“Really?” This time, Pete was the one who was surprised


    When he first heard that the women trapped in the bomb shelter had been rescued, he considered many possible culprits. But he hadn’t expected it to be Felicia.


    “How did she get involved in this? Pete’s expression hardened<b>, </b>but he quickly rxed, taking a sip of the wine at his side. A familiar smirk curled on his lips. “Interesting No wonder Mr. Russell has his eyes on her. She’s certainly different”


    “Forget about being different! My n is urgent, and we can’t afford any more dys! Besides, that woman isn’t alone. She has a whole group protecting her. I barely escaped capture today!


    me


    The hooded man’s tone wasced with fury. He had always been untouchable. Yet today, he had been forced into such a disgraceful retreat. His eyes gleamed coldly. “We need to


    fast No more statine!”


    Pete didn’t argue. Instead, he nodded cooperatively. “Understood. I’ll <b>have </b>someone lure Felicia out. Once she’s within reach, you can use the bronze bell to control her. She’ll be ready to execute newmands when she loses consciousness.”


    “The sooner, the better. The longer we wait, the greater the risk. The hooded man’s anger simmered down, though he still cast Pete a wary nce. Pete was being surprisingly


    Was he really going along with the n…or was he scheming something else!


    Suspicion flickered in the hooded man’s eyes as he bluntly asked, “What exactly is your n?”


    Pete chuckled, setting his wine ss down. “<b>No </b>need to be so tense, sir. Aren’t we on the same boat?”


    Then, he pped his hands with a <b>knowing </b>smile. “I even prepared a little surprise for you. Why don’t you take <b>a </b><b>look</b>?”


    At his cue, footsteps echoed from behind a decorative screen. A delicate shadow appeared, outlined against the screen’s surface.


    A momentter, a beautiful young woman stepped into view. She was undeniably attractive, yet her lips were pressed into <b>a </b><b>tense </b>line. There was no innocence in barely restrained madness and a cold ruthlessness far beyond her years.


    There was also a certain sharpness to her presence.


    The hooded man spared her a nce before turning back to Pete. “What’s this supposed to mean?”


    n her gaze, only


    Pete’s tone remained light even as his words carried an unmistakable chill. “This is my n. She’s Johanna. I brought her out of the Russell residence. Once we’ve gained control over Felicia, I intend to have Johanna take her ce. What do you think of the idea, sir?!


    The hooded man narrowed his eyes at Pete suspiciously. Then, after a long pause, he finally muttered, “You really think this will work?”


    “With you involved, it will.” Pete remained humble.


    After all<b>, </b>only the hooded man had the power to wield the bronze bell. Their ability to control people was beyond imagination and could turn even the strongest–willed person into a mindless puppet


    And in the hands of the hooded man, the bronze bell had another function–hypnosis.


    Having been ttered, the hooded man said nothing further. He walked into a nearby room and shut the door behind him, leaving only a parting remark. “Call me when you need


    Me.”


    “Of course,” Pete <b>nodded </b>


    The door clicked shut, and silence returned to the space.


    Pete turned to Johanna. He knew she had already made up her mind, but he still felt the need to remind her onest time. “I want you to kill Stephan no matter what it takes, understand?”