Joshua''s infiltration was proceeding smoothly. To avoid detection, he had brought only a small, elite team. He preferred to work alone, so he had sent his men to search for Abby while he scouted ahead.


    As he moved through the quiet darkness, his instincts suddenly screamed. He stopped, turning his head slightly. A tall, imposing figure stood in the shadows nearby.


    Joshua''s feet stilled. "Leonard?"


    Leonard stepped out of the darkness. "Ate-night visit, Mr. Gardner? To what do I owe the pleasure?"


    Seeing him, Joshua understood. "Ah, so Mr. Lerman was waiting for me. Did someone tip you off?"


    A cold, sharp smile formed on Leonard''s lips. "There are plenty of people in Ste''s circle who don''t like you. Or perhaps... Ste has finally discovered your true identity and wants me to dispose of you for her."


    Whatever Joshua''s purpose, whatever side he was on, he was a dead man. Ever since Joshua had tried to assassinate him in the hospital, their fates as enemies had been sealed. Leonard would never allow the man who had nearly killed him to live.<fn01da> Checktest chapters at find?novel</fn01da>


    "It''s true, I''m not well-liked," Joshua said with an air of casual indifference. "But if she wanted me gone, she''d do it herself. Using you to eliminate me..." He gave a disdainful smirk. "You''re not worthy."


    Leonard''s eyes zed with murderous intent. "Still talking tough when you''re about to die. The fact that I''m here waiting for you should tell you everything you need to know. The trap is set." He smiled, a chilling, humorless expression. "All that''s left is to catch the rat."


    Joshuaughed softly. "A trap? But who is the trap, and who is the rat? Leonard, what do you think I came here to do? You don''t really believe I''m here for Abby, do you?"


    A dark, knowing smile touched Joshua''s face. "I came to the Lerman estate for you, Leonard. I should thank whoever tipped you off. Without them, finding you would have taken a lot more time and effort. I never expected Mr. Lerman himself would be so kind as to deliver himself to me."


    "You''re all talk..." Leonard sneered.


    Before he could finish, his pupils contracted violently. A single, sharp gunshot shattered the night.


    **BANG!**


    Leonard instinctively jerked to the


    side. A bullet seared past his ear, the heat of it stinging his skin. He


    reached up and his fingers camo


    away wet with blood. The shot had


    torn a chunk from his earlobe. What was wors he realized with a jolt of terror, was that if he hadn''t moved, that bullet would have been in his head.  s


    Joshua smiled, a bright, cheerful expression that was utterly terrifying. "That was


    a close one. I almost killed you."


    Leonard realized he was dealing with a madman, one who would open fire without warning.


    "Joshua," he snarled, "you are not leaving here alive!"


    As he spoke, the sound of footsteps echoed from the surrounding shadows. But Joshua remained


    perfectly calm. He simply took out small detonators content belongs t? s


    **BOOM!**


    A massive explosion erupted from the heart of the Lerman Manor. The shockwave and intense heat sent the ambushers stumbling for cover. The st was so close it left them disoriented, their ears ringing.  s


    When the dust settled and Leonard managed to recover, he found himself staring


    into a pair of cold, merciless eyes.