The manipulator had the guts to hurt his woman. He was determined to let them die miserably.

As expected, Gerard's men kept him informed. They had apprehended the leader of the attackers and now sought his instructions as to whether or not they should hand him over to the police.

Gerard's gaze turned icy. No mercy would be shown to those criminals.

He went to the suburbs with Lilah.

“At the time, they were searching for a specific woman. Do you know her identity?" Lilah sat in the car, the question echoing in her mind.

She wondered if her former enemies sought revenge, but that didn't add up. If they wanted her dead, they could have assassinated her quietly instead of launching a brazen attack that would only draw the ire of the local authorities.

"It must be Darian Martel's woman, the one who escaped from him."

Gerard's eyes narrowed thoughtfully. “She was born in Hualand, and Darian is fascinated with her."

“Who is Darian Martel?" Lilah became curious.

She surmised that the man must be a formidable crime lord.

Gerard's gaze dropped, his words carefully chosen. “Darian is the chairman of the Xylo Chamber of Commerce, with a stranglehold on the local economy. He wields significant influence over both government and underworld gangs, making him a formidable force in this area."

"The woman must be a stunning beauty," Lilah joked, chuckling.

Gerard chuckled too. "You must be more charming than she is, Lilah."

They arrived at a small hotel on the outskirts of town.

Calvin locked the leader in the basement, where the dusty air was laced with a peculiar, herbal scent.

Lilah covered her face and followed Gerard into the basement.

A sturdy man, his body battered and bruised, slumped in a chair, his eyes cast downward in defeat. The signs of torture were evident, his wounds telling a tale of unbearable suffering.

"Sober him," Gerard said icily.

Calvin punched the man, his fist cold and hard. Two teeth fell out, blood trickling from the man's mouth.

The man's eyes snapped open, and he let out a string of vehement curses.

But when his gaze met Lilah's, his expression transformed in an instant, his anger and defiance giving way to shock and disbelief.

"Shelia... Shelia..."

He locked eyes with Lilah, his gaze piercing and unyielding, like a dagger thrust straight at her.

Lilah's brow furrowed in unease, her eyes darting to Gerard with a questioning glance.