Pampered by my three brothers: the return of the neglected heiress

Chapter 1556: The man saw what he shouldn't.

Intimidation didn't need a lot of words - something Hugo had learned over the years of serving his country. All he needed was to show intent, and people like this guy would sing like canaries.

After all, the toughest enemies Hugo had ever faced weren't the street thugs whose confidence came from their crew or weapons. No, the real threats were those who fought for a cause, who believed in something deeply enough to die for it their country, their people, their ideals.

Seated on the chair once more, Hugo listened to everything the man was saying. Stephen, standing off to the side, furrowed his brows as he listened.

"I swear," the man huffed, tempted to raise a hand to emphasize his sincerity-but alas, they were tied behind his back. "That's all I know. They told me if I planted that bomb... they'd take care of my little brothers and sisters."

Stephen pressed his lips into a thin line before his eyes flared with anger. "You expect me to believe that? That you'd willingly throw your life away for a few bucks?!"

"For you, it's a few bucks - you're a rich guy!" the man snapped. "But for us, that's already a fortune!"

Stephen's fist trembled. A threat to his life was one thing — but to hear the price they'd put on his head? Not even a hundred thousand?! Was that all he was worth?

"Hugo, he's lying!" he shouted, pointing accusingly at the man. "This guy's lying! Don't fall for his sob story!"

"I'm telling the truth!" the man hissed, turning desperately to Hugo. "I swear! Check it yourself - I'm not lying!"

Hugo just looked at him lazily, as if the whole thing was a boring lecture. Then, casting Stephen a slow glance, the same thought flickered across his mind:

This is why I prefer working alone.

to him, Hugo," Stephen insisted, shaking his head. "We can't trust a single word out of this guy's

said with a slow blink, "have

guard. "What does

have. He has. And I've seen countless people with no choice but to sleep in a concrete pipe just to stay safe," Hugo continued in the same calm tone. "You're angry that this guy agreed to risk your life and his for what you think is pocket change. But

his lips tightly,

meanwhile, exhaled. It wasn't out of relief — just a heavy breath weighed down by the reality of

a way of life. If he weren't in one, he was a target. He joined at sixteen. Later, their

one: a suicide

to his siblings once he succeeded. And with that in mind-and knowing what would happen if he refused - he hoped, at the

if that's true..." Stephen's voice shook as he stared at the man. "What makes you think

gaze. "Because I know they will. That's our gang. Violent, sure-but we stick

it, but in the man's world, that was

so noble when

man pressed his mouth and looked away

you know me?" Hugo cut in before this could

me, you reacted.

this mission...

"Me?"

nodded. "You saved that woman, didn't

Mint?