Chapter 27: Outside the Rules

"Mr. Ashford, your track record in Chicago is impressive, but these people are different."

Sophia stood up gracefully, her fingers lightly pressing a hidden communicator behind her ear. "They're all handpicked death warriors from the Vanderbilt family. Each one has fought over a hundred matches in underground fighting rings..."

Before she could finish, a hidden door in the private room behind her opened, and four bodyguards in black tactical gear flashed out, positioning themselves in front of her.

"Miss, please step back."

However.

Seeing this, the bald man not only showed no panic but threw his head back and laughed.

"Hahaha! Sophia, you think a few bodyguards can protect you?"

"Boys, make it quick! Kill Sophia, and everyone gets a million dollars!"

"Yes!"

Seven or eight death warriors roared in unison and charged toward Sophia.

Just as both sides were about to clash.

Leo moved.

His figure vanished from where he stood like a ghost.

"What?"

The bald man's pupils contracted sharply, unable to process what was happening.

The next second.

A dull thud.

The death warrior in front flew backward like he'd been hit by a speeding truck, his body bent at an unnatural angle. He slammed heavily into the wall, creating a human-shaped dent in it.

He slowly slid down and collapsed on the floor, unable to get up again.

"What?"

The other death warriors were shocked.

But Leo gave them no time to react.

He charged into the crowd like a tiger descending a mountain.

A whip kick swept across, instantly breaking two death warriors' ribs, sending them flying sideways.

A backhand elbow strike hit the third death warrior's skull, his eyes rolled back, and he passed out on the spot.

The fourth death warrior's long knife slashed viciously toward Leo's shoulder.

Leo didn't even turn around.

He simply shifted slightly, and the blade grazed past his suit.

Then he reached out, precisely gripping the man's wrist and twisting hard.

A crisp sound of breaking bones.

The death warrior screamed, and the long knife fell from his hand.

Leo caught the knife smoothly and swung it backhanded.

The blade's flat side slammed into the man's face. Several teeth flew out mixed with blood, and he spun three times before hitting the ground.

In less than ten seconds.

All seven well-trained family death warriors lay on the ground, dead or crippled.

And Sophia's four so-called elite bodyguards hadn't even had time to draw their guns.

The café returned to silence.

Sophia stood in place, looking at the death warriors scattered on the ground, a flash of shock in her eyes.

Since childhood, she'd seen countless masters.

But someone like Leo...

He was simply a monster.

She looked at Leo's chiseled profile, her heartbeat inexplicably quickening.

This man... was he a god or a devil?

Leo picked up his suit jacket from the chair back, dusted off nonexistent dirt, and put it on.

He pulled out a pure black business card from his pocket and placed it on the table in front of Sophia.

"Contact me anytime if you need anything."

With that, Leo didn't even glance at Sophia again. Hands in his pockets, he turned and left coolly, leaving only a solitary, cold figure behind.

Sophia picked up the card, seeing only a phone number on it. She looked up to say something.

Leo had already turned and left, his black coat disappearing into the night.

Sophia stood in place, looking at the card in her hand, a subtle smile playing at the corners of her mouth.

She gently pressed the card to her chest, murmuring to herself, "Interesting man..."

The next morning.

The Rosenberg Mansion, main building.

As soon as Leo walked into the living room, he saw Chloe rushing up to him.

"Leo! Something happened!"

Chloe's face was somewhat pale. "Arthur... he committed suicide."

Leo's reaction was surprisingly calm. He didn't even furrow his brow, just took off his coat and casually draped it over the sofa. "As expected."

"You... you're not surprised?" Chloe was stunned.

"What's there to be surprised about?"

Leo walked to the bar and poured himself a glass of whiskey. "He was stripped of his position as family head, put under house arrest, and his wife was publicly executed. A person like that either goes crazy or dies. Suicide was already the most dignified ending for him."

Chloe was silent for a few seconds, then said softly, "He left a suicide note saying he failed his mother, failed Emily..."

"Don't tell me these things."

Leo interrupted her, downing his drink in one gulp. "A dead man's words have no meaning. What he did while alive is what matters most."

Just then, Mira entered in her wheelchair, pushed by the butler.

"Mr. Ashford, thank you for your hard work last night."

Mira had a smile on her face. "I heard you went to Starlight Auction House and met with Sophia?"

"Yes."

Leo nodded and briefly recounted last night's events.

"She agreed?" A flash of surprise crossed Mira's eyes.

"She had no choice," Leo said flatly.

"Good!"

Mira patted the armrest of her wheelchair, her eyes full of satisfaction. "With the Vanderbilt family as our chess piece, we'll have a better chance against the Drake family."

Chloe looked at Leo with eyes full of admiration and affection.

How many more methods did he have that she didn't know about?

"However..."

Leo suddenly changed his tone, his expression becoming serious. "Next, the Drake family will definitely make a move. I've already arranged for the Shadow Squad to protect Sophia. The Rosenberg family must also heighten its vigilance."

"The Drake family has operated in New York for decades with deep foundations. Although we have the initiative, the real tough battles are still ahead."

Mira nodded. "I understand. I'll have Victor strengthen the manor's security."

"Good."

Leo lit another cigar and walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, looking into the distance.

New York's sky was overcast, as if foreshadowing an approaching storm.

Meanwhile.

New York, Upper East Side, Manhattan.

The Drake family manor, main building, conference room.

In the main seat sat an elderly man with white hair and beard—William Drake, the current head of the Drake family.

On his left sat his first son, Jonathan Drake, CEO of the Drake Group.

On his right sat his second son, Evan.

"Speak."

William picked up the red wine in front of him and took a light sip. "What exactly happened?"

"Father, the auction... failed."

Evan stood in front of the desk, head lowered. "The people I sent to silence them were completely wiped out. That document is now in Leo's hands."

"Useless!"

William threw the crystal ashtray in his hand to the ground, shards scattering everywhere.

"How could a thug from Chicago get mixed up with the Rosenberg family, and even the remnants of the Vanderbilt family?"

Beside him, Jonathan pushed up his gold-rimmed glasses and said in a deep voice, "Father, should we use our connections in Washington to get the military and FBI involved? Since this Leo has military backing, let the military deal with him."

"Foolish!"

William snorted coldly. "Using official forces will only make things bigger and drag us down, too! If this Leo dares to be so reckless, it means the people behind him aren't afraid of our official connections!"

"Since New York's rules can't contain him, then we'll use the rules of the underworld to completely erase him."

William stood up and walked to the window, looking at the gray sky outside the manor. A flash of ruthlessness crossed his eyes. "Contact 'Nightfall.'"

Evan's whole body shook. "Father, you mean..."

William's voice was ice-cold and piercing. "Tell them I want Leo's head. Price is no object."

"I want this ignorant punk to know who the real king is in New York!"