Chapter 138

Chapter 138

But right at that moment, Easton's eyes suddenly froze. He had actually stumbled upon something incredible.

"Everyone, look at this person."

Easton pointed to a photo in the file, his voice trembling with excitement.

"She grew up next door to Victor's ex-girlfriend. The two were as close as sisters. Three years ago, the Navy SEALs raided her neighbor's home and brutally killed the entire family. After that, this woman got caught up in the fallout and was framed by the same people involved. She ended up buried under a massive loan shark debt and had to come to America to work as a flight attendant just to pay it off."

"Here's the key part — not long ago, Victor personally stepped in and settled everything for her."

A flash of cruelty crossed Easton's eyes.

"Victor is eaten up with guilt over his dead ex-girlfriend, and that protective instinct naturally transferred to this neighbor of hers. And this woman — she's settled down right here in Atlanta. Most importantly, she's currently living in a civilian neighborhood with absolutely no security."

As he read this, Easton instinctively rubbed his eyes hard. He could barely believe it. Shura had actually left such a massive, fatal weak spot exposed.

He checked it over a dozen times, then copied the file to his phone and read through it a dozen more times before he finally let himself believe he was reading it right.

"She's the one." Easton pointed at the screen, a vicious look flashing in his eyes. Letting a gift like this slip by would be a crime against himself.

"Easton, are you sure about this? The file doesn't say anything about what kind of relationship she has with Victor," Noah said, sounding worried.

"It doesn't have to. Victor paid off two million dollars in loan shark debt for her." Easton let out a cold laugh. "You don't do that without saying a word unless there's something special going on."

Isaac nodded. "Easton's right. Use this woman, and we'll have Shura right where we want him."

Six hours later, darkness was falling.

Rowan was walking home, bag slung over her shoulder. Ever since she'd run into Victor again on that flight and lived through that terrifying hijacking, the weight of the debt had been lifted from her shoulders. Life had gotten much easier, and she'd found herself a quiet, low-key job.

In her free time, she'd sometimes go online and look up news about Victor. Watching him pull off one miracle after another filled her with pride. She still couldn't quite believe she had once known someone so extraordinary.

That thought made her smile. She was just about to turn the corner when a sharp-smelling cloth was suddenly pressed over her nose and mouth. Before she could even struggle, the strength drained from her body in an instant, and she lost consciousness.

Easton caught her as she fell, smirked, and waved his hand. "Done. Now we need to find a good out-of-the-way warehouse."

The other three nodded, quickly shoved Rowan into the trunk of the car, and drove off.

An hour later, Victor was watching TV at the estate when his phone screen suddenly lit up. He opened the anonymous message, and his expression went ice cold.

In the photo, Rowan was unconscious, tightly bound to a rusted iron chair. Below it was a single line of text: Respected Lord Shura, your reputation precedes you. We have taken the liberty of inviting your friend to Warehouse No. 9 on the west side of the city for a conversation. Please come alone. If you bring anyone with you, your friend will not survive.

Victor stared at the screen, his face darkening. The temperature in the entire living room seemed to drop.

Amelia noticed immediately that something was wrong and leaned over to look at the phone.

"They took Rowan?"

Victor flipped the phone face-down on the table, a cold, dangerous smile curling at the corner of his mouth. "Mira was right. They can't beat me, so they go after my friends. Looks like they're in a real hurry to die."

Amelia took a slow breath and looked at him with calm, steady eyes. "Victor, don't act on impulse. This is obviously a trap set specifically for you."

Just then, Makoto and Hela heard the commotion and came quickly down the stairs.

"Victor, you can't go alone!" Hela said, her expression grave. "We've all served in the military — you know how this works. In a kidnapping like this, they've definitely set a trap and they're just waiting for you to walk into it."

Makoto added, "That's right, Mr. Ashford. They want to make you angry so you stop thinking clearly. At the very least, let us send someone to scout the situation first."

Victor stood up and straightened his cuffs.

"Against overwhelming force, any trap is a joke."

His eyes were cold. "Three years ago, my carelessness got Ellie's entire family killed. Today, if anyone lays a single finger on Rowan, I'll make sure the whole Black Sun Cult goes down with her."

Those words left the room in brief silence.

Amelia looked at the resolve in his eyes and knew there was no talking him out of it. She took a deep breath, stepped forward, and straightened his collar. "Alright. Go. But you have to promise me you'll come back safe."

"Don't worry, Amelia." Victor patted the back of her hand. "Wait for me at home."

With that, Victor turned and walked out of the villa in long, steady strides.

Once in the car, he called April directly.

"Lord Shura, what are your orders?"

"Activate the Shura Blood Killing Order." Victor's voice was unnervingly calm, like he was talking about the weather.

But on the other end of the line, April's breath caught sharply. The Blood Killing Order meant no mercy, no survivors. It meant Shura Sanctum would mobilize in full force to completely eliminate the target — the highest-level combat order in Shura Sanctum's history.

"Lord Shura, who is the target? Do you need immediate backup?" April's voice went taut.

"The target is the Black Sun Cult." Victor's words came out cold and flat.

"Pass my orders. Shura Sanctum goes to full combat readiness immediately. Tell Phoenix, Ghost, and the others to lock down Atlanta right now. And I want the exact coordinates of the Black Sun Cult's headquarters within twelve hours. Today, I'm handling this myself."

April's grip tightened on the phone, and her blood ran hot. She knew — someone had crossed Victor's line.

"Understood!"

He hung up. Victor floored the accelerator, and the black SUV tore forward like a furious beast, heading straight for Warehouse No. 9.

Back in Riverton, April immediately began sending out top-level encrypted orders to Shura Sanctum's core operatives stationed around the world.

"All units, converge on Atlanta. Also, notify Eagle at headquarters — mobilize all heavy firepower. Prepare for a devastating strike against the Black Sun Cult."

The orders went out. April took a deep breath, a killing look flashing through her eyes.

"They went after the boss's friend. These idiots have no idea what's coming for them."