Chapter 198 Caught Them

Chapter 198 Caught Them

He led the way toward the warehouse, with Iron Wolf and Kevin flanking him on either side.

Behind them trailed over a dozen Specter Syndicate members, all armed and ready.

When they reached the warehouse entrance, the two guards posted there didn't even have time to react.

Specter Syndicate operatives took them down, gagged them, tied them up, and tossed them aside.

Iron Wolf stepped forward and slammed his foot into the door.

The door burst open with a crash.

The people inside heard the commotion and panicked, scrambling for their weapons.

"Who's there?"

James didn't answer. He just strode inside.

The warehouse was dim, its windows boarded up with planks.

Only a few bare bulbs hung overhead, casting a sickly yellow glow over piles of old crates scattered across the floor.

In the center, a cleared space held a bed and a single table.

In the murky light, a dozen or so guards raised their guns with trembling hands.

When they recognized James walking in, panic seized them instantly—their fingers barely steady enough to hold the triggers.

Iron Wolf waved his hand. The mercenaries behind him surged forward with brutal efficiency.

Within seconds, they'd disarmed the guards, bound them, and dumped them in the corner.

The whole thing took less than thirty seconds. There wasn't even time for a scream.

James's gaze swept past the chaos on the floor and locked onto the table at the far end.

A man in a wrinkled shirt stood there, his hair slicked with grease, his face deathly pale.

He clung to the edge of the table, his whole body shaking. It was Adrian.

The moment their eyes met, Adrian's legs buckled.

He nearly collapsed on the spot. He gripped the table's edge so hard his nails dug into the wood, barely keeping himself upright.

"James?"

His voice trembled with disbelieving terror.

"How did you find this place?"

James didn't answer. He moved forward, his footsteps light.

But each step on the dusty concrete floor landed like a hammer blow on Adrian's heart.

With every step closer, Adrian's face grew a shade paler.

When James stopped a few paces away, he glanced around the decrepit warehouse.

Then his gaze returned to Adrian's face, his tone cold as ice.

"Adrian. Finally found you."

Adrian swallowed hard, his back pressed flat against the wall. Nowhere left to run.

He forced out a smile that looked worse than crying.

"James, let's talk this out. I'm your uncle—we're family.

What happened back then was all a misunderstanding. I was forced into it. I had no choice!"

"Uncle?"

James let out a low laugh, but it didn't reach his eyes. Instead, it dripped with frost.

"When you backstabbed my parents, seized all the family assets, and spread word that I was dead—did you think about us being family then?"

With each sentence, Adrian's head dropped lower.

Cold sweat streamed down his forehead, soaking his collar. His whole body shook like a leaf.

"No, it wasn't like that!"

Adrian stammered desperately, words tumbling out incoherently.

"They threatened me! Said if I didn't do it, they'd kill me too! I was forced!"

"Forced?"

James took another step forward. The pressure was suffocating.

"Was it someone else who forced you to drug Caroline?"

"Was it someone else who forced you to send people to ambush me?"

Adrian was struck speechless, his lips quivering. Not a single word came out.

He knew denial was useless now.

If James had tracked him down here, he had all the evidence.

Adrian dropped to his knees. The impact echoed sharply through the warehouse.

"James, I was wrong! I know I was wrong!"

He kowtowed as he spoke, his forehead slamming against the concrete.

"I'll return everything—all the assets. I'll leave the country immediately."

"I'll never come back! Please, for my father's sake, spare my life!"

His forehead quickly turned red, blood beginning to seep through.

James looked down at him, his expression completely unmoved.

Like watching an ant struggle in its death throes.

"Who's going to give back my parents' lives? Who's going to give back the life Caroline nearly lost?"

With each question, Adrian's trembling intensified.

By the end, he'd slumped onto the floor, his face ashen.

"Blood debts are paid in blood."

James's voice was quiet, but it carried an unshakable finality.

"What you owe me has been overdue for ten years. Today, we settle accounts."

Seeing that begging was useless, a flash of viciousness flickered in Adrian's eyes.

He suddenly reached under the table, pulled out a gleaming knife, and lunged at James with a roar.

"I'll take you down with me!"

Kevin started to move, but James sidestepped smoothly.

He caught Adrian's wrist in a reverse grip, his fingers tightening slightly.

Crack!

The sound of bone snapping rang out sharp and clear.

Adrian let out a bloodcurdling scream. The knife clattered to the floor.

He clutched his mangled wrist, writhing on the ground in agony, cold sweat and dust smearing his face.

James released him like he'd touched something filthy.

"Take him."

At his curt order, Iron Wolf stepped forward immediately.

He hoisted Adrian up like a rag doll and trussed him up efficiently.

Adrian gasped for air, coughing violently.

He looked up at James, eyes filled with pure terror.

"James, I really know I was wrong. What happened back then wasn't all my idea—Leroy was in on it too!"

James raised an eyebrow. He'd already known the Martinez family was involved.

He just hadn't expected Adrian to rat them out so quickly.

"Keep talking."

Adrian latched onto this lifeline like a drowning man.

"It's true! Back then, it was Leroy who made the connection with Ironclad Weapons Corp."

"He'd had his eye on the Anderson family for ages. Wanted to swallow up the Anderson family's business in Pinecrest City."

"When I went into hiding in Silvermoon City, he was the one who arranged my safe house."

"The poison used on Caroline—he got someone to supply the ingredients."

"And those times people were sent to kill you? His men were mixed in too!"

Adrian spilled everything in one breath. All he wanted now was to survive.

He'd already hit rock bottom anyway. Dragging Leroy down with him might even work in his favor.

Maybe if James got busy dealing with the Martinez family, he'd have a shot at staying alive.

James let out a cold laugh.

"You think throwing him under the bus will save you?"

Adrian's face paled further.

"That's not what I meant. I'm just telling the truth. Leroy's no saint either—you can't let him off!"

"I don't need you to tell me that."

James turned and headed for the exit.

"The Martinez family won't get away with any of this."

Iron Wolf hauled Adrian along behind him. Kevin sidled up and asked,

"Mr. Anderson, should we head straight to the Martinez Manor now? Want me to call in more backup?"

"No need."

James opened the car door and slid inside.

"Surround the Martinez Manor. Don't let a single person escape."

"Got it."

Kevin pulled out his phone and started sending messages.

Iron Wolf stuffed Adrian into the trunk. Adrian whimpered from inside.

"Don't shove me in here! I can't breathe!"

No one paid him any attention. Iron Wolf slammed the trunk shut.

The car headed toward the city center. James leaned back in his seat, eyes closed.

Kevin glanced at him in the rearview mirror but didn't dare say a word.