“Kim, what’s the big deal? Spit it out.” The voice on the other end of the phone was deep and carried a hint of excitement. He knew Kim rarely got involved in anything himself, so when he did, it meant there was a big opportunity.
The shop owner briefly explained the situation to Glenn and added in a cold tone, “Make sure you handle this cleanly.”
“Kim, don’t worry. I’ll round up the guys and get to work!” Glenn hung up the phone.
Next, Leo picked a gambling stone at the antique street, and then the three of them drove back home.
Sophia was driving, Leo sat in the passenger seat, and Martin sat in the back, still holding onto the calligraphy work with a blissful expression.
As they left the bustling city behind and entered a quieter road, Sophia glanced at Leo, seemingly wanting to ask something.
Leo noticed her gaze and leaned back comfortably in his seat, saying, “Sophia, don’t hold back. You can ask me anything.”
“I can’t figure it out. How did you know there was another calligraphy piece inside that artwork?” Sophia voiced her doubts.
“If I said I guessed it, would you believe me?” Leo’s lips curled up in a hint of a smile.
Sophia rolled her eyes and said, “Cut it out. If you don’t want to tell me, forget it.”
“Okay, I’ll tell you the truth. I used my extraordinary eyes to see it. I have X-ray vision,” Leo said, extending his right hand and tapping his index and middle fingers against his eyes.
Sophia couldn’t help but snort. “You’re incorrigible.”
Seeing Sophia’s playful irritation, Leo realized he was enjoying this. Just as Leo was about to tease her some more, he suddenly lurched forward.
If he hadn’t been wearing his seatbelt, Leo’s head would have hit the windshield.
It turned out that Sophia had suddenly slammed on the brakes, and the strong inertia caused Martin, who was in the backseat lost in appreciation of the calligraphy, to bump into the front seat.
Even so, Martin didn’t release his grip on the calligraphy work; instead, he winced and said, “Darling, what are you doing!?”
Sophia extended her hand and pointed ahead, looking somewhat panicked. “A car suddenly sped out from the intersection!”
Leo looked ahead and saw a Jeep coming out of the intersection, abruptly changing direction to drive against the traffic toward their Mercedes-Benz.
“Reverse quickly!” Leo shouted urgently.
Sophia, who had been startled by the sudden turn of events, hesitated for a moment.
Leo quickly shifted the gear into reverse and said, “Step on the gas!”
In times of panic, one could always rely on a woman’s instinct when it came to stepping on the gas pedal.
The Mercedes-Benz quickly reversed, but at the same time, another van rushed out of the intersection behind them.
Sophia had no choice but to slam on the brakes.
Now, the Mercedes-Benz was sandwiched between the Jeep and the van.
Immediately, several men got out of the Jeep and the van. Some held steel pipes, while others had knives. Led by a chubby man, they surrounded the Mercedes-Benz.
“Bam!” The chubby man used his steel pipe to slam the front of the Mercedes-Benz and yelled, “Everyone get out of the car!”
Sophia had already realized the impending danger and was about to dial the police.
Leo, however, reached out and stopped her. “No need to call the police. These guys are after the calligraphy piece.”
Then Leo turned to Martin. “Dad, give me the calligraphy piece. I’ll get out and deal with them.”
Martin clutched the calligraphy work tightly, unwilling to let go. “Leo, don’t get out. Call the police quickly. I won’t give them the calligraphy piece no matter what!”
Seeing Martin’s determination, Leo sighed. “Dad, trust me, they won’t be able to take the calligraphy piece.”
Martin continued to shake his head. Sophia, aware of how Leo had even managed to subdue Philip, still had confidence in him. She became increasingly anxious, seeing her father’s reaction.
“Dad, please listen to Leo. Otherwise, these guys might break the car windows and take the calligraphy piece. Right now, our safety is the priority. We need to stay safe to report this and then get the calligraphy piece back,” Sophia urged.
Sophia had never encountered a situation like this, but considering the value of the calligraphy piece, she understood that these robbers were capable of anything.
Another loud “bang” echoed as one of the robbers started smashing the car window.
Martin was startled, and his body trembled. Leo quickly gave him another tranquilizer. “Dad, give me the calligraphy piece, and I promise I’ll get it back to you in perfect condition.”
Leo was well aware that the robbers were after the calligraphy, so he had to hold onto them himself to ensure Sophia and Martin’s safety.
After a brief inner struggle, Martin reluctantly handed over the calligraphy work to Leo.
With the calligraphy piece in hand, Leo opened the car door and got out. Sophia and Martin followed suit.
As soon as the chubby man and his men saw Sophia, their eyes lit up with greed and malice, scanning her perfect figure.
The chubby man approached Sophia and grinned, “Hello, beautiful. Nice to meet you.”
Sophia felt her heart tighten and stepped back, seeking refuge behind Leo.
Leo raised the calligraphy piece and said with a smile, “If I’m not mistaken, your target is this calligraphy piece, right?”
The chubby man’s gaze immediately focused on the calligraphy piece in Leo’s hand. He reached out and said in a low voice, “Kid, give me the calligraphy piece, and I’ll let you all go.”
“This won’t work. I paid a hefty price for this calligraphy piece. If you want it, name your price, and I’ll consider it,” Leo replied calmly, his face showing no signs of nervousness, as if he were negotiating a business deal.
The chubby man’s face turned fierce, and he shouted, “Kid, did I hear you correctly? You dare ask me for money? Since you seem eager to die, I don’t mind helping you with that!”
Seeing that the man was about to signal his men to take action, Sophia whispered to Leo, “Leo, maybe you should give him the calligraphy piece.” In her opinion, even though Leo had some fighting skills, there were too many of them. Leo couldn’t take them all on. Right now, it was best to hand over the calligraphy piece and then call the police.”
Leo looked at the chubby man and calmly stated, “Since my wife is willing to give you the calligraphy piece, I’ve thought it over, and I agree. But you have to let my wife and Dad go first.”
“No way!” Sophia exclaimed. “Leo, we’re leaving together!”
Leo gave Sophia a confident smile. “The situation might not look good later. You and Dad go first, and I’ll talk to them. I believe even robbers can be reasoned with.”