“Rumor has it that the leader of Sigma Network and the Lord of Subterra Vanguard are in a rtionship," the subordinate added, scratching his head as his voice dropped to a near whisper.


    "A rtionship?" Warren''s voice shot up an octave. He turned to stare at his man as


    if he were an idiot. “The leader of Sigma Network and the Lord of Subterra Vanguard are both men. Are you telling me they''re in a rtionship?"


    "That''s what I heard..." The subordinate''s own confidence wavered. He stammered, "I''m sure of it. A rtionship. Maybe... that''s what they''re into."


    “Hah.” Warren fell silent for a long moment before a cold, sarcastic smile spread across his lips.


    Everyone knew how deep the animosity between Sigma Network and Subterra Vanguard ran. The idea of them making peace was absurd enough. But a rtionship? That was about as likely as pigs flying.


    "Are you sure your information is correct?" Warren asked, still skeptical.


    "Yes," his man confirmed. "The word inside Sigma Network is that they''re miserable. Ever since their boss got into this rtionship, Subterra Vanguard has been walking all over them. They can''t say a word about it; they even have to force a smile whenever they see someone from Subterra Vanguard."


    If the Lord of Subterra Vanguard was unhappy, their own boss would suffer, and by extension, so would all of Sigma Network.


    Warren''s fingers traced the rim of his coffee cup, his eyes narrowing as his voice turned icy. “Nocturne is in frequent contact with Subterra Vanguard. You suspect he was sent by them?"


    "Yes," the subordinate nodded, his tone certain. "The leader of Sigma Network riskeding to Liberty Ind for the A-NO specimen. And Nocturne suddenly took this job, clearly after something on Liberty Ind as well—something he''s keeping secret. It''s too much of a coincidence not to be a conspiracy."


    “There''s more,” the subordinate said, cautiously ncing up at Warren.


    "Out with it!"


    Warren stood and walked over to Celine, gently wiping the sweat from her brow. "Slow down," he reminded her softly. "Be careful you don''t hurt your hands."


    Only after Warren finished speaking did his man dare to voice his ultimate suspicion. “My Lord, I suspect Nocturne is Subterra Vanguard''s Specter."


    The words made Warren''s body go rigid. He turned slowly, his eyes narrowed and his brow furrowed into a tight knot. "Nocturne is Specter?"


    The very mention of Subterra Vanguard made him grind his teeth in hatred.


    Sigma Network and Subterra Vanguard... His two greatest enemies had formed an alliance? It would make killing them that much harder.


    "My Lord, look at this." The subordinate opened aptop and pointed to a video. "Doesn''t this silhouette look a lot like Specter''s?"


    He''d gone to great lengths to find the footage.


    Warren''s gaze fell on the screen, the frost in his eyes deepening. It was a perfect match. So, they were ying him for a fool. Carrying on with the leader of Sigma Network and now daring to make a move on Celine?!


    "My Lord, what are your orders?" the subordinate asked.


    If Nocturne really was Specter, he


    was the only one who could cure et


    Celine. But the vendetta between Liberty Ind and Subterra Vanguard could not be ignored.


    "Nocturne ising tomorrow, correct?" Warren asked.


    "Yes," the man replied.


    "Arrest him," Warrenmanded without hesitation. “Once he''s in my hands, I''ll be the one calling the shots."


    He had to save Celine. But he also


    save


    had to avenge the theft of his


    medicine and the bombing of his cargo ship. With this kind of leverage in his hands, he''d see just how well the Schwartz family could withstand the scandal of Shanley beinganto men.