Tuff never expected Brian to make such a request. There was nothing in it for him!

“What? Not willing?” Brian arched a brow, clearly annoyed by Tuff’s hesitation.

Tuff hurriedly said, “No, it’s not that…”

“Then quit,” Brian said tly.

“Alright,” Tuff finally agreed.

He knew Brian wasn’t out for revenge. He just wanted Ka to have a normal life.

32 voucher

Staying in the field meant taking on missions where bullets could fly at any moment. It was seriously dangerous.

But honestly, Tuff could’ve put up with some pretty unreasonable demands.

For example, paying back the Shawn family for their financial losses, or handing over those old Limitless Sect relics he’d confiscated back in the day.

“Goodbye,” Brian said.

He hoisted Dally over his shoulder and walked off into the night.

Tuff stood there, conflicted emotions churning inside him.

‘How unlucky that he’s Mkai’s son, Tuff thought.

“Should we get him a ride?” Tuff asked.

“No need, he’s already got one,” Landon said, gesturing ahead.

Suddenly, headlights lit up just a dozen feet away.

Damn! There were actually five cars waiting.

Earlier, it was pitch dark, and those cars were all ck with their lights off. No wonder Tuff hadn’t spotted them.

Now it wasn’t just cars. There were people too.

Seven or eight guys in ck tracksuits hopped out and lined up respectfully, waiting for orders.

“Are they… Limitless Sect guys?” Tuff nearly fainted.

‘If the Limitless Sect was still kicking, did that mean the Flying Tiger Sect would have to go after them again? No, please, not again!‘ Tuff groaned inwardly.

b16:17 /bbSat/bb, /bbSep /b20 B

I just can’t do it anymore. Tuff thought, the weight of it all pressing down on him.

“Don’t hurt him anymore…” Ka tugged at Tuff’s sleeve, her voice soft and weary, pleading with himb. /b

Maybe the Limitless Sect hadmitted countless crimes, but to her, she owed them everything.

“Alright,” Tuff said, squeezing her hand tightly. “I’ll hand in my resignation tomorrow,”

The mess that should’ve ended in bloodshed just fizzled out with Brian showing up.

The four of them squeezed into a car, with Landon behind the wheel.

Dark clouds gathered overhead, swallowing the moon. Soon, tiny snowkes began to fall.

They danced and swirled in the headlights, like moths drawn to a me.

Everyone was silent.

Nobody knew what to say.

Brian had really put them through it tonight.

It wasn’t until the car pulled up outside their ce that Landon finally asked, “Heading back?”

“Yeah.”

He got out first, then helped Ka out.

Home was exactly what they needed right now.

Afraid she might get cold, Tuff gently took the thin nket from Landon’s car and wrapped it around his Honey’s shoulders.

“Ka, go home and get some sleep. I’lle hang out with you tomorrow,” Amelia said, waving as she left.

Ka nodded.

She tried to smile, but it looked more like she was about to burst into tears than anything happy.

Amelia felt a deep ache in her chest and hurriedly rolled up the window.

Otherwise, she knew she wouldn’t be able to hold her smile any longer.

As she watched Tuff and Ka walk into their home, Amelia’s facepletely crumpled. “Honey, this hurts bso /bmuch…”

“It’s alright,” Landon said gently, gesturing for her toe closer.

Amelia unbuckled her seatbelt and leaned her head on Landon’s shoulder, tears falling silently down her cheeks.

b16:17 /bbSat/bb, /bbSep /bb20 /bB

She wasn’t the type to cry, and honestly, she couldn’t even remember thest time she did.

But tonight, it just hurt too much to hold it in.

The weight of Brian’s kindness was suffocating. They all felt like they could barely breathe.

Brian was so good, and yet he was all alone, no parents, no ce to call home.

Even his only brother, Dally, couldn’t stand the sight of him anymore.

When Dally finally woke up, no one knew what kind of drama he’d stir up with Brian.

“The only thing keeping Dally going is pure hatred,” Landon said, finally pulling up Dally’s file.

Amelia leaned over. “Let me see too.”

420

Dally was thirty–one now. After the Limitless Sect copsed, he drifted through various international gangs, picking up skills like marksmanship. Right before the New Year, he tried to assassinate Tuff’s father in Dreicean but failed, then tracked him all the way to Lunova…

“He’s incrediblyposed and seriously tough,” Landon remarked. “If the Limitless Sect was still around, he’d be a top–tier spy.”

“But Brian took him down…” Amelia suddenly chimed in, reminding Landon.

‘So what does that say? Brian’s even tougher than Dally!‘ she thought, a bit in awe. ‘Brian really is the hidden master here.’

“Or maybe he just used a sedative? Don’t forget, Brian’s a doctor,” Landon said with a small grin, ruffling Amelia’s hair. “Come on, let’s go home too.”

*****

Joyce was a nervous wreck all night. She popped some sleeping pills but still kept waking up in a cold sweat.

With Ka snatched away by Dally, that meant Tuff was all hers now.

Not that she had a clue who Dally even was.

She tossed and turned until dawn, then finally decided to call Maggie. “Mrs. Prescott…”

“Do you need something else?” Maggie replied, her tone perfectly calm.

“Did Ka take the ne back?” Joyce asked.

“Of course she did. You gave it to her, didn’t you?” Maggie snapped.

Now, all Maggie felt for Joyce was pure disgust.

“Good,” Joyce sighed in relief.

b16:17 /bbSat/bb, /bbSep /bb20 /bB…

Joyce still had the emerald ne on her, but Maggie thought Ka had already taken it home.

Obviously, Maggie had no clue Ka had been kidnapped.

bA /b

Probably because of her second hospital stay for her leg, they were hiding it from her so she wouldn’t worry.

Joyce thought, ‘Dally is wild–practically an animal with how strong his desires were. If Ka ended bup /bwith him, there’s no way she’de out of that unscathed‘

For all Joyce cared, Ka was probably dead by now. She snickered to herself, feeling absolutely gleeful.

Pretending to care, she asked, “Is Tuff with you?”

“He’s busy with work,” Maggie said, her voice going cold. “Can you just stop pestering him already?”

Once she got what she wanted, Joyce hung up.

“Annoying brat!” Maggie grumbled, blocked her right away, and tossed her phone aside.

It was eleven o’clock. Ny this time, Ka would usually have brought her lunch. But today, there was no sign of her.

Thinking back to Joyce’s odd call, Maggie started to worry and quickly called Ka.

After a few rings, someone finally picked up.

“Mom…” It was Tuff.

He sounded half–asleep.

Maggie chuckled. “Oh, never mind. You two go back to sleep.”

Tuff was speechless. ‘Mom, seriously? You’re ruining my sleep!‘

He turned his head, and sure enough, Ka was already awake.

She looked totally spaced out, like she waspletely out of it.

Tuff’s heart ached. “Honey, it’s still early. Go back to sleep.”

“Where did Brian go?” Ka asked softly, still in a daze.

“Let me give him a call,” Tuff said, already reaching for his phone.

But Ka stopped him. “It’s fine, don’t worry about it.”

“Honey…” Tuff murmured.

“I’ll go find him myself in a few days,” Ka said quietly.

“Sure, I’ll go with you,” Tuff replied.

b16:18 /bSat, Sep 20 B

youchery

Tuffy back down and pulled Ka into his arms. “It’s snowing outside. Let’s just snuggle up band /bstay warmb. /b

“Are you really quitting?” Ka asked, her head resting on his chest.

“Of course,” Tuff replied without hesitation.

He’d already made up his mindst night. He was quitting, heading home, and taking over everything with the family business. No more getting mixed up in all that chaos.

That way, Brian could finally rx, and Ka wouldn’t have to worry anymore.

Now he really got why Landon was so determined to quit. Love and family were way sweeter than any of that wild underworld life.

“Honey, I’m really sorry I dragged you into all this…” Ka mumbled, sounding super guilty.

“Then pay me back with your body! You on top, I’ll just lie back,” Tuff shot back, grinning wickedly.

Her cheeks turned bright red as she smacked his chest. “I’m trying to be serious here!”

“I am serious! Last night totally wore me out. I’m not moving an inch. If you’re on top, I can just chill,” Tuff said, looking all innocent while his hands started wandering.

Ka was in no mood for his antics right now.

Her anger gave her a sudden burst of energy. She shoved him aside, jumped out of bed, and started getting dressed.

“Honey?” Tuff called out, confused.

“You’re tired? Fine, sleep. I’m going to go settle things with Joyce!” Ka snapped, storming off.

biAD /i/b

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