The Dragonshade Society wanted to eliminate the possibility that Riley might one day kill them. So, they decided to take her out first.


    The thought filled me with rage. The Dragonshade Society was just awful! How could they go after a child over something that might never even happen?


    Just then, Quintus walked over. "Mr. White, I need to talk to you."


    I arched an eyebrow and followed him to a quiet spot.


    Quintus wasn''t the type to talk much. If he had something to say, it was bound to be important.


    As expected, his words floored me. He said, "I just got a call from a friend in the underworld. Apparently, The Dragonshade Society pulled some strings with some big shots and got those two off the hook. So, they''re about to walk free."


    I said in disbelief, "Sure, we didn''t obtain enough evidence to convict them. But shouldn''t they at least be held for a day during the investigation? How could they just be released like that?"


    Quintus sighed. "It looks like The Dragonshade Society pulled out all the stops for those two."


    I was at a loss for words.


    Those two men were practically nobodies, yet The Dragonshade Society went to great lengths for them. That could only mean one thing-they must know something big. If that secret ever got out, it would cost them dearly.


    The thought made me narrow my eyes.


    If that were really the case, I wouldn''t mind letting them go. In fact, this might even work out in my favor.


    The phone rang shortly after I got back. With that, those two kidnappers were released without charges.


    Lynn''s eyes widened at the sight. She held onto Riley and snarled. "How could you just let them leave like that? You''re being so irresponsible!"


    I didn''t want her to make things worse. So I pulled her into an empty office and tried to exin.


    After I finished, Lynn''s face went


    pale. She muttered despairingly, t must have been Hugo Dalton! He''s the current leader of the Dragonshade Society, but he''s a maniac!"


    She shook with fear at the mention of Hugo.


    I didn''t know who Hugo was, but I could tell he would be troublesome. After all, he could kill Elijah and ended up leading The Dragonshade Society!


    I reassured her, "Don''t worry. I''ll protect you."


    However, Lynn just shot me a cold look. It was clear she still held a grudge and didn''t believe me.


    I had nothing to say. If I were to tell her that I was the second heir of the White family from Gothville, she would probably take it out on me.


    As we stepped outside, we spotted Mark, who had been released without charge.


    I called out to him. "Hey, wait up." walked


    "Thaner to him and said,


    for saving Riley. I''ll give


    you


    ten thousand dors as a token of appreciation."


    "There''s no need for that," Mark replied firmly.


    With a righteous look, he said, "I didn''t save her for the money. Even if she were poor and couldn''t give me a dime, I''d still save her. But when you offer me money, it feels like you''re looking down on me!"


    His words caught me off guard, making me feel like he was the hero and I was the viin.


    I chuckled. "If you''re so righteous, then why are you working for Maximus? Last night, you even helped him bully Lynn. Where was your sense of justice then?"