Chapter 4: Collecting Some Interest

As soon as Edward finished speaking, a sudden burst of gunfire erupted outside the hotel.

The shots came thick and fast, shaking the crystal chandeliers inside the hotel. The crisp sound of clinking glasses mixed with guests' screams, instantly throwing the entire hall into chaos.

"What the hell is going on?"

"Where are the bodyguards? Where did they all go!"

Edward immediately started cursing furiously, but the gunfire continued, and no one could answer his questions.

The guests scattered in panic. Victor lost his grip on his wine glass, the liquid spilling all over him. His expensive custom-made suit was stained with a large dark red patch, but he had no time to wipe it off.

Just then, with a loud bang, the hotel's solid wood door was kicked open. The door slammed against the wall, bounced back, and crashed heavily onto the floor.

Kevin stood there in black combat gear, his face completely expressionless.

Behind him were dozens of Specter Syndicate members, all dressed identically, moving in perfect formation.

As they entered, they fanned out, their guns all pointed at the Harris family's bodyguards.

"Drop your weapons. Move and we'll shoot you dead."

Kevin's voice wasn't loud, but it carried a chilling coldness that cut through the noisy hall with perfect clarity.

The Harris family bodyguards, who had been strutting around blocking James just moments ago, now faced the dark gun barrels. One by one, their faces turned pale, hands trembling so badly they could barely hold their weapons.

Someone tried to resist, but the moment he moved, a Specter Syndicate member smashed a gun butt into his wrist.

The man instantly screamed in pain, crouching on the ground clutching his wrist.

In less than half a minute, all the Harris family bodyguards were disarmed and controlled, arms twisted behind their backs, pressed to the ground. They didn't even dare to groan.

"Who, who are you people?"

Victor asked boldly, his face ugly, his voice unable to hide its trembling. His feet seemed nailed to the floor - he didn't dare move an inch forward.

Kevin didn't even lift an eyelid, completely ignoring his question.

He looked respectfully at James, his voice crisp and direct.

"Mr. Anderson, the perimeter is completely under our control. All the Harris family people in the hotel have been captured. Not one escaped."

James nodded, his fingertips casually rubbing his palm, his gaze sweeping lightly over the Harris family bodyguards collapsed on the ground, without the slightest ripple of emotion.

Seeing Kevin's respectful attitude toward James, Victor felt uneasy, a bad feeling rising in his chest.

He grabbed Edward, who was equally pale beside him, frantically asking.

"What's going on? What exactly do you people do?"

"He's just a homeless wanderer abandoned by his family. Why are you showing him such respect?"

Edward chimed in, his voice shaking uncontrollably.

"Exactly! James is just a homeless failure. You must have the wrong person! Let us go now. The Harris family is not to be messed with!"

Hearing this, Kevin kicked Edward hard, sending him sprawling on the ground. A mocking smile played at the corner of his mouth, his tone cold as ice.

"Homeless failure? Open your stupid eyes. Standing before you is Mr. Anderson of Specter Syndicate, The Reaper - feared worldwide."

"Specter Syndicate?"

Victor mumbled these words, his mind like it had been hit with a sledgehammer, instantly going blank.

Edward froze completely in place, eyes wide as saucers, the color draining from his face instantly. He even forgot to breathe.

"The Reaper? How is that possible? How could he be The Reaper?"

He couldn't believe that James, whom he'd always looked down on, was actually that ruthless figure that even top nations didn't dare provoke lightly. No wonder they'd taken down over twenty elite bodyguards in just a few seconds.

But, but how was this possible?

Victor and Edward instantly collapsed to the ground.

It's over. It's all over.

Completely finished!

Especially Victor - thinking of how he'd just threatened to kill James, his back was instantly soaked with cold sweat, clinging clammily to his body. Even his teeth started chattering.

Kevin looked at their devastated expressions, too lazy to waste more words. He lifted his chin at his subordinates.

"Watch them. Don't let these bastards scream and shout."

Two Specter Syndicate members immediately stepped forward, one holding Victor, one pinning down Edward.

They didn't even have the courage to struggle, could only let themselves be handled, making small whimpering sounds. Where was any trace of their earlier arrogance?

James walked forward slowly, looking down at Victor and Edward at his feet. His eyes held no warmth, as if looking at two soulless corpses.

"Now you know the price of crossing me?"

The hall instantly fell silent, only the guests' suppressed breathing could be heard.

After a long moment, James's mouth curved into a cold smile. His voice wasn't loud, but every word was clear, carrying throughout the entire hall.

"Ten years ago, you joined forces with Trevor and killed my parents. Now, I'm just here to collect some interest."

At these words, the hall erupted in commotion again. Although everyone knew what had happened back then, no one dared say anything.

After all, it's survival of the fittest. If anyone was to blame, it was Peter for not being able to beat Trevor.

But now, no one dared say this out loud. They all hid under tables in fear, not daring to make a sound.

Victor trembled all over. He wanted to argue back, but opened his mouth and couldn't get out a single word, his tongue seemingly tied in knots.

He never imagined James would be The Reaper.

No wonder, no wonder he'd survived those assassination attempts.

"James, no, The Reaper, I was wrong, I was really wrong!"

Edward scrambled up from the ground, crawling and rolling to James's feet, kneeling directly.

His knees hit the ground hard, turning red, but he felt no pain. He clutched James's leg desperately.

"It was Trevor, he forced me! I was just following orders. I didn't know anything. Please spare me, spare the Harris family!"

His forehead knocked against the marble, making dull thuds. Soon blood seeped out, mixing with cold sweat and running down his face. He looked utterly pathetic.

James looked down at Edward at his feet, his eyes showing not the slightest ripple, as if looking at a tail-wagging, begging dog.

He lifted his foot and gave a light kick, sending Edward sprawling. Edward fell to the ground and couldn't get up for a long time.

"Following orders?"

James sneered.

"The Harris family was so eager to curry favor with Trevor, so active in doing evil. Now you want to wash your hands of all responsibility?"

Victor and Edward's faces were ashen. They didn't dare say another word.

James stopped paying attention to them. His gaze fell on Caroline beside him, his eyes full of tenderness.

Ten years ago, Caroline had been such a lively, cheerful girl. But now she'd become like this.

He touched Caroline's head, his voice softening as he spoke quietly.

"I'm sorry. I came back too late."

Caroline had been clutching James's hand tightly. Her eyes reddened and she shook her head, too emotional to speak.