Late at night, at the police station.


    The office was dimly lit, only illuminated by the eerie glow of aputer screen ying a video of Avery being interviewed after his release on bail.


    Wayne, looking haggard and worn, stared at the screen. The ashtray beside him was overflowing with cigarette butts.


    His lips were a tight line, his fingertips trembling as he dialed Avery''s number.


    But, to his dismay, the call wouldn''t connect. Clutching his phone tightly, he felt his heart sink.


    Slumping onto the couch, Wayne closed his eyes, feeling a gut-wrenching despair envelop and tear at him.


    He had weathered countless storms and even had blood on his hands, but now, it felt like the darkest hour of his life.


    Four agonizing days passed.


    That night, Wayne received a call from the doctor in charge of his wife''s care at the hospital:


    "Wayne, your wife had a sudden turn for the worse tonight. Her condition is very unstable! You need toe to the hospital right away!"


    "Is my wife okay?!" Wayne shot up, grabbing his coat and heading out.


    "She''s in the emergency room right now. We can discuss the details when you get here."


    As Wayne ended the call, his hand paused on the doorknob.


    He was armed, but he knew that using his weapon could bring a world of trouble, possibly even leading the police straight to his secret dealings with Avery.


    The precinct''s rising star, Aaron, was making a name for himself with achievements that reminded Wayne of his younger days. Given time, Aaron would surely uncover their secret.


    But most importantly, Wayne couldn''t afford to cross Avery!


    Avery was a devil incarnate, a menace that would stop at nothing. Wayne knew he was ying with fire from the start, but he had no choice.


    He needed to save his beloved wife.


    So, Wayne returned to his desk, pulled a concealed de from the drawer, and swiftly left.


    Racing towards the hospital in his ck SUV, Wayne suddenly mmed on the brakes in an empty alley, the screeching noise piercing the night.


    A ck sedan blocked his way, with four men in ck and masks stepping out.


    To prevent any escape attempt, they had stretched a chain filled with spikes across the road. Any attempt to drive through would result in instant tire blowouts!


    Blood boiled in Wayne''s eyes as he reversed, hitting the car behind him and sealing off any retreat.


    He was trapped like an animal in a cage.


    Realizing he couldn''t escape his fate tonight, Wayne stepped out of the car, facing the menacing assassins. His hand reached for the de concealed at his back.


    "Director-General Wayne?" The leader spoke mockingly.


    "Are you Mr. Chambers'' men?" Wayne asked, though it sounded more like a statement.


    Avery was out on bail but still under police scrutiny.


    Moreover, Thaddeus and Evadne were relentlessly pursuing him, putting him in a precarious position.


    Now, it seemed Avery wanted to eliminate any loose ends.


    Wayne harbored no ill will towards Avery''s ruthlessness, but tonight was different.


    "It doesn''t matter whose men we are. What matters is, we''re here for you."


    The leader smirked. "We know you''re tough. But since we''re here, it means we''re not to be underestimated either.


    Make it easy on yourself, and it won''t be too painful."


    "I''d settle this with you, but not tonight." Wayne, desperate and determined, "My wife is critically ill. I need to be with her."


    "Such devotion to your wife, Director-General Wayne. Sadly, our orders are to not let you see the dawn. Let''s finish this!"


    As they moved in, the night turned darker, perfect for murder.


    Despite being a seasoned cop, Wayne was outmatched by these "hyenas." Even


    a lion couldn''t fend off such an attack.


    A de shed deeply into his arm, and another aimed for his face he couldn''t dodge in time!


    Suddenly, the attack halted, followed by a scream.


    The knife dropped, and the attacker''s wrist was brutally snapped!


    In the cold moonlight, Thaddeus, imposing and indomitable, stood before him like


    a guardian deity.


    "Are you alright?"


    Wayne was momentarily speechless. Thaddeus, the CEO of Abernathy Group, looked like a godsend,manding both fear and respect.


    "One of them is Thaddeus! The CEO of Abernathy Group!" a killer eximed.


    With Thaddeus'' unexpected appearance, the attackers were stunned. "He''s not part of the n!"


    The leader, driven by desperation, shouted, "If we don''t finish him tonight, we won''t get paid! Kill them all!"


    The killers advanced once more.


    "Go!" Wayne yelled at Thaddeus.


    But Thaddeus, with a slight smile and an aura of unstoppable determination, stood firm.


    "You''re a cop, and I''m a former soldier. In this moment, neither of us can afford to back down."