Chapter 25.2

In that split second, they dashed out of the room. Their movements were swift as they sprinted up the stairs to the rooftop. Once there, they locked the door behind them.

Mo Zimu, pointing toward the other building, said, “There’s a way from this rooftop to the next building.” But when Ivan looked at the distance between the two buildings, he frowned. There was a gap of at least seven or eight meters.

Mo Zimu smiled slightly. He pulled a thick wooden board from behind the rooftop pipe and placed it between the two buildings.

Ivan glanced at the board and clicked his tongue. “It’s pretty narrow!”

Mo Zimu stepped onto the edge and placed his foot on the board. He turned back to flash Ivan a smile. Ivan’s heart skipped a beat for no reason. Just as he returned the smile, Mo Zimu had already begun walking across, his steps light and steady.

Halfway across, he closed his eyes. Step by step, he made his way across the narrow plank, high above the city.

Ivan’s heart pounded violently. It wasn’t until Mo Zimu reached the other side safely that he finally exhaled, realizing his back was drenched in sweat.

“I’m coming,” he called out, waving to Mo Zimu.

But in the next instant, Mo Zimu suddenly reached down and yanked the wooden plank away.

Ivan’s eyes widened.

Mo Zimu looked at him and said, “Ivan, I did enjoy our little escape act, but unfortunately, I prefer traveling alone.”

“What did you say?” Ivan frowned.

“I know you’re a close associate of the Geoffrey family, their representative in the Americas. And you’re the only one in the Bonanno family willing to support them. Geoffrey Sr. is a pragmatic man. He wouldn’t risk putting one of his key partners in danger just to give his son a present. You only dared to come to England with just Sticks because you knew this, didn’t you?”

Ivan was about to speak when Mo Zimu raised his hand, revealing a phone.

At that moment, realization struck Ivan. He quickly patted his pocket, only to find his phone missing.

Inside was a call record with Old Man Geoffrey, one he hadn’t yet deleted.

Now, trying to say anything would seem a bit forced and ridiculous. Ivan laughed openly. “Baby, I really thought you’d enjoy this thrilling little game.”

Mo Zimu smiled slightly and said, “Ivan, can I make my exit now?” He placed the phone on the rooftop and turned, walking away in a carefree manner.

With no means of communication left, Ivan had no choice but to wait as the men below stormed the building. The door was soon kicked open, and a middle-aged man with an imposing presence stepped onto the rooftop.

His features were quite handsome, though it was easy to overlook this at first glance.

Standing beside Ivan, he observed him for a moment before saying, “Never thought I’d see the day you got played by that kid.”

Ivan chuckled. “Which is why I’ll never find someone as… captivating as Seven again.”

The man laughed and said, “Then you’d better get him out of the UK quickly, or I might change my mind!”

Ivan replied, “You won’t.”

The man furrowed his brow, but Ivan smiled and added, “Because Geoffrey’s a practical man… that’s what someone just said about you!”

The man’s face twisted as if he had bitten his tongue, and he scowled, “That brat… No wonder Geoffrey is so obsessed with him. Just take care of him already.”

—

Mo Zimu was strolling out from the other end of Chinatown. He hadn’t walked far when a chill suddenly ran down his spine. He spun around quickly and saw Jude holding a gun behind him.

“You?!” Mo Zimu’s voice carried a trace of surprise.

Jude smiled. “Seven, we meet again.”

Mo Zimu’s gaze flicked to the gun, and an overwhelming sense of regret filled him. If he had to choose, he’d rather be on the run with Ivan than fall into this snake’s hands.

Jude grabbed Mo Zimu’s arm tightly, dragging him forward. A black sedan lay in wait just ahead.

Mo Zimu exhaled. “You should at least wait until Geoffrey actually controls the family before working so hard for him. Old Man Geoffrey doesn’t appreciate people as clever and efficient as you handling business he disapproves of.”

Jude chuckled. “Who said this was Geoffrey’s car? Take a guess.”

Mo Zimu’s face paled instantly.

Jude leaned in and whispered into his ear, “Tell me, young Master Sutherland. If you had a second chance, would you still have abandoned me in prison?”

A bodyguard stepped out of the car and pulled the door open. Mo Zimu was shoved inside. Jude followed, picking up a thick rope from the floor and tying Mo Zimu’s hands tightly behind his back.

“Seven, I know you learned a lot at Mammon,” Jude mused. “So did I. I know you’re good at unlocking handcuffs, but let’s see if you can get out of this.” Then he issued the order: “To the West African docks.”

The bodyguards hesitated.

Jude’s voice was casual. “We’ll deal with him there. Tossing him into the ocean means fewer loose ends.”

Mo Zimu closed his eyes, his mind racing with thoughts, but he wasn’t sure how to escape from this snake. Jude seemed to know so much about him, but he lacked enough understanding of this constantly evolving snake.

The only thing he was certain of was that Jude wouldn’t necessarily follow Kiefer’s plan to kill him and dispose of his body.

Beyond that, he couldn’t guess.

The car stopped at the dock. It was a private dock, eerily quiet at this hour, with containers and scrap metal scattered around.

“We’re here,” one of the bodyguards announced.

Before anyone could react, a gunshot rang out.

Blood sprayed into the air. Even with his eyes closed, Mo Zimu felt warm droplets land on his face.

Everyone had underestimated Jude, assuming he was just another lackey. But no one truly understood how extreme and unpredictable he could be. Anyone who tried to control him paid the price. Kiefer included.

“Oops, I got ahead of myself,” Jude said with a smile.

He knelt, rifled through the dead bodyguards’ pockets, and retrieved a communication device. Holding it up, he spoke into it.

“Kiefer, did you hear that gunshot?”

Silence.

Then Kiefer’s voice came through. “Why isn’t Milton reporting in?”

“Because I killed him,” Jude replied.

“You what?!”

Jude’s lips curled into a smirk. “Kiefer, were you expecting me to sit still and wait for your men to take me out? Would that have satisfied you?”

Another pause.

Then Kiefer’s tone shifted, measured and cautious. “Where’s Seven?”

“He’s right here with me. Do you want to say hello to your brother?” Jude laughed.

“No need. Jude, I’m transferring ten million pounds to your account. Finish him.”

Jude let out a cold laugh. “Kiefer, do you really think you still have any credibility left?”

Kiefer’s voice darkened. “What do you want?”

“You bring one million pounds in cash, and we’ll do it right. Hand over the money, and I’ll hand over Seven. If you want to kill and cook your brother, that’s your business. I’m not concerned. But you come alone. If you try anything funny… well, Seven and I were once cellmates. We have some old ties. If I’m feeling generous, I might just send the recording of this conversation to the police.

Jude paused deliberately before adding, “I’m sure Seven would love an early inheritance of the Sutherland fortune.”

“You… recorded this?!” Kiefer roared.

Mo Zimu almost laughed. Without their privileges, nobles really didn’t stand much of a chance against criminals when put on equal footing.

“Come alone, and I’ll throw in the recording tape as a freebie. And don’t tell me you don’t have the cash. I know the Sutherland family doesn’t get along too well with the British government. You must have some emergency stashes lying around.”

Kiefer fell silent for a long time before finally asking, “Where are you?”

“The West Africa Dock. You know they’ve been tidying it up recently, but it’s still quite secluded… After crossing London Bridge, head west. When you see the Tower of London, get out and walk. Ten minutes and you’ll be there. From here, I can see whether you’ve come alone. I’m not very patient, and I know your villa isn’t far. I want to see you within an hour.”

“…Fine!” After a long pause, Kiefer finally gave in.

Jude glanced at Mo Zimu and suddenly chuckled. He searched Mo Zimu’s body, found a phone, and dialed a number. When the line connected, he said, “Father Merlin? Is that you?”

Mo Zimu, who had been keeping his eyes closed, suddenly opened them wide. He tried to sit up, but Jude slapped him hard across the face, sending him tumbling back onto the sofa.

Blood trickled from the corner of Mo Zimu’s mouth, yet he stayed silent.

“And you are?” Despite being awakened abruptly from his sleep, the man on the other end of the line remained calm and gentle.

“A good friend of Seven’s.”

“Seven? What happened to him?!” Merlin’s voice instantly sharpened.

“Nothing much. He’s still alive…”

“What do you want?”

“One million dollars, and he’ll stay that way.”

“Deal!”

“Good. Bring the money yourself. Only you.”

“No!” Mo Zimu couldn’t hold back any longer. On the other end, Merlin panicked. “Seven? Seven, are you okay?”

Seeing Mo Zimu’s pain and anxiety seemed to please Jude immensely. Smirking, he said, “You heard him, didn’t you?”

“Can I come instead?” A new voice suddenly cut in. It was calm, soft even, but carried an undeniable authority.

It was Rong Qing. Mo Zimu closed his eyes briefly.

Jude hesitated for a moment before a sly smile appeared on his lips. “Ah, young master Cruz. What a surprise. I thought you weren’t in England.”

“No, I’m here. I’ll go. Give me the phone, Rong Qing!” Merlin’s voice came from the other end, the two of them seemingly struggling over the phone.

“Give it to me!” Mo Zimu snapped.

Jude hesitated briefly but then smiled mockingly. “What’s the matter? Can’t stand hearing your old lover so affectionate with someone else?”

Anything that caused Mo Zimu pain delighted him. He pressed the phone to Mo Zimu’s ear.

“Rong Qing!” Mo Zimu called.

The person on the other end paused for a moment, their voice slightly hoarse. “Seven, are you alright?”

“Put Lin Lin on. I have something to say to him,” Mo Zimu said flatly, showing no interest in speaking with Rong Qing any further.

Merlin practically lunged at the phone. “Seven, Seven, I’ll go!” he cried.

Mo Zimu paused slightly before speaking. “Lin Lin, what is your final wish?”

Merlin froze, and Mo Zimu smiled faintly.

“The devil granted the fisherman three wishes. Once those wishes are fulfilled, the devil can be free. I want freedom, so Lin Lin… let me grant your final wish.”

His lips trembled slightly as he continued, “Let me say it for you. Your final wish is that I ensure Rong Qing returns safely to your side.”

Jude let out a cold sneer.

The sound of Merlin’s sobbing came through the line. Through his tears, he choked out, “Seven, I just… I just want the two of you to be happy.”

“Happiness isn’t eternal,” Mo Zimu said softly. “It’s just a fleeting moment of satisfaction. Like when I granted you those three wishes, I felt satisfied, even happy. Rong Qing and I also had moments of happiness… But since it’s something so elusive, so unpredictable, why should we struggle so hard to chase it?”

Merlin didn’t respond, only sobbed quietly.

Jude pulled the phone away and said, “West Africa Dock. I’m not very patient. You have two hours to gather the money and bring it here. After crossing London Bridge, stop 300 meters away from the dock and walk the rest of the way. Make sure I see that Rong Qing is the only one coming.” He hung up.

Jude glanced at Mo Zimu with a smirk before dialing another number. This time, a deep, magnetic male voice came through, laced with a hint of playful indifference.

Mo Zimu closed his eyes and said, “You’re insane.”