What in the world had happened here?

The yard was a disaster and was littered with bodies dressed in black, around eight of them, sprawled in defeated positions.

Xavier stood there in shock, mouth agape.

"Morning," Devonte greeted casually, emerging with his toothbrush. He casually stepped over a body to wash up at the pool by the gate.

Still in shock, Xavier asked, "Devonte, what happened? Who are these guys?"

Devonte finished brushing his teeth, spat into the basin, and calmly replied, “They showed up last night, trying to sneak up on Lilah. I caught them."

“And you... took care of them?" Xavier was astonished. “Let's hurry up and bury them then; what are we waiting for?"

In his mind, Xavier couldn't help but feel Devonte had been somewhat reckless not to cover his tracks better.

Devonte shot a quick glance at Xavier; then he rinsed his mouth and leaned against the front gate, deep in thought.

He was concerned about Lilah, who lay unconscious, sustained only by IV drips.

When she woke up, she'd Likely be much thinner. It seemed he'd need to get plenty of hearty foods like chicken, duck, and fish to help her recover.

The memory of Lilah collapsing and vomiting blood after leaving the ring haunted him. He sighed heavily, troubled by the idea that maybe they had pushed her too far.

Xavier gently inquired, "Did you hear me? Should I arrange for a truck to take these guys away now? What's the plan—-bury them or toss them in the ocean?"

Devonte snapped back to the present and gestured dismissively.

“Xavier, why don't you go to the market? Get some nutritious stuff, the freshest you can find. Have it ready for Jerrold and Lilah."

Xavier almost found it amusing, despite the serious situation. How could Devonte be thinking about groceries with all these bodies lying around?

Just then, one of the "bodies" on the ground moaned in pain, attempting to sit up.

Xavier was startled and threw a punch instinctively, knocking the man out before he could react.

“What are you playing at?" Devonte scowled at him. “I've called several deputy leaders and about thirty others to come over. We were supposed to interrogate these people once they woke up, and now you've knocked him out again. Who are we supposed to question now?"

Xavier was stunned.

So these people weren't dead after all.

"Um, then I'll go to the market," he muttered, scratching the back of his head awkwardly as he turned to leave.

By nine o'clock, a group had arrived.

By that time, the men in black had also woken up, only to discover themselves bound to trees, struggling in vain.