Chapter 177 In the Name of God

"Nancy, Alan, Frank..."

Ronald sneered as he called out each name, shooting us a disdainful look before turning to gaze at the rising moon, his eyes glinting with a strange light.

"Do you even know what loneliness really is?"

"Needing company? That's a joke. The most superficial weakness of humanity. No one in this world gets you, and no one sticks around forever. Flowers wilt, the sun sets, beauty fades, and heroes fall. When you close your eyes and find yourself in darkness, amidst countless screams and roars, the torrent of time will wash you away completely, erasing everything—your shame, sorrow, and pain will vanish just the same."

Ronald pulled out a pack of cigarettes from his jacket, feeling the nearly empty, crumpled paper. He took out a cigarette, lit it with practiced ease, and exhaled smoke mixed with warm breath towards the moon.

He seemed like a monster, opening his mouth to devour the entire night sky.

He turned back to us, his gaze intense, and spoke slowly, "Only loneliness is eternal."

"The only weapon against eternity is power."

"Change this world, make it bow to you. When you reign supreme, all loneliness and pain will disappear. You'll be recorded in history, standing undefeated in the river of time, achieving immortality. You'll be a god."

Ronald abruptly turned and strode towards the rooftop.

"Even if thousands block my path, I'll fearlessly forge ahead."

"Now, in the name of god, I declare: you all shall be buried with the god!"

He pulled out a meticulously crafted pen from his pocket, its dark surface shimmering with a unique glow. He raised the pen high, examining it like a precious artifact.

"Nancy, you're smart, but you got one thing wrong."

I frowned, not responding, but kept a close watch on his movements.

Since Ronald started speaking, no one dared to make a move, focusing intently on him. He was like a ticking bomb, ready to explode at any moment.

"You said I was arrogant, that I was overconfident and thought I had everything under control, yet you didn't foresee this day."

His eyes lowered, a fleeting look of disappointment crossed them, followed by a slight smile. "When this building was constructed, I anticipated this day. The underground chamber was prepared for today. Unfortunately, these people managed to escape."

"You, Alan, Frank, you came up here with confidence, you have your plans, and so do I."

Ronald glanced at Tom, who had remained silent, and paused before continuing, "I misjudged you. I thought you were still that scared little boy afraid of the dark. It seems you've grown a bit."

Tom's eyes twitched slightly, but he didn't speak, acknowledging Ronald's words in his own way.

"Alright, tell me, what did Frank promise you to make you so loyal to him?"

"Friendship," Tom replied calmly.

"Something tangible," Ronald waved his hand dismissively, laughing. "At this point, why bother with empty words? Tell me, what do you want?"

Tom looked at him, his lips moving slightly, "An eye and a life. Return my eye, and give Joseph his life back."

Ronald bowed his head, deep in thought, then looked up, "Fine, let's die together. Go meet that androgynous thing and find your eye."

With that, he pressed the pen in his hand.

My heart tightened, my throat constricted.

I suddenly remembered—there were thousands of pounds of TNT buried here!

How could I forget such a crucial clue?

A huge mistake! My god, my mistake could cost everyone their lives today!

Instinctively, I turned and hugged Alan tightly, tears streaming down my face, muttering apologies.

He comforted me gently, his tone as calm as ever, as if it were a trivial matter.

My heart steadied. Years later, when I recalled this moment, it still sent chills down my spine. A fatal mistake—I forgot about the explosives on the roof of the True Love Entertainment Club!

I almost caused everyone to die here!

There was no searing pain, no deafening explosion, not even the sound of tearing agony.

It was as if nothing had happened.

Ronald stood frozen, seemingly realizing something, and let out a bitter laugh, sitting down on the rooftop.

Frank, immersed in grief, sneered. His hand still rested on Laura's head, gently stroking, as if they had never been apart.

"Your plan failed again, Ronald."

"The explosives—you thought of them, and so did I. Don't forget, I'm the major shareholder behind the True Love Entertainment Club. After years of managing it, I'm familiar with every corner here. How could I not know about the underground chamber or your plan to plant explosives?"

"Did you think everyone else was an idiot?"

Ronald's eyes widened, muttering "impossible, impossible."

Suddenly, he seemed to realize something and shouted, "Howard, you damned fool! I should have shot you dead. I spared your life, and now you want mine!"

"You lied to me! You said you'd never get involved in these matters again, that you'd have no ties with the old steel mill people. When I spared your life back then, what did you say? Twenty years ago, during the fire at the old steel mill, did you really think you were just collateral damage?"

What!

Howard was at the scene of the fire twenty years ago!

Howard was involved in this from the beginning!

I instinctively looked at Frank. These two had been plotting all these years. Howard deceived me too. From the start, it wasn't just Joseph who pulled me into this, but Howard as well!

The iron door to the rooftop, heavy as a thousand pounds, slowly, gradually, opened.

It seemed the person on the other side had used all their strength to push open this door, separating friendship, time, secrets, love, and other complex emotions.

I couldn't help but look towards the door, a sense of foreboding creeping into my heart.

Frank lifted his head, the victorious demeanor fading quickly. He looked at the unconscious Laura in his arms, full of tenderness, sighed deeply, and began to sob again.

His plan had succeeded, the crisis somewhat resolved. The light in his eyes was fading, as he held the woman he had loved and hated deeply, Laura.

Erica gasped in surprise, looking incredulously towards the door, shouting "No!"

The door opened, and a pair of polished shoes stepped inside.

Then, a figure emerged from the night, breaking the silence, and approached.

He wore an expensive floral suit, an electronic watch on his wrist, his face handsome, his eyes exuding a carefree and unrestrained aura.

Howard walked in.