天堂在线最新版www中文

He didn’t kill Maurice Springs because he wanted him to know that there are things in this world more painful than death.

“Mr. Reed, you’re finally back!”

When Reed returned to the Pearl on the Water, he saw Miguel Abbott anxiously waiting at the hotel entrance. Upon seeing him, he quickly ran over.

“What’s the matter?”

In Reed’s memory, it was the first time Abbott was so visibly distraught.

“Do you remember the night market I took you to in the old town?”

Swallowing hard and shaking his hands, Abbott said, “I just received news that some group has suddenly appeared in the old town. They’ve actually pushed Irving Harris out of the area and set up their own operation there.”

“The old town is a piece of fat meat. Although it doesn’t seem valuable on the surface, it’s an area lacking in management, suitable for shady dealings; it’s normal for outside forces to take an interest. But I’m surprised that Irving Harris was forced out,” Reed nodded, signaling Abbott to continue.

Even when the old town was under Harris’s control, there were already some illegal activities. But anyone who could snatch food from Harris’s mouth certainly wouldn’t be simple.

Either they had a strong backing, or Harris let them do it on purpose.

But seeing how tense Abbott looked, something unexpected must have occurred.

“Lory Shaw, who is also Roosevelt Shaw’s daughter and whom I consider my goddaughter, was living happily in the old town, thanks to your support. But ever since these people arrived, they’ve taken over the market you funded and built, evicting the local residents.”

Abbott burst out angrily, “Those bastards! After the locals protested, they even detained the lead protester Roosevelt Shaw’s family. As soon as Lory Shaw got out of school, someone snatched her right into a warehouse.”

The tense expression on his face made it clear that he truly regarded Lory Shaw as his own goddaughter.

“There’s something like this going on? How did you know?”

Upon hearing the news, even Reed couldn’t help but frown. This new gang was surely too brazen, kidnapping people without a second thought?

“It was the widow who sells tofu who called me,”

Abbott’s face turned red as he scratched his head, “I feel that there’s more to this matter than meets the eye. What do you think we should do?”

At this point, he hurriedly added, “I’m not intentionally causing trouble for you, but I’m afraid acting rashly might have a bad impact on you.”

“No worries, I’m quite fond of Roosevelt Shaw’s craft too. Besides, if your goddaughter is in trouble, I can’t just stand idly by.”

From the time Abbott first extended an olive branch until now becoming his staunch ally, how could Reed refuse to help him with this matter?

“Well, in that case, let’s call Allen to gather our people, and we’ll head over there to demand the release of the hostages!”

Abbott pulled out his phone, ready to gather his private security team.

“No need, let’s first find out exactly what’s going on. Besides, if I want to save someone, who can stop me?”

Reed waved his hand with supreme confidence and got in a Volkswagen car with Abbott, heading straight for the old town.

His instincts told him that this was likely a conspiracy and definitely not as simple as it sounded.

Roosevelt Shaw was an honest man. If there was truly a disturbance, there would certainly be others causing more trouble than him, so why were his family specifically taken?

Inside the car, Abbott had no time to ponder these questions; his brow furrowed with concern, obviously worried about the safety of his old friend’s family.

A self-made man like Abbott cared deeply about personal relationships, which was something commendable.

The driver quickly navigated the car into the old town area.

By then, it was already evening, and the streets were deserted, hardly a soul in sight.

The previously bustling night market had vanished, and occasionally they passed customers with faces filled with disappointment.

It’s likely they had traveled a long distance only to find there was nothing left.

“Hey! Stop right there!”

When the car entered the street, a group of youths suddenly appeared in front of them.

These people had dyed hair and were holding steel pipes, walking up to the car window and tapping on it continuously with their rods.

The force was not strong, signaling to roll down the window.

“What’s this all about?”

Miguel Abbott rolled down the window and spoke with clear displeasure in his tone.

“Where are you going?”

After sizing him up, he asked coldly.

“My uncle and I have come to visit my aunt.”

Julius Reed spoke from inside the car, looking at the man and pointing to the roadblock ahead: “Brother, what’s going on up there?”

“It’s nothing! Don’t ask too many questions! If you’re here to visit relatives, just do that and don’t loiter around, otherwise, no one will take responsibility if something happens!”

After pulling open the car door and making sure there were only three people inside and after checking the trunk, he finally let them go.

“What a bunch of assholes! I really wanted to give him a beating just now! Brother Reed, should I call my bodyguards?”

Miguel Abbott was fuming at the sight of these people. He was the head of Moonlight Group, with great influence in Five-river Province, and now he was being stopped for a car inspection, which naturally upset him.

“Hold on! Haven’t you noticed something different about these guys?”

Julius Reed’s eyebrows furrowed slightly as he began to ponder.

“What’s different?”

Miguel Abbott had been too busy being angry to notice anything unusual.

“These guys just dyed their hair and dressed up like small-time thugs. You believed that too easily.”

Julius Reed looked at Miguel Abbott: “The calluses on their hands are very thick, clearly indicating they’ve been around for many years. If your bodyguards had really come, it would have been a death sentence!”

With these words from Julius, Miguel Abbott slapped his thigh, suddenly realizing, “I knew it, there was a hint of killing intent in their eyes! It’s all because I was thinking about my goddaughter, I almost screwed it all up.”

Thinking about the scene if his bodyguards had shown up, Miguel Abbott felt a chill.

Although his personal guard was strong in combat, they were no match for mercenaries.

“This is more complicated than we thought.”

Julius Reed tapped his thigh lightly with his fingers, starting to mull over the potential situations that might arise.

The car entered the old city district and encountered no further obstructions.

But on the main street, there were still some people wandering about, many leaning against the roadside smoking, occasionally glancing at them.

“It’s eerily quiet today. If we don’t find a place to park soon, we’re definitely going to draw suspicion.”

Julius Reed had a sudden idea, looking at Miguel Abbott: “Go straight to that widow’s place you fancy, for starters we can gather some information, and it’ll also dispel any suspicions from these people.”

After driving around in the city district for several turns, it was quite obvious that the local thugs had become vigilant, with several of them starting to approach their car.

“Okay!”

Miguel Abbott nodded and instructed the driver, “The usual spot!”

After saying that, he paused for a moment, then explained awkwardly, “Slip of the tongue…”

“Got it!”

Julius Reed patted his shoulder. The ‘usual spot,’ huh? Seems like he must have visited quite often.