After hacking into the surveince cameras at the entrances and exits of the abandoned steel mill, as well as those around the parking lot, Briar soon spotted the car that had just driven in.

    The car was parked near what resembled a basement entrance, illuminated only by a faint glow from a dim streetlight. If Briar hadn’t searched so thoroughly, she might have overlooked it.

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    “Got it,” Briar said with a smile as she hit the “enter” key. The screen split into a dozen smaller windows, and in one of them, she saw the unmistakable figure of Hayden in a wheelchair.

    Reece leaned over to get a better look at the footage. “Looks like they’re about to head into the basement. Is theb really down there?” he asked.

    Hamish nodded and said, “Yeah, it seems like they’re going downstairs. If there’s a secretb here, hiding it in the basement is probably the only way it wouldn’t get discovered.”

    Ashton just tilted his head and looked at Briar, who was eager to make a move. “Let’s confirm their exact location first and have someone keep an eye on them. We’lle back for them tomorrow after we’ve had some rest,” he said.

    It was alreadyte, and no one knew the situation inside the undergroundb. There was ino /iway Ashton would let the girl just get out of the car and try to catch them now.

    Briar knew there was no room for negotiation, so she obediently nodded. “Alright, we’lle back tomorrow. Now that we’ve found their hideout,

    there’s no way they’re running away,” she said.

    Even after they drove off, the guards watching over the abandoned steel mill didn’t notice a thing.

    An hour and a halfter, their car pulled up in front of the five–star Victoria Hotel. The hotel manager hurried over, opening the car doors with a respectful bow. “Wee, Mr. Wade, Mr. Goodwin, Mr. Hamish, Miss Jennings, Brandon,”

    “Are the rooms ready? We’re exhausted,” Bradon said.

    The manager nodded and said, “All the rooms are ready. Pleasee with me.”

    The Victoria Hotel had dozens of branches all over Qathana. It was also one of Ashton’s many overseas businesses.

    The manager had once worked directly under Ashton before being sent to Qathana three or four years ago. Now, seeing his boss again, he was very

    excited.

    If it weren’t for Ashton’s overwhelming aura, he honestly wanted to rush over, cling to Ashton’s leg, and bawl, “Mr. Wade, do you still remember the loyal dog you kicked out back then?”

    Everyone knew that even though Ashton owned a ton of businesses, those of them who had been “exiled” to far–off ces rarely got any favor from him.

    They were like a bunch of kids who had just been weaned and tossed out by their dad, forced to make it on their own in the big, wide world.

    He had thought that being sent abroad would mean living a life filled with gunfire and action. However, it turned out that Ashton’s influence overseas was so strong that most local troublemakers would consciously avoid their dozens of chain hotels whenever they stirred up trouble.

    With all his skills going to waste, he could only vent his frustration at the gym after work every day.

    The rooms prepared for them were the hotel’s private suites, upying the entire top floor. The ce was several times more extravagant than the presidential suite, and all of it had been specially set up by the manager just to curry favor with Ashton.

    ‘After four whole years, it’s finally getting put to use. What a long wait!‘ the manager thought.

    After leading Ashton and the others into the suite, the manager didn’t leave. Instead, he lingered awkwardly by the door, wringing his hands like a timid girl.

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    Brandon knew exactly what these “exiled” underlings were thinking, but trying to act all coy with Ashton was just asking to get smacked with the back of his hand.

    He red at the manager, but the manager just pretended to be blind and acted like he didn’t see a thing.

    Ashton caught the manager’s hopeful expression and let out a helplessugh. “You got something to say? If not, then scram!” he said.

    “Mr. Wade, how long will you be staying this time? The others heard you’re in Qathana and are all rushing over from everywhere!” The manager, seeing a chance, piped up eagerly. “Everyone’s been missing you like crazy.”

    Ashton was at a loss for words, thinking, ‘This guy’s clingy, fawning act was even more authentic than Briar’s.‘

    “Looks like life’s been a breeze for you guys out here, huh? Maybe I haven’t given you guys enough to do,” Ashton said.

    He knew that ever since he had sent these guys overseas, he had barely checked in on them. And when this guy said he missed him, it wasn’t really about missing Ashton himself but just that he was worried Ashton would forget about them for good.

    The manager chuckled and said, “Not at all! We’re busy every day. However, no matter how swamped we are, we can always make time to see you.”

    Ashton waved his hand and said, “Alright, enough with the ttery. Go tally up how many people areing with Brandon. I know you all haven’t stretched your muscles in a while. Once the sun’s up, I’ll take you guys out for some action.”

    The manager’s eyes lit up. “Mr. Wade, who do you want to take down? How much firepower do you need? I’ll get someone to bring it over right away,” he

    said.

    Judging by Ashton’s tone, it sounds like things are going to get bloody. It’s so exciting and thrilling,‘ the manager thought.

    Brandon really couldn’t take it anymore and dragged the manager away. “You brat, just zip your mouth,” he scolded.

    Briar, Reece, and Hamish exchanged nces, then burst outughing. Briar grinned and asked, “Ashtonb, /bwere all your guys used to serve on the border or something? They’re even more battle–hungry thann.”

    Reece nodded repeatedly. “Battle–hungry? They’re downright starved for à fight. How long have they been kept on a leash like this?” he asked.

    Hamish said, “I know this. Ever since Ashton started running things here, his guys probably haven’t even gotten their hands on a real gun in three or four

    years.”

    ‘Damn! Putting a bunch of guys like that in a peaceful part of Qathaha is like giving them cigarettes without a lighter. They could only look but not smoke. What difference does it make?‘ Reece thought.

    Ashton didn’t intend to continue with this topic. He brought Briar away and said to his two friends, “Let’s get some rest. We’ll deal with everything else

    tomorrowbi./i/bi” /i

    Ashton pulled Briar into the room, and when she saw there was only one king–sized bed, she raised an eyebrow and asked, “Ashton, there’s only one bed. Where are you gonna sleep?”

    Ashton stumbled a bit. “Babe… We’re in a foreignnd.. Are you going to make me sleep on the floor?”

    Briar had already walked over to the closet, opened it, and pulled out a nket. “Of course I am. Because I know you’d never let me sleep on the floor myself.”

    And just like that, Ashton was banished to the floor by Briar on their first night together in Qathana.

    Meanwhile, the others who received the bmanager’s /bcall and heard that Ashton was going to take them on a rampage were rushing over as fast as they could. There was no way they were going to let a golden opportunity like this slip by.

    At theb ir, the abandoned steel mill, Hayden teased, “Sweetheart, you actually know this stuff?”

    10:18 Sat, 23 Aug.

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    After being thoroughly “served” by his girlfriend on the ne and coaxed with just a few sweet words, Hayden ended up agreeing to take her on a tour of theb.

    But he never expected her to know so much about biological research. Hayden couldn’t help thinking he had picked up a real gem.

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