A loud whack echoed through the air as Darno’s hand knocked an incoming strike away, followed by a clean, brutal punch that sent the Black Hound member flying across the asphalt. The man hit the ground hard, skidding several meters before coming to a stop.
"And that’s them dealt with," Darno muttered, letting out a deep sigh as he straightened his posture. His fists were still clenched tight, and frustration pulsed through his chest , not just because of the fight, but because of what they had done to his car.
He glanced at the mangled metal behind him, his jaw tightening. The scratches, the dents, the smashed headlight , it all reminded him of his mistake. He had let them get away, and this, beating down their lackeys, was the only thing he could do now to make up for it.
"Whoa! That guy was amazing!"
Darno turned his head. There were several onlookers now , people who had gotten out of their cars after the crash, filming with their phones, whispering excitedly. They had watched him fight off the Black Hounds alone and were treating it like a scene out of a movie.
"Thank you, thank you!" Darno said, forcing a grin and waving at the crowd. "I’m from the Special Protection Services of the Billion Bloodline Group! If anyone’s looking for elite private security, please contact us!"
He gave a quick bow for good measure.
After the incident last time, the company had made him go through PR training , how to keep calm under pressure, how to turn an accident into good publicity. And now, somehow, those lessons were actually coming in handy.
With the men unconscious, Darno crouched beside one of them, searching through his pockets. Soon enough, he found a keyring , the keys to one of the SUVs.
"Perfect," he muttered, standing and heading toward one of the parked vehicles. He climbed inside, started the engine, and the car roared to life.
Most people would’ve gone straight to the hospital after a crash like that. But Darno knew his body better than anyone else. Aside from the cut on his head and a few bruises, nothing was serious. He wasn’t about to waste time.
With a hard spin of the wheel, he made a U-turn and started driving back toward the Billion Bloodline building. There was nothing more he could do now except report everything that had happened.
Back at headquarters, the atmosphere was tense.
Members of the Fortis Group , now officially part of the Billion Bloodline , were being treated in the building’s medical bay. Some were bandaged up, others were requesting leave to head to larger hospitals. Everyone was shaken. Reports were being written up and security footage reviewed. The police had already been contacted, and statements were being prepared.
But one person, far from the scene, was being briefed privately about everything that had happened.
"We were attacked?" Max asked, his voice calm but sharp. He had just received a call from Nesa and was listening intently.
"Yes," Nesa replied. "We’re still figuring out who they were or why they came here. From the security footage, they looked like mobsters. A group of armed men stormed the reception and caused significant damage. But..." She hesitated for a moment, her tone darkening. "There’s something more pressing."
"More pressing?" Max repeated, his eyes narrowing.
Nesa paused before finally speaking again. "The new intern, Sheri... she was taken by them."
The words hit like a knife to the chest. Max’s eyes widened, and both his fists tightened until his knuckles turned white.
Sheri.
Why her? Why were people connected to him always being dragged into danger? He had promised himself that this time would be different , that keeping her close, keeping everyone inside the company, would make them safe. But once again, something had happened.
Without saying another word, Max ended the call and immediately headed for the reception. His footsteps echoed sharply against the marble floor as he moved. He needed answers , directly from the people who had been there.
If the attackers were connected to any known group, he could use his own network across Notting Hill to track them down. But to do that, he needed to know exactly who they were after.
He questioned several employees on the reception floor, but the answers were scattered and incomplete. No one knew much.
Then, outside the glass doors, he heard it , the sharp sound of tires screeching across the courtyard.
Max turned and walked out to see what was going on.
In the open area, Aron and Na were standing together, talking quietly. Just behind them, a black SUV had pulled up. The engine cut off, and the door opened.
Darno stepped out.
"Na said you chased after them," Aron said immediately, getting straight to the point. "Did you manage to find out where they were heading?"
Darno blinked. He hadn’t expected someone like Aron to take charge so quickly , the man spoke with the tone of someone used to giving orders. Darno knew Aron was connected to Max, but from how Na stood beside him, it almost seemed like Aron was Na’s superior as well.
Still, Darno didn’t waste time arguing. The situation was too serious.
"They rammed me off the road," Darno said, shaking his head. "I wasn’t able to see where they went, but I remember their license plate. As for the guy who took her, I’ve got no idea who he is. I’ve never seen him before."
"I know who he is," Na said quietly.
Everyone turned toward him.
"Tell me," Max’s voice cut through the air from behind them. He was walking toward the group now, his expression dark and unreadable. Each step he took was heavy, controlled, but his eyes burned with anger.
Na looked up as Max stopped in front of them.
"You said you knew who they were, right?" Max asked, his voice low but firm. "Tell me , so we can do whatever it takes to get her back."
Na nodded once. He recognized the man clearly.
"The one who took her," Na said. "He’s known as the Enforcer , Jett, the Enforcer of the Black Hounds."