Chapter 13: Temporarily Hold Back the Killing Intent, Enemies Meet on a Narrow Road
"Morrison, check West Port. Focus on a guy named Joseph."
Wayne pulled out his phone and dialed directly, giving his orders.
"Boss, that traitorous dog who betrayed us is really hiding there. I'll take everyone and wipe out West Port right now!"
Morrison's voice on the other end was full of excitement.
"Block all escape routes. Don't let even a fly get away. Wait for me to come and handle it myself."
Wayne hung up.
He looked down at Jenny trembling in his arms.
Jenny's cheeks were blackened by smoke, her small hands gripping his torn collar tightly, not daring to let go.
Emily beside them wasn't much better—her dress hem was burned to tatters, her feet covered in blisters.
Rage churned in Wayne's chest.
His enemy was in West Port, Texas. He wanted nothing more than to go there right now and tear Joseph to pieces.
But reason told him no.
His wife and daughter had just escaped death. Right now, they needed security most.
He forced the murderous intent back down inside.
"Let's go get some clean clothes first and wash up."
Wayne spoke softly to comfort his wife and daughter.
Since he knew where Joseph was hiding, the man was already dead—it was just a matter of time.
Queen's Avenue, Texas's luxury shopping district, had the highest security level in the state.
Only after settling his wife and daughter here to change and calm down could Wayne go deal with the traitor without any worries.
As soon as they stepped into the air-conditioned mall lobby, the wealthy elite around them covered their noses and moved away at the sight of them.
The family of three, covered in ash and dirt, stood out awkwardly here.
Wayne didn't care about these people's looks.
He just wanted to quickly buy his daughter some clothes to replace the ash-covered ones.
"Isn't that Emily?"
A sharp woman's voice came from behind them.
Charlotte walked up in high heels, swaying her hips.
She opened her arms as if to hug warmly, but stopped half a meter from Emily.
"Oh my God, Emily, how did you end up looking like a beggar?"
Charlotte covered her nose dramatically, her eyes full of contempt.
"Stay away from me. Don't dirty my expensive new clothes. You couldn't afford to replace them."
Emily's face darkened. She held Wayne's hand tightly and said nothing.
Charlotte took the opportunity to raise her right hand, deliberately showing it off under the mall lights.
A diamond ring on her finger sparkled blindingly.
"Beautiful, isn't it? Over a million dollars. My fiancé just bought it for me to play with."
Charlotte laughed.
She glanced at Wayne beside them and snorted mockingly.
"Emily, I warned you before not to wait for this useless man."
"Fresh out of prison and he brings you to Queen's Avenue, pretending to be rich."
"Could he even afford a shoelace here if he emptied his pockets in those rags?"
"Honey, ran into someone you know?"
A man in a suit walked over and casually put his arm around Charlotte's waist.
Charlotte immediately leaned into the man's embrace, pointing at Emily sweetly.
"Howard, this is Emily I told you about—that foolish woman who stayed with a death row convict."
Howard lifted his chin, not even looking at Wayne properly.
His gaze swept over Emily without restraint, full of arrogance.
"Emily, what future is there following a criminal fresh out of prison?"
Howard arrogantly adjusted his tie.
"Why not come with me instead? I'll make sure you eat and drink well."
"I just landed a big deal. My whole family's status is about to rise."
"West Port, Texas—have you bottom-feeders even heard of it?"
At the mention of West Port, Wayne's calm gaze locked onto Howard.
Howard didn't notice the danger and continued boasting proudly about his family's power.
"Joseph from West Port is about to sign a huge arms deal with our family."
"He's a big shot in the underworld, commanding thousands of armed men."
"With Joseph's backing, our family is about to take off!"
"Emily, if you're willing to dump this loser, I might consider giving you a mistress position."
West Port. The traitor Joseph.
These words connected in Wayne's mind, and he understood the whole picture.
So these third-rate Texas tycoons dared to jump out at this time because their confidence came entirely from that traitor's handouts.
Wayne's knuckles cracked.
He took half a step forward, ready to crush Howard's throat.
"Daddy, I'm scared."
Jenny buried her head in Wayne's chest, her small body trembling uncontrollably.
Jenny had just survived a life-threatening ordeal. Any disturbance now could frighten her.
Wayne took a deep breath and stopped.
He suppressed his killing intent.
Killing in front of Jenny would leave her with psychological trauma.
"Your Hawk family will disappear from Texas very soon."
"I'll let you live a few more hours."
He held Jenny, took Emily's hand, and turned to walk into a nearby clothing store.
Howard laughed coldly behind them, his voice full of disdain.
"A death row convict just released dares to threaten me—what a fool!"
"Cross me, and you won't even find a place to beg in Texas."
Charlotte leaned into Howard's embrace, her face full of contempt.
"Honey, don't bother with this kind of loser. It lowers our status."
"Let's just wait here and watch security throw them out. How could a high-end store like this let beggars in?"
Inside the clothing store, the air conditioning was strong.
Under crystal lights, clothes bore high price tags.
The store staff frowned and kept their distance when they saw Wayne's family enter, afraid of getting dirty.
Jenny peeked out from Wayne's arms, her attention caught by a princess dress on a rack.
Jenny loved pretty things. Despite her ash-covered face, her big eyes still sparkled with longing for the dress.
She reached out her dirty hand, wanting to touch the lace trim.
Smack!
A sharp sound exploded in the store.
The female store manager rushed over in high heels and slapped Jenny's hand away.
A red mark appeared on Jenny's hand.
Waaah!
Jenny burst into tears, clinging to Wayne's neck and refusing to let go.
Emily rushed over heartbroken and protectively held Jenny.
"What are you doing hitting a child!"
The store manager crossed her arms, her face full of meanness and mockery.
"Who let you in? Don't you know everything here is expensive?"
"If you dirty this dress, selling all three of you wouldn't be enough to pay for it!"
Wayne said nothing. He turned and handed Jenny to Emily. When he turned back around, his eyes that had been full of warmth were now filled with icy coldness.
"You..."
The store manager jumped in fright, pointing at Wayne.
Wayne said nothing. He lifted his foot and walked toward the store manager, one deliberate step at a time.
"You... what are you doing? Don't come closer!"
The store manager panicked, her voice trembling.
"Someone! Security! Where's security? Get this damn poor family out of here right now!"
The store manager shouted. With backup called, she gained some confidence and became aggressive again.
"Poor? Damn?"
Wayne snorted coldly, murderous intent surging in his eyes. A bone-chilling coldness emanated from him, directly assaulting the store manager.