Chapter 35: Decisive Battle Under the Moon

In the back garden during the autumn rain, moonlight filtered through the clouds, casting mottled shadows.

"Leo, out of all the people I've killed, you're definitely the craziest one."

Killer sneered as he slowly closed in, "Too bad arrogance comes with a price."

"Is that so?"

Leo rolled his wrists, cracking his knuckles with crisp pops, "Then I'm looking forward to it."

Killer launched the first attack, his body lunging like a tiger pouncing, his military knife stabbing straight at Leo's heart.

Leo dodged to the side with ease, countering with a punch aimed at Killer's ribs.

Killer quickly spun around, blocking with the knife handle, and the two instantly became locked in combat.

Their attacks collided, producing dull thuds.

"Nice moves." Killer sneered as he retreated half a step, "No wonder you could wipe out the Romano family. But you think that's enough to beat me?"

"You talk too much."

Leo said flatly, "And besides, I haven't even gotten serious yet."

"Arrogant!"

Killer attacked again, his knife techniques sharp and fierce, each strike carrying deadly intent.

However, Leo handled it with ease, even having the leisure to chat with him.

"By the way, how much is the Drake family paying you?"

"A hundred million dollars." Killer snorted coldly while attacking, "But honestly, that idiot William was pushing too hard. If he weren't so desperate, I would never have acted so recklessly."

"Those businessmen, they don't understand anything except money. They think money can solve everything."

Leo easily dodged a strike and smiled, "Sounds like you're not too happy with your employer."

"The Drake family is just a bunch of nouveau riche who got rich through schemes and tricks." Killer's attacks grew more frenzied. "If they weren't paying enough, I wouldn't take on this mess."

"Too bad, after tonight, you won't be collecting any more money."

Leo suddenly increased his speed, forcing Killer back with a side kick, "Because you'll die here. And your Nightfall organization will be completely destroyed."

"Destroyed?"

Killer laughed scornfully, "You think killing me means you can take on the entire Nightfall organization? How naive! Nightfall spans the globe, deeply rooted--how could one person shake it?"

"We'll see about that."

A cold glint flashed in Leo's eyes, "I told you, none of you will escape."

As soon as the words left his mouth, Leo suddenly exploded into action.

His speed suddenly surged to another level, giving Killer no time to react.

"What?"

Killer's pupils contracted sharply, only now realizing that Leo hadn't been fighting seriously at all!

Leo landed a heavy punch to Killer's abdomen.

Killer coughed up a mouthful of blood, his body flying backward uncontrollably.

Before he could steady himself, Leo had already shadowed him.

One strike!

Killer's military knife was kicked away, and his entire body crashed heavily onto the garden's stone path.

Killer struggled to get up, only to find that several of his ribs were already broken.

Leo walked up to him and stepped on his chest, looking down at this so-called king of assassins.

"That's it?"

Leo scoffed, "The founder of the Nightfall organization--this is all you've got?"

"You... you monster..."

Killer gritted his teeth, his eyes full of resentment.

Suddenly, a strange smile appeared at the corner of his mouth, and he bit down hard on his back molars.

"You think I'll let you kill me? Dream on!"

Leo's eyes flashed, and he instantly crouched down, grabbing Killer's jaw and forcing his mouth open.

"Want to commit suicide?"

Leo sneered, reaching directly into Killer's mouth and feeling around his back molars.

With a soft click, Leo extracted a small poison capsule from Killer's false tooth.

"Potassium cyanide?"

Leo threw the capsule on the ground and crushed it with his foot, "Killer, you're dreaming. How could I let you die so easily?"

Killer's face went ashen, his eyes full of despair.

Without the means to commit suicide, he could only be at others' mercy.

Just then.

"Boss!"

Olivia rushed out of the villa with two Shadow team members.

"All cleaned up." Leo stood up, brushing off non-existent dust from his hands, "Take him away."

"Yes!"

Olivia immediately stepped forward and dragged the limp Killer up.

"Wait." Leo suddenly stopped her, "Don't send him to the interrogation room. Hand him directly over to Ms. Rosenberg."

"Understood."

Olivia nodded knowingly.

Emily was Chloe's mother--this blood debt should be settled by Chloe herself.

"Leo... you'll regret this... Nightfall won't let you go..."

Killer's threatening voice gradually faded away.

Leo ignored him and turned back to the villa.

In the downstairs living room, everything was in chaos.

Several injured bodyguards were receiving emergency treatment, and the Vanderbilt family's private medical team had already arrived.

Leo lit a cigar and strode up the stairs.

In the master bedroom on the second floor, through the shattered floor-to-ceiling window, cold rain and night wind poured in together.

Sophia wore only a silk nightgown, and the wet, cold wind lifted the thin hem, pressing it tightly against her graceful body curves, outlining breathtaking contours.

"Is it over?"

Hearing footsteps, Sophia turned around.

"It's over."

Leo walked up to her and casually sat on the edge of the bed, "Killer's been captured. You're safe."

Sophia stood up, her deep blue eyes looking directly into Leo's, her body carrying the coolness of the rainy night and a faint trace of perfume.

"Leo... thank you."

"No need to thank me. I told you I wouldn't let anyone hurt you."

"I know you deliberately used me as bait." Sophia suddenly spoke, "But I don't blame you. Because... it was the best way."

Leo looked at her with some surprise, "You're not angry?"

"Angry?" Sophia smiled bitterly, "I should be thanking you. If it weren't for you, I would have died tonight."

She walked up to Leo and gently caressed his cheek.

"And you came. You said you'd protect me, and you did."

"Sophia..."

Before he could finish, Sophia suddenly leaned down and kissed Leo's lips.

It was a kiss filled with the gratitude of a survivor, and with complex emotions.

Her blonde hair fell down, brushing across Leo's shoulder.

One hand braced on the bed edge beside his leg, the other clasped the back of his neck, fingers threading into his hair.

Leo's hand hung in mid-air, finally settling on her waist.

The waist beneath the robe was very slim; he could feel the shape of her ribs.

Her body heat came through the thin fabric, radiating the warmth of life.

Sophia trembled slightly at this touch and kissed him more deeply.

Her knee pressed against the bed edge, her entire body almost suspended above Leo.

After a long while, they separated.

Sophia's cheeks were slightly flushed, but her eyes remained firm.

"Leo, I know you have someone else in your heart. But... after tonight, I'll always be your ally."

Leo was silent for a few seconds, then nodded gently.

"I'll take you to a safe place. This location has been exposed."

"Okay."

Sophia collected herself and returned to her composed, wise leader demeanor.

"Next, the Drake family will definitely retaliate like crazy. We need to be more careful."

"Don't worry."

A cold smile curved Leo's lips, "The ones who should really be afraid are they."