CHAPTER 26: TRAPPED

I let out a slow breath after witnessing Neil Arkes’ terrifying power.

"Alright, Neil. Seems like I misunderstood you back there." I said, trying to keep him from getting suspicious of me.

"Relax, it was my fault anyway. I tend to mumble to myself sometimes—bad habit," he replied casually.

I nodded and placed my palm on the table, preparing to stand up.

"Hey, wait a second, C."

"Yeah?" I paused, sitting back down on the sofa.

The club owner returned, carrying three glasses of wine.

Neil picked up one of the glasses and took a small sip.

"Say, do you know a girl named Luna Destiara?" he asked, resting his head on the back of his hand.

My heart nearly stopped.

Does he know I ruined the kidnapping attempt on Luna? If he does, why has he been acting so friendly this whole time?

"No. Never heard of her," I said flatly, keeping my tone calm and casual.

"Hmm... is that so?" Neil swirled the wine in his glass.

He turned to the club owner. "Sir, do you happen to know Luna Destiara?"

The owner tensed up, forcing another awkward smile. "Of course, who doesn’t know the daughter of that famous tech CEO? Rumor says she’s incredibly beautiful."

"You’re absolutely right," Neil replied with a nostalgic smile. "I saw her at my birthday party once. Her hair—each strand like silk threads of pure gold. And her blue eyes... as clear as the sea."

Crap. That was a trap. I walked straight into it.

"After seeing someone that stunning, I asked her father for an engagement. I promised him full support from our family—one of the ruling families in the Shadow Economy. Naturally, he agreed."

He took another sip from his wine glass, then turned back to me.

"But you’re a curious one, C. I’ve asked my friends, subordinates—even random people on the street. Five out of ten people know Luna Destiara. And yet you, someone who goes to the same school, sits in the same class... you claim you don’t know her? How odd." His grin widened. He opened one eye and stared at me sharply.

I took a deep breath, clenching my fists.

Should I run? Maybe I could sprint to the door right now and make it out...

"Fine, you got me. I do know who Luna is. She’s kind of a school celebrity, yeah. But me? I’ve never even talked to her. Someone like me wouldn’t stand a chance." I answered, trying to keep my tone humble.

"Is that so?" Neil stared at me for a long second. Then he smiled. "Alright, C. I believe you."

I let out a quiet sigh of relief. Good thing I didn’t have a face—otherwise he would’ve easily seen through me.

"Well then, if we’re done here, I’d like to excuse myself." I stood up and began walking to the door, glancing over my shoulder just in case.

"Just one last question, C. And be honest with me."

What now, damn it?

I turned to face him again.

"Do you know anything about what happened five days ago? When Luna, my fiancée, was hit by someone. I heard there was also an attempt to kidnap her."

You were the one who tried to kidnap her, bastard!

Wait... now that I think about it, I did see the guy who hit Luna. He ran off right after. Damn it, I didn’t get to finish him off. Maybe he’s the one who told Neil everything.

"I don’t know the details, but I did see the news on my phone. Word is, her father was furious."

"You’re right. It was all over the internet. But... do you know another interesting fact about that event?" he said, standing up and walking toward me.

"Apparently, some faceless hero swooped in and saved the day... He fought off six gangsters who surrounded her. People online started shipping the two of them. You can imagine how that made me feel, as her fiancé."

"I get it. I’d feel the same way if my fiancée got close to someone else."

"Right? If I ever find that so-called hero... maybe I’ll lock him up, beat him every day, torture him for a year, and then finally kill him." Neil’s eyes were fully open now, staring directly into mine.

He knows. He’s known this whole time. He’s just toying with me now.

I started stepping back slowly. Neil mirrored me, taking a step forward for every step I took back.

Crap. What do I do? Fight him? No, there are still two of his men outside the room.

"According to my men, the guy who saved Luna had brown hair, no face... Date of birth November 20, weighing about 70kg, and stood about 178 centimeters tall. Sound familiar?" he said, his voice low and threatening.

How the hell does he know that much?! There’s no way that kind of info should exist. There’s not a single government document about me. I’m just a background character!

I quickly reached into the pocket of my jacket.

Seeing that, Neil pulled out a folding knife and pointed it at my neck.

I raised both hands, showing him my right hand holding a phone.

I turned on the screen and showed him the time. Four numbers lit up.

"It’s time for me to go, Neil. In three minutes, I’m scheduled to fight Theo."

Good thing I signed up for that fight. Who would’ve thought it’d come in handy like this?

Neil raised an eyebrow, let out a short chuckle, and sheathed the knife like nothing had happened.

"Apologies, C. I thought you were reaching for something dangerous."

"No worries. Now if you’ll excuse me."

Neil slipped his hand into his pocket and shouted, "Open the door!"

The door swung wide open.

Outside, I saw about ten of Neil’s subordinates lined up.

God... If I had fought Neil in that room, I’d probably be lying in a pool of blood by now.

Neil put a hand on my shoulder.

"Good luck, C. You’ll need it if you’re up against Theo. Though honestly, I doubt you can beat that guy."

I let out a small laugh, trying to hide my nerves.

"Yeah, yeah. See ya." I quickly walked away.

Just as I stepped out, a strange sensation tickled my shoulder.

My fingers brushed against a tiny bump on my jacket.

Without hesitation, I crushed it. A soft hiss escaped.

A tracker. That bastard...