Brenton felt a chill run down his spine, a primal sense of fear creeping in. He offered a sheepish grin, not daring to show any anger towards the notorious enforcer known as the "Butcher of Brooklyn."


    Rooted to the spot, Brenton chose not to advance but instead gazed towards James from afar, his expression tinged with reverence, "James, now that you''re here, how about we head to my ce for a cup of joe?"


    He had wanted to chat with James ever since he had paid his respects at the Bishop family estate. But, wrapped up in other affairs at the time, he missed the chance. Today, when his men told him James had dropped by Toby''s joint, Brenton simply couldn''t stay put.


    Despite discovering histe father had secretly fathered an illegitimate son for decades-a son who didn''t seem to amount to much-Brenton found it fascinating that this half-brother was somehow mixed up with the scion of the Shepherd n.


    After all, the Bishops were in disarray, particrly within the underground syndicates where sharks circled for a bite. In such times, Brenton knew better than to ignore even the slightest rustle in the wind.


    James nced at Brenton impassively, his piercing eyes and frosty demeanor exuding an intimidating chill that made people avert their gaze.


    Brenton clenched his fist, then turned to look at his own crew. Despite their tough exteriors, none seemed to hold a candle to Curtis.


    Toby''s eyes were downcast as he poured another cup of coffee for James. Then he strolled over to Brenton, his half-brother Emmitt, and coolly said, "Given that I''m entertaining a distinguished guest, I''ll let it slide. Take a hike, Brenton."


    Brenton snorted as if he''d just heard the year''s funniest joke. "You? Holding a grudge against me? Who do you think you are, chopped liver?"


    "Where does a bastard get off feeling so high and mighty?" Brenton scoffed.


    Toby''s hand, hanging by his side, clenched briefly, a flicker of disgust crossing his face before vanishing just as quickly.


    "It seems you''re just looking for trouble," Toby sighed, then walked away, picking up a smartphone from the table.


    Brenton frowned, suddenly feeling like he couldn''t quite read this illegitimate brother of his. The guy was a nobody, yet he spoke with such arrogance. Was it because James from the Shepherd family was present that he felt so emboldened?


    Or was there some unknown deal between him and the Shepherds that Brenton wasn''t privy to?


    Pondering over this, Brenton turned to James and said, "James, this brother of mine is nothing but a powerless bastard without a im to the name. You''re just wasting your precious time here with him."


    Toby set down the phone, settled back into his chair, and leisurely stirred his coffee, exuding a profound indifference to the world around him.


    "My apologies for the disturbance today, James," he said, ncing at the group standing in the hall before turning to James.


    James lifted his coffee cup, "Disturbed is hardly the word. More like a minor annoyance."


    Brenton: "..."


    Toby offered a slight smile and replied, "Just give it two minutes."


    Their conversation, seemingly oblivious to the others, made Brenton''s frown deepen, especially since Toby''s words seemed loaded with hidden meaning.


    Before he could delve deeper, his cellphone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out


    to see a call from one of his managers and stepped aside to take it.


    Pressing the answer button, an anxious voice quickly filled his ear, and in an instant, Brenton''s face turned ashen.