb my guests."

"Guests?" Victoria laughed exaggeratedly, pointing at the dark prison nearby, "You mean those scum locked inside? William, you're really foolish! They're criminals! Trash!"

She stepped forward, practically poking the document in William's face, "Sign this." Her tone brooked no refusal. "The annulment agreement. From today on, we have nothing to do with each other."

Victoria lifted her chin, pride radiating from her, "By the way, I just captured an international S-class wanted criminal—the King of Assassins. The bureau has already issued a notice. Next month, I'll be the deputy director in the European division. What about you? Still worrying about whether your guests are eating well?"

A young agent behind her couldn't help but laugh, "Ms. Gonzalez, you can't say that. Mr. Brown is a Warden, managing so many people—he might be busier than the director!"

This comment sparked stifled laughter, and Victoria secretly reveled in it, wanting to step on William to finalize the wasted years of her youth.

However, William's reaction disappointed her. He didn't get angry or feel humiliated; he didn't even raise an eyebrow, merely watching Victoria with an amused expression, as if observing a play that had nothing to do with him.

"The King of Assassins?" William finally spoke, his tone laced with intrigue, "You caught him? How many people did he kill?"

Victoria's expression shifted slightly. Capturing the King of Assassins was her most glorious operation, but it was also the most painful; her elite team had lost nearly a third, and they had sacrificed a deputy leader.

"This is FBI confidential," she replied coldly.

William nodded, turning to walk back toward the imposing black prison.

"William! You haven't signed the agreement yet!" Victoria shouted from behind him.

William ignored her, walking at a leisurely pace.

As he entered the prison, the outside clamor was instantly silenced. The metallic corridor stretched straight ahead, flanked by reinforced glass cells. Though there were no iron bars, the atmosphere felt more oppressive than anywhere else.

The guards in the corridor stood at attention upon seeing William, not daring to breathe loudly. The scene inside the cells was even more eerie.

In the first cell, the human trafficker Butcher was filing his nails. Upon spotting William, he dropped his tool and shrank into the corner, trembling. Next door, the financier White Shark, responsible for collapsing three national economies, stood at attention, bowing his head respectfully.

Further down, the bloodied warlord Blood Diamond King also withdrew his fists, standing against the wall like a student. Even the mafia godfather Silver Snake was so startled that he rolled off his bed, scrambling to arrange his books neatly.

Even the arms dealer Iron Bear, who dared to challenge major governments, widened his eyes in alarm, his expression one of wariness.

William walked past, the only sound in the corridor being his footsteps. Those once capable of shaking the world now stood silent, each displaying a mix of awe and terror toward him.

Victoria and her team followed him in, stunned by the sight. They had captured numerous criminals but had never seen such fear and submission from notorious figures before.

William stopped in front of a cell at the end of the corridor. Inside, a frail man was bound to a chair with chains, covered in wounds, yet his gaze remained fierce as he stared at the door.

"Is he really the King of Assassins?" Victoria asked, unease creeping into her voice.

"Cyrus," William said flatly.

The man known as Cyrus flinched, lifting his head. Upon seeing William's face, the fierceness in his eyes vanished, replaced by primal fear.

"Warden..." His voice was hoarse, trembling with suppressed terror.

William ignored him, extending his foot to lightly press against Cyrus's knee. The sound of bones cracking echoed in the quiet corridor, and Cyrus let out a scream, only to stifle it, shaking in pain, cold sweat pouring down his face, yet he dared not utter another sound.

William withdrew his foot, his expression still calm. He turned to Victoria.

Victoria and her team remained frozen. The King of Assassins, who had cost the FBI dearly to capture, the one who had refused to yield, now couldn't even scream in William's presence?

What was going on?

William walked back to Victoria, taking the agreement and pen from her stiff hand, swiftly signing his name with a sharp, decisive stroke, "Your mission report must be wrong." He returned the agreement and pen to Victoria. "You're just a courier, responsible for safely delivering him to me."

"Now, you can leave."

Victoria mechanically took back the agreement, looking down at the name "William" on it. This name she had seen for five years now felt strangely foreign, even glaring.

"We're leaving!" Victoria turned abruptly, not looking back as she stormed out of the prison. Her team, pale-faced, hurriedly followed her.

The sound of the helicopter roared again, fading into the distance.

Tyrant approached William, spitting toward the sky, "Warden, you shouldn't let her off so easily!"

William didn't respond, turning to look at the "guests" in the corridor. They remained quiet, their eyes filled with the utmost reverence and fear.

To William, Victoria's departure was inconsequential.

Just then, a special vibration came from his pocket. William's eyes finally showed a hint of change as he pulled out a black communicator.

This was the highest-level communicator from Heavenly Punishment, which hadn't buzzed in five years. He pressed the answer button.

A hoarse, aged voice filled the line, commanding and authoritative.

"William."

"It's me."

"I have one last request for you."

William's pupils constricted slightly.

"Go to Atlanta," the aged voice continued, "Protect the girl from the Adams family, Nora Adams."

"How long?"

"Until the threat is neutralized, or she no longer needs you."

William remained silent for a moment before asking, "Reason?"

The other end fell silent too. After a long pause, a sigh was heard.

"This is the last favor you owe me."