Chapter 197: Doorstep Pressure

"If it's really true, and we chase them down now and corner them, they might just kill Adrian and destroy all the evidence."

Kevin nodded. He figured that made sense.

"So what do we do now? Just wait?"

"Wait."

James said.

"Wait for Leroy to panic. He's more anxious than we are right now. What I said earlier will keep him up all night."

Just then, James's phone rang. It was Iron Wolf. James answered.

"Mr. Anderson, that vehicle changed routes midway."

Iron Wolf said.

"It was heading west, then suddenly turned north."

"Taking back roads the whole way, zigzagging all over. Either they spotted us, or they're switching locations on the fly."

A faint smile crossed James's lips. Just as he thought.

Leroy couldn't sit still. He was already starting to crack.

"Don't tail them too closely."

James said.

"Don't blow our cover. Just keep track of the general direction. That whole area up north is all mountains."

"There aren't many places to hide someone. We'll search slowly. We'll find it eventually."

"Got it."

Iron Wolf said.

After hanging up, James tossed his phone aside.

Kevin asked.

"Well? Did they really switch locations?"

"Yes."

James nodded.

"Leroy's panicking."

"Good that he's panicking."

Kevin smiled.

"When people panic, they make mistakes."

James said nothing, watching the streetlights fly past the window, his eyes growing cold.

Early the next morning, just after dawn, Kevin came over.

"Mr. Anderson, there's movement at the Martinez Manor."

James had just finished washing up and was eating breakfast downstairs. Caroline was peeling a hard-boiled egg for him.

Hearing Kevin's words, James looked up.

"Go on."

"Leroy didn't sleep all night."

Kevin said.

"After he left, he stayed in his study making phone calls. Several of them."

"All to businessmen he used to have connections with."

Sounded like he was trying to find someone to plead his case, to get someone to let the Martinez family off the hook.

James nodded. As expected. Leroy was definitely calling in every favor he had.

"What about Iron Wolf's end?"

James asked.

"Just sent word."

Kevin said.

"Says they've narrowed down the location. It's in an abandoned warehouse at the foot of the mountains up north."

"Pretty isolated area. No houses around."

"Late last night, that van drove in and never came back out."

"Two guys guarding the entrance. Looks pretty tight."

James set down his utensils and wiped his mouth.

"Confirmed it's Adrian inside?"

"Not confirmed yet."

Kevin said.

"The warehouse windows are all sealed up. Can't see inside. Our people don't dare get too close, don't want to tip them off."

James nodded.

"No rush. Keep eyes on it. We'll move once it's confirmed."

"Understood."

In the study at the Martinez Manor, Leroy sat in his chair, eyes completely bloodshot.

He hadn't slept all night. He looked haggard.

The men he'd sent north had returned and stood across from the desk.

"Mr. Martinez, everything's arranged. Adrian's in the warehouse. Guards at the entrance. Totally secure."

"No one followed you, right?"

Leroy stared at him.

"No one."

The man shook his head.

"We took several detours. Made sure no one was tailing us before we went in."

Leroy relaxed slightly, leaning back in his chair.

"Good. Tell the men there to watch him carefully. Don't let him escape."

"And don't let him die. Especially don't let any outsiders get near."

"Understood."

The man nodded.

"Mr. Martinez, anything else?"

"No. You can go."

Leroy waved him off.

The man turned and left. Leroy was alone in the study again.

He stared at the desk, spacing out for a while, still uneasy.

What James said yesterday stuck in his mind like a thorn he couldn't pull out.

He couldn't shake the feeling that James knew everything already, just hadn't made his move yet.

Otherwise, why would he drive over late at night?

Just to say those cryptic things? Impossible.

The more Leroy thought about it, the more anxious he became. He rubbed his temples.

Maybe he should just do it—kill Adrian and be done with it.

Once he was dead, there'd be no testimony. Even if James suspected something, he wouldn't have proof.

The moment that thought surfaced, Leroy shuddered.

No, he couldn't do that. Adrian had dirt on him too.

Adrian knew everything about what happened back then. If he killed him...

What if Adrian had left some kind of insurance policy, evidence that would come out? He'd be finished anyway.

And James—what kind of man was he? Even Cedric fell to him.

If James found out he'd killed Adrian, he definitely wouldn't let it go.

Then it wouldn't be about handing over assets anymore. The whole family might end up dead.

The more Leroy thought, the more terrified he became. He couldn't kill him, couldn't release him.

Stuck in the middle. No way forward, no way back.

He let out a long sigh, his face full of worry.

After lunch, Iron Wolf called, his tone excited.

"Mr. Anderson, confirmed! It's Adrian inside!"

"The warehouse door opened earlier. Someone went in with food."

"Heard voices inside. It's him."

James's eyes darkened. Finally found him.

"How many guards around the perimeter?"

He asked.

"Not many."

Iron Wolf said.

"Maybe ten total. All Leroy's bodyguards. Nothing special about their skills."

"Our people are positioned all around. Ready to move anytime."

"No rush."

James said.

"I'm coming this afternoon."

"You're coming yourself?"

Iron Wolf paused.

"This is small-time stuff. We can handle it. Why make the trip yourself?"

"I need to go personally."

James's tone was calm but left no room for argument.

"This score, I need to settle it myself."

Iron Wolf immediately understood.

"Alright, I'll wait here. Be careful on your way over."

"Fine."

After hanging up, James stood there for a long moment, his fingers curling slightly into a fist.

Around two in the afternoon, James drove out.

Kevin went with him. No one else in the car, just the two of them.

They headed north. The farther they went, the more remote it became, the roads rougher.

Trees and wasteland on both sides. Not a soul in sight.

Kevin drove, glancing at James in the rearview mirror.

James leaned back in his seat, eyes closed, expression unreadable.

Kevin said nothing, focusing on the road.

The car was quiet except for the engine's hum.

After about an hour, they finally arrived.

Iron Wolf had been waiting. Seeing the car approach, he hurried over.

"Mr. Anderson."

James got out, scanning the surroundings.

At the foot of the mountain sat a lonely abandoned warehouse, its walls peeling.

Looked run-down and broken. Definitely a good place to hide someone.

"Everything in position?"

James asked.

"All set."

Iron Wolf said.

"Front and back exits are blocked. The people inside can't escape. Just waiting for your word."

James nodded.

"Let's go."