<b>Chapter </b><b>165 </b>


    Hamish and Reece exchanged a look, both of them visibly uneasy. After all these years of friendship, no one knew each other’s temperaments batter than they did.


    Right now, Ashton’s expression was dark, and he was clearly furious.


    However, with Briar still present, he was forcing himself to keep his anger in check. Hamish and Reece both knew the more Ashton bottled it up, the scarier it would be when he finally exploded.


    Just as Hamish and Reece were debating whether to step in, Briar reached out and gently patted Ashton’s hand. Her eyes curved into azy, charming smile as sheforted, “Ashton, don’t be mad.”


    Ashton’s icy demeanor melted away instantly, and he replied, “Alright, I’m not mad anymore.”


    Hamish and Reece were left speechless as they collectively wondered, ‘Wait, what? He’s not mad anymore? Just like that?


    ‘Isn’t it a little too easy to calm Ashton down?‘


    Even though Ashton wasn’t upset anymore, it didn’t mean they could overlook the issue. After he had peeled a whole bowl of shrimp for Briar and ced it in front of her, he removed his disposable gloves and turned to Hamish and Reece. He stated, “Now that we understand what happened, we’ll handle it properly. We always make sure things are fair, and there will be no favoritism.”


    Hamish, who was sipping his soup, nearly choked and began coughing.


    He wondered, ‘Fair and square?


    ‘With no favoritism?


    ‘Who is he talking about? Is he referring to us?‘


    As they were in front of Briar, Reece had to fight back augh. He cleared his throat and replied, “Yeah, that’s right. We’re huge fans of maintaining peace.”


    “Since we’re all preserving peace now, what’s the n?” Hamish asked with a hint of doubt. ‘We’re not seriously just going to have a friendly chat with the Jennings family and call it a day, right?‘ he thought.


    Ashton ignored Hamish and switched topics, “I heard Archie just opened a fancy new club.”


    Hamish got the hint right away and replied, “Yeah, he did. How about we swing byter and have some fun?”


    Ashton looked at Briar and asked, “Do you want to go? We could y a few games of pool.”


    Of course, there was way more than just the pool at the club, but with how pure Briar was, the other activities weren’t for her.


    Briar blinked in surprise as she responded hesitantly, “I’ve never tried it. I don’t know how.”


    “I’ll teach you,” Ashton said. It didn’t surprise him one bit as Briar was never one for noisy crowds.


    Briar nodded in agreement, “Sure.”


    With that, Reece called Archie and informed him they’d being byter to hang out, and requested that he reserve a priv


    m for them.


    Archie hadn’t expected Reece and the others to show their support, but he immediately agreed and promised to save <b>the </b><b>very </b>best <b>room </b><b>for </b><b>them</b>.


    After the call, Reece and the group went back to joking around, and not one of them noticed the sh of killing intent in Briar’s eyes as she quietly ate <b>her </b>


    meal.


    Tue<b>, </b>19 Aug


    The screenshotsn had sent her didn’t just expose Beatrice as the one who hired the hitman. It also revealed the one who feally orchested things the person who told Beatrice about hiring a killer on the international ck market. That person was none other than Arclue.


    To be honest, Beatrice was a bit too unconventional. It was one thing to be friends with Le, but she really wanted to use that friendship in connect, with the Haynes family.


    In the end, she was used as a tool, a target, without even realizing it.


    After finishing their meal, the four of them drove to Archie’s club.


    Archie hadn’t nned on being at the club tonight, but after getting Reece’s call, he rushed back at thest minute.


    As soon as Ashton and the others pulled into the club’s parking lot, they saw Archie stepping out of his car with Le and Beatrice following close behind.


    Briar cocked a mischievous eyebrow at Le, whose face changed the moment she saw her. ‘Well, talk about perfect timing, she thought, a wicked little smirk tugging at her lips.


    She’d just been racking her brain for an excuse to deal with Archie, and Le had practically delivered herself right to her doorstep.


    As for Beatrice, who was trailing after Le and ring at her like she was some mortal enemy. Briar just scoffed inwardly, ‘Please. You’re not <b>even </b><b>worth </b>my attention.”‘


    As Briar had already outsourced that 66 thousand dor job, there’s no way she was going to bother getting <i>her </i>own hands dirty.


    Archie spotted the group and he strode over with a big grin, greeting everyone one by one. “Mr. Wade, Mr. Parkinson, Mr. Goodwin, Miss Jennings. Wee, wee!”


    Archie wasn’t yet the leader of the Haynes family, but he was already gaining a sense of how things worked within the family business. He spent most of his time and effort there, while this club was more of a hobby for him. It was an enjoyable project that allowed him to establish his presence and make connections in the underground scene.


    When facing someone like Ashton, who already called the shots for his family, Archie knew to be extra polite. After all, theirpanies may <b>work </b>together in the future. He was smooth enough even to make sure Briar, who was standing beside Ashton, received a respectful greeting too.


    As Reece was the one who usually handled these situations, he put on his usual easygoing grin, “Archie, there’s no need to be <b>so </b>formal. We’re just here to rx for a bit after dinner. Honestly, Ashton just wanted somewhere quiet to spend some time with his girlfriend.”


    Archie nodded enthusiastically in response, “Of course, of course! It’s way too rowdy outside at this hour. Please,e on in. I’ve already had the best private room prepared for you. I’ll make sure you all have a great time tonight.”


    With that, he led them into the club.


    As Ashton hadn’t even spared Le and Beatrice, who were tagging along, a nce, Archie wasn’t about to awkwardly introduce them.


    He shot his sister a look, telling her to take her friend and have fun on their own.


    Many exclusive clubs only allow members to enter, but Reece had enough influence that the staff quickly created membership cards for both him and Hamish. On the other hand, Ashton was <i>not </i>interested. If he wasn’t visiting with Briar, there was no chance he would evere at all!


    Once they reached the luxurious private <i>room</i>, Archie made sure everything was set up with a variety of drinks and fruit tters. After a few more pleasantries, he excused himself and left.


    “So, what do you think, Briar? It’s not bad, huh?” Reece, who was already holding <b>a </b>ss of wine, grinned at her. The private room <b>offered </b>various entertainment, along with a dedicated waiter and bartender. He nced over at Briar, who was sitting off to the side, as she checked <b>out </b>the ce.


    Briar nodded in response, “Yeah, it’s alright”


    Hamish grabbed Ashton and dragged him over to the pool table, insisting they y a round right away. Ashton didn’t object<b>, </b>and the two of them were


    <b>10:50 </b><b>Tue</b><b>, </b><b>19 </b><b>Aug </b>


    already racking up the balls, ready for battle.


    “I’m gonna go to the restroom, and I will be right back<i>,</i><i>” </i>Briar said as she stood up once the game between Ashton and Hamish got underway<b>. </b>


    Reece quickly called over an attendant and asked her to show Briar the way.


    While their private room had its ensuite bathroom, it was so big that Briar might not be able to find it herself.


    Briar nodded and followed the attendant out.


    “Miss Jennings, would you like me to wait outside for you?” the attendant asked politely when they stopped at the bathroom door.


    Briar waved her off as she replied, “No need. I’ll find my way back.”


    The attendant nodded in response, “Alright.”


    Once inside, Briar closed the door behind her and locked it without a second thought. She picked a stall with a vent, put the lid down, and pulled out her phone, which was already connected to the club’s internalwork.


    She hacked into the club’s surveince system and started tracking down Le and Beatrice’s current location.


    Briar worked incredibly fast, and in less than two minutes, she had located them. With a stroke of luck, the pair was just two rooms down from their private suite.


    Briar found theyout of the air vents for this floor and decided to take a daring approach. She climbed onto the toilet seat, carefully removed the vent cover, and, with a quick leap, squeezed herself inside the vent.


    D