Chapter 22 Another Purpose
James's voice was cold and sharp.
"Let's see how long they can keep hiding."
Caroline breathed a sigh of relief beside him, breaking into a smile.
"That's great. Now they'll have no choice but to show themselves."
James ruffled her hair, his eyes growing even colder.
"That's not enough. I want to lure them to come to me."
That night, the dungeon at The Anderson Manor appeared loosely guarded, with only a few people on routine patrol.
James and Iron Wolf were in the nearby surveillance room, their eyes locked on the screens.
"Mr. Anderson, everything is set up according to plan."
James nodded slightly, his voice calm.
"Be patient. They'll come soon."
After one in the morning, several dark figures finally appeared on the surveillance footage. They moved with skill, avoiding the guards and silently approaching the dungeon entrance.
James's eyes instantly sharpened like blades.
"Execute the plan. Keep them alive. I'll question them myself."
"Yes!"
Deep in the dungeon, Trevor was chained up, looking haggard and living in constant fear.
Hearing footsteps outside, he immediately trembled all over and cowered in the corner.
The dungeon door was easily opened, and several dark figures with knives approached.
Trevor was scared out of his wits, breaking down and crying out for mercy.
Just as the blade was about to fall, the dungeon lights suddenly blazed bright.
Gunshots and shouts rang out simultaneously as members of Specter Syndicate who had been lying in wait rushed out and instantly subdued the intruders.
James walked in slowly, his gaze cold without a trace of warmth.
"Take them back. Interrogate them tonight."
When Trevor saw James appear, he grabbed onto him like a lifeline, crawling over and hugging his legs, tears and snot streaming down his face.
James only kicked him away in disgust, his tone indifferent.
"Don't touch me. You're not worthy."
Trevor didn't dare make another sound, curling up in the corner and trembling.
In the interrogation room, the lights were harsh and glaring.
Several assassins were firmly tied to chairs, their faces fierce, their eyes defiant, showing no fear at all.
James sat across from them, his presence overwhelmingly oppressive.
"Talk. Who sent you? Why kill Trevor? What do you know about what happened to the Anderson family ten years ago?"
The assassins remained silent, only staring at him coldly, sneers on their lips, looking ready to die rather than talk.
James gave a cold laugh, killing intent gradually building in his eyes.
He signaled to his subordinates.
The torture instruments came down, and agonized screams echoed through the interrogation room.
But even beaten bloody and barely breathing, those people still clenched their teeth and wouldn't say a single word.
James tried several of them in succession, with identical results.
These people had clearly received professional training and were unbelievably stubborn.
Iron Wolf's expression was grave.
"Mr. Anderson, they're too stubborn. They won't talk no matter how much we beat them."
James closed his eyes and took a deep breath, frustration surging again.
The lead had gone cold once more.
Were these people from Ironclad Weapons Corp, or was there another mastermind behind them?
"Lock them up for now. Keep them under strict guard."
He opened his eyes, his tone icy.
"Keep interrogating them. Use every method. I don't believe they can hold out forever."
"Yes!"
James turned and walked out of the interrogation room, his mood heavy as iron.
The next morning, several men in suits appeared at the entrance of The Anderson Manor, presenting an invitation.
The Turner family was hosting a banquet and inviting James to attend.
Iron Wolf held the invitation, his brow furrowed.
"Mr. Anderson, the Turner family's sudden invitation must be a trap."
James took the invitation and casually glanced at it, a mocking smile playing at his lips.
The Turner family had long coveted the Anderson family's assets and had previously colluded with Trevor. Now that he had regained control of the Anderson family, they naturally weren't willing to accept it.
"So what if it's a trap?" His tone was dismissive.
"I want to see what game they're trying to play."
"Mr. Anderson, maybe you shouldn't go. What if there's an ambush?"
"I have to go."
James's tone was firm.
"If they dare to invite me, I dare to go. Besides, it's a good chance to let them know that the Anderson family isn't something they can manipulate at will."
He gave orders.
"Bring ten members of Specter Syndicate along, and position backup forces around the perimeter in case something happens."
"Understood!"
Half an hour later, the convoy arrived at The Turner Manor.
The Turner family patriarch, Ronin Turner, personally led people out to greet them, all smiles, his attitude excessively respectful and glaringly fake.
"Mr. Anderson, what an honor to have you here. Please forgive us for not welcoming you properly."
James glanced at him coolly and didn't extend his hand, his aura cold and intimidating.
Ronin's smile froze, and he could only awkwardly withdraw his hand and lead him inside.
The villa was extremely luxurious, with antiques and paintings everywhere, exuding ostentatious wealth.
The banquet hall was already set with a feast, and the Turner family members lined up on both sides. Seeing James arrive, they all looked respectful, not daring to be negligent.
James casually took a seat, with Iron Wolf and the accompanying team members standing behind him, their eyes alert, their presence intimidating.
Ronin sat across from him, personally pouring wine, his smile polite.
But James didn't even touch the wine glass, his gaze cold.
"Mr. Turner, get to the point. I don't have time to waste here."
Ronin's expression stiffened slightly. Knowing he couldn't bluff his way through, he got straight to the point.
"Mr. Anderson, I invited you here today to discuss a business deal."
"A deal?"
James laughed mockingly, full of disdain.
"The Turner family and I have nothing to cooperate on."
"Mr. Anderson, you're joking."
Ronin quickly said.
"The Anderson family is at a critical moment right now. My Turner family is willing to offer fifty percent of our assets to join forces with the Anderson family and help you stabilize the situation. From now on, the Turner family will be at Mr. Anderson's disposal, with absolute loyalty."
Everyone was shocked.
No one expected Ronin to concede so much. Iron Wolf was also secretly alarmed, knowing there must be a trap.
But James just found it laughable.
This wasn't cooperation—it was clearly fear of retaliation, trying to avoid potential disaster by sacrificing money.
"Fifty percent of your assets?"
His tone was indifferent.
"You think I care about that?"
Ronin's face immediately darkened.
James didn't give him a chance to speak again, his tone suddenly turning harsh.
"I didn't come here today to discuss cooperation. I came to tell you that ten years ago, you participated in dividing up my parents' assets and shares. That debt—I'll settle it with you sooner or later."
Ronin's face went pale as he frantically tried to explain.
"Mr. Anderson, this is a misunderstanding. Everything back then was Trevor's doing. It had nothing to do with me!"
"Nothing to do with you?"
James laughed coldly, killing intent gradually showing.
"Even now, you still want to make excuses? You think I don't have evidence?"
Before he finished speaking, a young voice suddenly exploded.
Ronin's eldest son, Lachlan Turner, suddenly stood up, his face full of rage, pointing at James and cursing him out, his arrogance brazen.
The banquet hall instantly fell deathly silent.
Ronin's face changed dramatically as he sternly rebuked him, telling him to apologize.
But Lachlan remained arrogant, speaking recklessly.
James looked at him, his eyes cold as ice.
He didn't even bother to speak, just slightly raised his eyes and gave the team member beside him a look.
That team member moved like a ghost, instantly restraining Lachlan. A cold gleam flashed as the dagger fell cleanly.
An agonized scream pierced through the entire hall.
Lachlan's tongue was cut out, blood gushing, as he fell to the ground convulsing and rolling, unable to make a complete sound anymore.
The banquet hall was dead silent, everyone's face drained of color, their bodies trembling.
Looking at James, their eyes held only extreme terror.
Ronin looked at Lachlan on the ground, his face ashen, his whole body shaking, unable to say a word.