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."

The man's smirk widened. "You have any idea who I am?"

Sophia met his stare but didn't speak.

Alex simply shrugged. "Beats me."

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."

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."

Bernard picked up a cigar from his coat pocket, slipped it between his lips, and struck a match.

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

exhaled a plume

fists, but Alex spoke

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

didn't steal anything.

"Listen, punk, I don't give

if

think it's yours. You're on my turf now.

a sneaky, underhanded thief, then guess what-you're

1/3

Chapter 194

at his words. This man's arrogance was suffocating. Nonetheless, Alex kept his

That's hardly reasonable."

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

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

fury flashed in Alex's eyes. His voice turned lethal. "You lay

make

tightened. She'd seen

own terror, a small jolt of pride

Bernard just

I'm so terrified, hotshot," he mocked,

me! You're just another loser who thinks he can waltz in here and talk

point of eyeing Sophia from head to

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

your

names."

a final sneer, Bernard slammed the door behind him, leaving Alex and

Outside the Police Station

dragged on, bleak and endless. Jack, Florence, and several other worried faces gathered outside the station, having

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