Leaving Lowell behind to handle the aftermath was to protect them.


    Lowell understood Tarquin''s meaning and nodded. "Don''t worry about a thing. I''ll handle everything here."


    Tarquin finished packing, put on his jacket, and said with a cold face, "As soon as I''m gone, have the guards move in. Everyst one of his spies-take them out."


    "Got it. You be safe."


    Just as Tarquin left, Lowell''s phone rang. It was one of the bodyguards.


    “Lowell, Dane''s in trouble. A man named Kuban is using his brother to threaten him, trying to force information out of him."


    Lowell''s brow tightened. "Is Diaz hurt?"


    "He''s been kidnapped by Kuban''s aplices."


    Lowell was seething. "What kind of watch were you keeping?"


    “Kuban is a friend of Dane''s," the guard exined helplessly. “He went straight to Dane''s house. We were caught off guard and couldn''t risk a confrontation.”


    Lowell frowned. "I''m on my way now. Find a chance to rescue the kid. Don''t hold back. As long as Dane and Diaz are safe, you do what you have to do. Break bones you have to."


    if


    He was filled with a burning rage and needed an outlet.


    The mysterious figure was nowhere to be found, but his informants were all Zhinorians. Coborating with the devil to harm their own countrymen what were they if not traitors? And there was nothing more despicable than a traitor.


    As evening fell, just as Tarquin arrived at the airport, he received a call from a spoofed number. It was the mysterious figure.


    "You''d barely left town when Lowell started taking out my informants. What''s he so worked up about? Or is it you who''s angry?"


    The mysterious figure had kept a constant watch on Tarquin, who had always ignored it. This sudden retaliation was unexpected.


    Tarquin was on edge, his tone harsh. "Tell your people to get lost. From now on, I find one, I deal with one."


    The man''s electronically altered voice chuckled. "What''s all this? Feeling bold now that you''ve found the 8th-generation virus? Or did someone just piss you off?"


    "Cut the crap,” Tarquin said coldly. "If you have the guts,e find me yourself. If not, then back off."


    The man chuckled again. “Oh, I''ll definitelye find you once you have the virus. The question is, will you have the courage to tell me when you do?"


    He was fishing for information. Tarquin couldn''t be bothered and


    was about to hang up when the man find


    suddenly added, "Tarin, if Yust


    the 8th generation virus, you a


    tell me immediately. It''s not just for my sake, but for your own as well."


    "We have all the time in the world to y this game with each other, but some people can''t afford to wait. m afraid if you tell me toote,


    be


    have been tortured to death by me."


    "You care about him so much. If he dies because you failed to save him, if you don''t


    even get to see him onest time, you''ll be devastated."


    Tarquin''s expression froze. "Who are you talking about?!"


    The voice was dangerously smooth. "Someone you care about. Someone you


    value. Someone you miss very, very much."


    Tarquin froze.


    "If you want more information about him," the man continued, "trade me a clue about


    the 8th-generation virus. If you find it soon enough, you might even be able to save his life."


    Before Tarquin could say anything, the line went dead.


    Tarquin''s brow was deeply furrowed, his breathing ragged. He tried to call back, but the number was virtual and unreachable.


    His face darkened. For a moment,


    he couldn''t think who the man could


    possibly be talking about. But he knew this wasn''t a bluff to get the Virus from him, the man would have long ago prepared the perfect leverage. This person he was talking about had to be real.


    But who was it?