What a joke. How dare a mere leader of a bunch of car thieves disrespect one of the underworld''s major yers?


    Viper forced a nervous smile. "Mr. Luis, I... I wouldn''t dare normally. But these are my boss ''rules. I''ll be in trouble if I don''t follow them."


    Boss? Luis had never heard of Viper having a boss. "Who''s your boss? Tell them toe here and repeat that!"


    Almost immediately, footsteps approached. A young man appeared while casually smoking a cigar. "Sure thing, Mr. Luis. I''m Viper''s boss. Any problems with my policies?" Luis'' eyes narrowed in surprise. "Pierce Langden?"


    Felix noticed Luis'' wariness and asked, "Do you know him?"


    Luis nodded, whispering, "Pierce is the illegitimate son of Andrei Hawkins, the richest man in Canraville."


    The richest man in Canraville? Felix understood now what was happening.


    "Stand down," Felix instructed.


    Luis wanted to protest but stayed quiet. Truth was, he could not afford to offend Andrei. Even with his brother''s help, they were no match. "500 thousand dors, right?" Pierce exhaled smoke. "Correct. That''s the friends-and-family rate, courtesy of Mr. Luis."


    Current circumstances made Felix reluctant to fight. Without his martial arts skills, he felt vulnerable. If money could solve it, why waste time?


    After the transfer, Pierce pped. "Ha! How generous! As expected of Mr. Luis'' friend. Don''t take it personally. I wouldn''t charge a cent if you''re actually powerful. But if not, just shut up and follow the rules, alright?" Luis could not stand it. "Pierce, don''t get cocky. You have no idea who Mr. Zeller is. He''s choosing not to make an issue of this, otherwise..."


    Felix gestured for Luis to stop, then drove away. Watching them leave, Viper whispered, Mr. Langden, he didn''t seem angry."


    Pierce smirked. "Even the calmest person would have a breaking point. No rush. We''ll continue as nned." "Yes, sir!"


    11


    Felix drove his Range Rover to a Canraville bar. Upon entering, he found Jack and Vanessa at a booth.


    Jack had been transferred to Canraville. Busy with the move, he had only contacted Felix today after the Dreamscape concert. "Here''s to thanking you on Vanessa''s behalf. She says her martial arts skills have improved thanks to your gift." Felix raised his ss reluctantly. "No need for formalities."


    After chatting, Vanessa''s friend Robert approached with a beer bottle. "Mr. Zeller, I''m really sorry aboutst time. Let me finish this as an apology."


    Vanessa exined after Robert left, "Robert can be impulsive, but we''ve been friends for years. Could you forgive him for my sake, Felix? Don''t hold a grudge against him."


    Felix nodded. "Sure. Jack would kill me if I didn''t respect your wishes."


    As the threeughed and chatted, they did not know Jaden had appeared outside, watching them intently. He pulled out his phone and ordered, "Start the n."