Damon replied coolly, "Understood."


    He ended the call and discussed the n with N, ensuring the conversation wouldn''t raise Gabriel''s suspicions.


    Just as N was about to dial, her phone lit up with an iing call. Seeing Gabriel''s name on the screen, she froze for a moment before exchanging a nce with Damon.


    Taking a deep breath, she answered. "Hello?"


    "N, you should be on your way by now. I''ve changed my mind. Go to the Sotoz subway station. Damon should head to the Marsh Street subway station. I''ll have someone bring Mason to him there," Gabriel instructed.


    Sotoz and Marsh Street were in entirely different directions from the original


    locations he had provided-one to the east, the other to the west.


    However, Sotoz was only a few kilometers from Garmony Residence.


    "Alright, I understand," N said evenly.


    "Don''t try anything funny," Gabriel warned. "If you or Damon deviate from the n, neither of you will ever see Buddy again."


    Clenching the phone tightly, N steadied herself before replying, "I understand." Because the call was on speaker, Damon had heard everything.


    N turned to him. "I''ll have the driver go slower. You move faster. Once you''ve secured Buddy, I''ll figure out how to get back."


    With Gabriel changing the locations at thest minute, Damon''s original ns were rendered useless. There wasn''t enough time to redeploy his men effectively.


    "Alright. Be careful," Damon said.


    "I will," N replied.


    As she turned to get in the car, Damon suddenly pulled her into a hug from behind.


    "N, stay safe," he said, his voice heavy with worry.


    N''s eyes reddened. She didn''t know if she would return safely. Ahead of hery Gabriel''s trap.


    "Mm. You too," she replied, gently removing his hands.


    Without looking back, she opened the car door and got in.


    She was afraid that if she turned around, she wouldn''t have the strength to leave.


    As her car disappeared into the distance, Damon got into his vehicle.


    The moment he started the engine, his phone rang.


    "Mr. Sumner, we''ve narrowed it down. Gabriel is in Block 12 of Garmony Residence, likely on one of the lower floors-below the 10th floor. We''re conducting a


    floor by-floor sweep now," ayer?


    II


    subordinate reported.


    "Good. Proceed carefully and ensure Buddy''s safety above all else," Damon reminded.


    "Understood," the subordinate replied.


    Gabriel sat on the couch, impatiently tapping his foot and ncing at the clock, His expression grew


    increasingly sour. Contents


    Suddenly, Mason spoke. "I need to pee."


    Already agitated, Gabriel snapped, "Go in your pants."


    "I need to poop, too!" Mason eximed.


    Gabriel red at him, his voice icy. "Don''t test me. I''m warning you."


    "I mean it! I need to go!" Mason protested. "You''ve kept me tied up for so long-l can''t hold it anymore!"


    Looking at Mason''s distressed face,


    seves narrowed


    sly. He wondered if t was trying to trick him. Col


    boy


    Seeing Gabriel''s hesitation, Mason defiantly added, "If you won''t untie me, I''ll just


    go right here in my pants."


    Gabriel raised an eyebrow and suddenly chuckled. "Fine. Go ahead."