?Chapter 1122:


    “Shit!” The bearded man hissed out a frustrated breath. What was with him making such a freaking spectacle? His whole world? What the hell kind of melodrama was this?


    Scanning the room, he realized his own people were gone. His pulse stuttered. “Where are my guys?” he demanded, his voice scraping out rougher than before.


    “What the fuck did you do with them?”


    “They’re not hurt—just knocked out and locked away. If I hadn’t needed two of them to bring you my message, there wouldn’t be a soul left standing in this ce,” Ellis replied tly, only letting out a breath once he saw Freya unharmed. “Did you really have to take it this far?”


    “You started it,” Ellis retorted sharply.


    The bearded man grimaced, shame finally creeping in.


    He shuffled aside and shot Freya a sincere apology. “This one’s on me. I just wanted to mess with Ellis, see how he’d react if someone got his girl. Never thought things would blow up like this.”


    Freya’s gaze flickered toward Ellis, her own feelings secondary as long as Ellis wasn’t in danger.


    “If you’re actually sorry, let me see the new toys you’ve been bragging about,” Ellis drawled as he sauntered closer, his tone nonchnt yet sharp-edged. “I’m tired of hearing your apologies. Show me something interesting.”


    The bearded man nearly choked on his own annoyance. Why was Ellis still driving him insane like this?


    “If you’re not going to hand over the weapons, then at least give me your card.” Ellis had never gone easy on him. “I didn’te all this way just to leave empty-handed—I need something to show for it.”


    The bearded man didn’t hesitate; he waved one of his men over and had him hand his bank card to Freya.


    Ellis epted it on her behalf, tucking it away with a casual flick of his wrist.


    The whole incident fizzled out like a bad joke.


    L??t??τ ?h??ρτ?rs ιn g??l??ov?l??.??оm


    While the bearded man trudged off to gather the equipment, Freya probed for details. Once Ellis assured her they were all on rtively good terms, the tension in her shoulders eased.


    “That’s Laird Singh—the guy I told you about,” Ellis exined, watching her closely. “Three hundred fifty missions, zero failures. He’s End’s living legend.”


    Freya’s eyes narrowed thoughtfully. “I thought so.”


    They’d crossed paths in apetition once, but with all the forest maneuvering, she’d never managed to see his face.


    She’d left before the awards ceremony, so his features remained a mystery. Ellis, catching her subtle relief, added, “You’re safe. I know Laird—he’s got his quirks, but he never crosses the line. Next time someone pulls a stunt like this, just take them out. I’ll handle the fallout.”


    Freya’s lips curled into a faint smile. “Sure.”


    As soon as Ellis received that photo, he recognized the emblem stamped in the corner—it was Laird’s base.


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