Ten minutes later, Julian and Kiera walked side by side, following Kendrick and Kingston. The four of them strolled and chatted on their way to the Caron family martial arts gym. At night, Yonsburg was much livelier than during the day. While it may not have been as affluent as Wiltspoon, it certainly offered plenty of entertainment options due to its urban setting.

“You can compete with me later, Julian. My father taught my brothers and me, so we use the same moves. If you can beat me, you’ll have a better chance against my eldest brother. He learned a few years before I did, but he’s stronger and his moves are slightly quicker. The students he teaches are all quite powerful, while mine are just kids. There’s nothing I can do; I’m still young and not as well-known as my brother.” In the Yonsburg martial arts community, Kiera’s brothers, Kendrick and Kingston, were quite renowned.

Julian replied, “In that case, it would be unfair to your elder brother. That’s fine; I’ll compete with him directly. Whether I win or lose, I can accept it. I practice martial arts to strengthen my body and protect myself, not for fame or fortune.”

Kiera smiled and remarked, “You’re already in business, so what more do you need fame and fortune for? You’re quite well-known in the Wiltspoon business community. At Young Master York’s wedding, I noticed everyone was very respectful towards you. Their attitude seemed to suggest they were afraid of offending you.”

Although she wasn’t deeply involved in the business world, Kiera could infer the Bucham family’s influence in Wiltspoon’s business scene based on how others treated Julian.

“Also, everyone is very polite to me. It feels like I’m holding onto a very powerful connection,” Julian said. Kiera smiled and continued, “Julian, I sense that you are doing more than just business; it seems…”

“You mentioned there might be more you haven’t revealed. Is that true?”

“No, I am Julian, the president of the Bucham Group and the eldest son of the Bucham family, though many refer to me as Young Master Bucham. As my father’s successor, this title has stuck. My family built our fortune on detective work, and we maintain an extensive network of contacts. Our capacity to gather information is exceptional. We have leveraged this ability to assist many, which is why people treat me with respect.

Another factor is that I possess substantial knowledge about their private lives. They hesitate to offend me for fear that I might disclose their secrets.” Julian lowered his voice slightly as he continued, “While they are courteous to me, they may harbor deep resentment, viewing me as a ticking time bomb. They fear that I might one day explode and ruin them. If they had the means, they would likely invest heavily in hiring skilled assassins to eliminate me.

Thus, I live a perilous life that could endanger those around me. I rarely engage openly with friends in Wiltspoon, and I keep my whereabouts confidential. Many perceive me as a mysterious figure who is never truly seen; in reality, I am simply wary of assassination attempts.

You witnessed that night how numerous motorcycle gangs were dispatched with the intent to kidnap or kill me. Fortunately, you happened by and rescued me; otherwise, I could have been violently murdered in the wilderness or dumped in the sea.”

Kiera replied, “Is it really that dangerous?”

Julian looked at her and asked, “Are you afraid? Sometimes, those who are close to me may inadvertently suffer unexpected calamities. For instance, if they can’t get to me, they might think of targeting…

Kiera said to him, “What are you afraid of? If others were taking advantage of those around you, you wouldn’t be so close to Young Master York and the others. In my dictionary, the word ‘fear’ does not exist. Unless the killer has a gun, they may not be able to harm me.”