Inside the ruined building, the sound of a door opening made everyone turn their heads in unison.


    Therge door creaked open slowly, and a figure, silhouetted against the fading light, walked toward them.


    "Look, Hannah really came."


    "I thought she''d be too scared to show up."


    "Yeah, same! Looks like Hannah isn''t so smart after all."


    Theyughed among themselves, but as the figure drew closer, they realized


    something was wrong.


    "Wait, isn''t Hannah a woman? Why is a man here?"


    "Are you blind? How could it be a man? It''s her!"


    “No, look, it''s really a man," one of them said, pointing at Lionel.


    "It is a man! Wait a minute... that''s Lionel, Hannah''s husband!"


    Once they recognized Lionel, they were all stunned.


    They had never expected him toe. They''d considered the possibility that Hannah might bring others, or that she might actuallye alone.


    But the thought that she would send her husband never even crossed their minds. It waspletely unexpected.


    "You lot, go check the perimeter! See if he brought backup. If he did, we get out of here. We''re not getting into a fight with him!" the leader ordered.


    "Yes, sir!"


    Three or four men scrambled to check the surroundings for any hidden aplices.


    Lionel saw their reaction and understood what they were thinking. He said nothing, simply walking to the center of the room and standing before them, looking down at them with an air of superiority.


    "He''s really alone! No backup!"


    "Looks like they kept their word, more or less. The person is wrong, but it doesn''t matter. Anyone connected to Hannah will do."


    "Are you done talking?" Lionel''s voice was cold. "Hannah had something urgent to attend to and couldn''t make it, so I came in her ce. It doesn''t matter who you talk to."


    He took a deep breath, his tone calm and steady. "Besides, I''m her husband. Her family''s affairs are my affairs. You can just tell me. Cut the crap and get to the point. Do you understand?"


    The leader stared at Lionel''s


    arrogant posture and let out augh, pointing at him. "You say you''re her husband, but everyone knows Hannah is divorcing you. This Kas nothing to do with you. I''m telling


    right now sall Hannah and get** her over here. Otherwise, I''m not saying a word, and she''ll never know where her mother is!"


    The man waspletely unfazed by Lionel''s attitude.


    Lionel''s brow furrowed at his words, and he red at the man, his jaw tight. "I already told you, she''s busy. Telling me is the same as telling her. I''m here in her ce. What do you want? Money? Something else? can give it to you. Just tell me where her mother is. Do you hear me?"


    "You''ve got a lot of nerve. Do you have any idea what situation you''re in? What are you acting so tough for? ff I don''t talk, you''ll never get a single piece of information from me. We don''t need money. We have plenty of it!"


    Lionel''s mind raced. If they had money, why were they doing this?


    If not for money, then what?


    Power? But how could he possibly give them that?


    "If you don''t want money, then what do you want? Don''t tell me you''re looking for


    business resources or a partnership. If that''s the case, I can provide them."


    "Hahahaha!"


    Lionel''s words sent the men into fits ofughter.


    The leader stared at him thoughtfully. "Why do you think we specifically told Hannah


    toe here alone, without bringing anyone?"


    Lionel didn''t understand, and he didn''t answer.