Chapter 18

"Vivian, didn't you go with Richard yesterday to discuss that film project collaboration? How did you end up here?"

Inside the car, Susan finally couldn't contain her curiosity and asked.

"Where's Richard?"

Vivian asked, her voice as cold as ice shards.

"I don't know."

Susan shook her head. "After you went missing yesterday, I kept trying to contact Richard, but his phone was turned off the whole time. He just vanished into thin air - no news at all."

At this point, Susan patted her chest with lingering fear. "If you hadn't called me this morning, I probably would've gone to the police station to file a report. Vivian, what on earth happened?"

Hearing this, Vivian's hands on her knees clenched tight, her eyes filled with coldness.

She had two agents.

One was Richard, the other was Susan.

But they had different responsibilities.

Richard handled her career matters - advertising endorsements, film collaborations, all that stuff was Richard's territory.

Susan handled her personal life matters.

Both were her trusted confidants.

You have to understand, before becoming her agent, Richard was a freelance media person on the verge of bankruptcy.

It was Vivian who gave him a decent job.

Vivian never imagined that Richard would betray her.

He told Vivian there was a huge film project seeking collaboration that required a face-to-face meeting, which is why she came to Viridis State with Richard.

Who would have thought?

It was all a trap.

Richard sold Vivian to Raymond. If she hadn't noticed Raymond had drugged her drink and found an excuse to escape the bar, she would have already fallen into Raymond's clutches.

As for Richard, he disappeared after introducing her to Raymond.

Vivian guessed he probably took the money and ran.

However.

He was thinking too simply.

Vivian was different from those unknown celebrities or helpless small-time models who could be manipulated by capital.

Behind her stood a powerful family - the York family.

Although she had hidden her true identity when entering the entertainment industry, not wanting to rise to fame through her family's reputation, only wanting to stand in the spotlight through her own abilities, that didn't mean she was a canary without fangs.

Richard thought that as long as he lured her to this unfamiliar Viridis State and cut off her communications, she would become a lamb waiting to be slaughtered.

But he didn't know that messing with a member of the York family came with a price.

And that price was not something he could bear...

"General."

After Vivian left.

Joseph looked at Jack, his expression somewhat grave.

"What is it?"

Jack asked.

"Morgan has issued a kill order against you."

Joseph said. "He's mobilized all his forces, saying he wants to offer Jack's life as a sacrifice on the day of Bill's funeral."

"Is that so?"

Hearing this, Jack's lips curved slightly into a faint smile.

"When is Bill's funeral?"

Joseph said, "Two days from now."

"Two days from now."

Jack's eyes narrowed slightly, then returned to calm.

He turned around and walked to the huge floor-to-ceiling window, looking down at the solemn military camp below. The morning light stretched his shadow long, making him appear lonely yet unbreakable.

"Looks like he's determined to get this done."

Jack's voice was light, yet carried a chilling mockery.

"Joseph."

"Yes."

Joseph stood in place, his body tense, waiting for Jack's orders.

"Go prepare."

"Two days from now, we'll attend Bill's funeral."

"Yes!"

The church.

Even though it was only morning.

The church was already packed.

The entire church was draped with white silk ribbons, looking extremely solemn.

In the church hall.

Bunches of white flowers were arranged into an endless sea of white blooms.

A hall full of flowers, mourning the dead.

And in the center of the flower sea sat a huge coffin, inside which lay Morgan's son, Bill!

In front of the coffin stood a crowd of mourners.

These people were all prominent figures in Viridis State.

They were all dressed in black suits, with a white daisy pinned to their chests, showing respect for the deceased.

Today's funeral was on an unprecedented scale.

Such a display.

In all of Viridis State, only the Sanchez family could pull this off.

Inside and outside the church, it was almost full of people.

Guests from all sides wore solemn expressions.

Right in front of the coffin, a priest holding a Bible, hands clasped together, was praying for the deceased.

"Almighty Lord, we beseech Your mercy, accept this lost lamb back into the embrace of heaven..."

The priest's aged and low voice echoed through the spacious and solemn church. Everyone bowed their heads, expressions solemn, praying along with the priest, seeing Bill off.

Morgan.

At this moment stood to one side, his hands quietly resting on an ebony cane. He wore a neat suit, and in just a few days, his hair had turned much whiter.

Losing a son in old age.

Even a boss who had dominated the underworld for decades couldn't help but turn white overnight.

Most importantly.

Morgan hadn't accomplished what he promised Bill.

He said he would offer Jack's life as a sacrifice when Bill was buried.

But three days had passed.

Even though he'd raised the bounty to ten million dollars, he still hadn't found Jack.

Even mobilizing all the family's forces, they couldn't find Jack. For their family, this was unprecedented.

After all, their family had infiltrated almost every industry in Viridis State, yet now they couldn't even find one person.

If word got out, it would be laughable.

Among the mourning crowd, Isabella was present.

After all, Bill was her lover.

Although their wedding wasn't completed.

She could still barely be considered part of the Sanchez family.

By all rights, she should be here.

However, today she had lost her usual charm, looking quite haggard. Even with makeup, she couldn't hide the exhaustion on her face.

Bill's death and Jack's return had completely disrupted Isabella's life.

Especially Rat's warning, which hung over her heart like a sword.

All she wanted now was to quickly liquidate William's assets and leave this place, never to return.

Isabella had already arranged her itinerary.

After Bill's funeral, she would leave Viridis State.

However, throughout today's funeral, she'd been restless, with a vague sense of foreboding.

She kept feeling something was about to happen.

The priest had finished praying, and just as everyone was preparing to bury Bill.

On the road outside the church.

A black sedan slowly came to a stop.

Jack, in a sharp suit, his eyes calm and composed, slowly got out of the car. Joseph also got out.

"General, let me go with you," Joseph said.

"No need." Jack waved his hand lightly.

"I'll go alone. You wait outside."

"But..." Joseph was somewhat worried. After all, they were the mafia - he feared Jack might be in danger.

"Don't worry, I'll be fine." With that, Jack walked straight in.