Chapter 192
The clang of metal against concrete shattered the silence, and the heavy door groaned open.
A harsh overhead light snapped on, searing Alex’s and Sophia’s eyes until they squeezed them shut.
Their hearts thumped in the stale, suffocating darkness, though Alex wore a calm look that bordered on nonchalance.
A broad-shouldered man lumbered in, sporting a gut that looked like it belonged in a beer commercial.
He dropped onto a rickety chair beside the table, flipped a switch on the lamp,
and leaned in with a smirk that made Sophia’s stomach knot.
“Pfft. So you’re Alex,” he drawled, voice dripping with contempt.
Alex kept his gaze steady, adjusting to the glare. “Yeah. I’m Alex. Nice to meet you, I guess p>
The man’s smirk widened. “You have any idea who I am p>
Sophia met his stare but didn’t speak.
Alex simply shrugged. “Beats me p>
The big man made a show of puffing up his chest. “Name’s Bernard. Folks around here call me ‘The Vampire. Not that I’m a bloodsucker by choice-I just do what needs doin’ to get what I want p>
Sophia’s face went pale.
She’d heard that nickname-this inspector was renowned for extortion, cruelty, and turning prisoners into desperate, broken shells.
Everyone in the underworld knew it was best to stay off his radar or cough up cash if you fell into his clutches. But right now, she and Alex had no escape route.
Despite the tense air, Alex offered a polite nod. “Mr. Bernard. We’ve heard stories, sure. Seems you’ve got a… reputation p>
Bernard picked up a cigar from his coat pocket, slipped it between his lips, and struck a match.
Smoke curled above his head as he fixed Alex with a predator’s grin. “Since you’re already wise to the rumors, let me lay it out nice and easy. We can do this the friendly way, or I can get real nasty. And let me tell you, ‘nasty’ is something I excel at p>
He inhaled deeply, then exhaled a plume of acrid smoke in Sophia’s direction.
She clenched her fists, but Alex spoke first. “What do you want from us p>
“Wild Ginseng root,” Bernard said, leveling a stubby finger at Alex. “You and your girlfriend stole it—so they tell me-and now the rightful owner wants compensation. You cough up what they want, and maybe I’ll forget about pressing charges.” 1
Alex forced a calm grin. “I didn’t steal anything. That’s my Ginseng, fair and square p>
Bernard’s booming laugh rattled the furniture. “Listen, punk, I don’t give a rat’s ass
if
you think it’s yours. You’re on my turf now. My word is law p>
“If I say you’re a sneaky, underhanded thief, then guess what-you’re a sneaky, underhanded thief. Got it p>
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Sophia felt a chill across her shoulders at his words. This man’s arrogance was suffocating. Nonetheless, Alex kept his composure.
That’s hardly reasonable p>
Bernard’s eyes narrowed to hateful slits. “You calling me unreasonable? Son, you have no idea how generous I’m being. You’ve got two choices: Either strike a deal with Sir Raymond, or rot in a cell until your hair turns gray. And if you pick door number two, well p>
He jerked his thumb at Sophia. “Your lovely lady here can keep you company. But, ah, let’s just say a knockout like her might draw some extra attention behind bars. If you’re cool with your ‘delicate flower’ gettin’ trampled, by all means, tell me to shove off p>
An ice-cold fury flashed in Alex’s eyes. His voice turned lethal. “You lay so much
as a finger on her, I’ll make you wish you’d never been born p>
For a split second, Sophia’s chest tightened. She’d seen Alex’s temper flare before, but never this fierce.
Despite her own terror, a small jolt of pride flickered in her.
Yet Bernard just roared with laughter.
“Oh, I’m so terrified, hotshot,” he mocked, words dripping with sarcasm.
“Please, spare me! You’re just another loser who thinks he can waltz in here and talk tough. I see your type every damn week p>
He made a point of eyeing Sophia from head to toe.
“I’m feeling generous, so I’ll give you thirty minutes to snap out of your delusional fantasy. If you’re not ready to cooperate by then, I’ll bury you and your beautiful woman so deep that even the cockroaches won’t remember
your
names p>
With a final sneer, Bernard slammed the door behind him, leaving Alex and Sophia in a darkness.
Outside the Police Station
The night dragged on, bleak and endless. Jack, Florence, and several other worried faces gathered outside the station, having just managed to bail themselves out for a couple hundred bucks.
They paced anxiously, glancing at the station doors every time they swung open.
Sophia meant everything to the Lancaster clan-without her, their entire family might collapse.
“I can’t believe it’s come to this,” Florence muttered, arms crossed tight around her torso. “If anything happens to her, we’re done p>
A policeman named Joseph stepped out of the station, and Jack rushed forward. “Mr. Joseph, any luck? Can you get my sister released p>
Joseph rubbed his temples, eyes shifting. “I asked around. Here’s the deal. Bernard wants ten million. Cold, hard cash p>
Florence’s gasp sounded almost comical. “T-ten million? Is the man insane? Where the hell are we supposed to pull that out of thin air p>
“That’s highway robbery,” Jack spat, his anxiety turning to anger. “We don’t have that kind of money. What else
Chapter 194
can we do? Is there any way to make him see reason p>
Joseph held up a placating hand. “I’ll see what I can do, but no promises p>
Jack fumbled with his wallet and pulled out a sleek bank card. “Listen, I can give you three million-right now. Just please, do something. That’s all I’ve got p>
Joseph pocketed the card with a discreet nod. “I’ll give it my best shot,” he murmured before turning on his heel and disappearing back inside. Florence watched him go with doubt etched across her face. “Jack… that’s three million bucks. Do you seriously think he’ll come through p>
“We have no choice,” Jack bit out. “This might be the only chance to free Sophia p>
Florence’s eyes burned with fury as she spat onto the cold ground. Her voice trembled with venom, each word laced with pure, seething hatred.
“I hope he chokes on that filthy money-gasping, clawing, begging for air-until there’s nothing left of him but silence p>
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Chapter 195