Meanwhile, in the urban village on the East Coast, there was an abandoned building, nearly deserted by its surroundings. Suddenly, a figure flashed by-it was a girl, appearing no older than fifteen or sixteen. She agilely entered the derelict building.
“Amy, is that you?” a faint voice called out. Hearing this, the girl shuddered. With a smile, she responded, “Mom, I’m back.”
Since the building was abandoned, there was neither running water nor electricity. The girl lit a candle, and in an instant, the room was dimly illuminated. There was a bed in the room, and on it lay a woman in her fifties, her face pale and clearly unwell.
Looking at her mother, the girl smiled and said, “Mom, look what I brought you to eat?” She then produced a roasted sweet potato and handed it over. The woman, seeing this, expressed guilt, “Amy, it’s all my fault for being a burden on you.”
“Hush, Mom, don’t say that. Just focus on getting better!” the girl replied firmly, a resolute expression crossing her face. In her eyes, curing her mother was worth any sacrifice.
The woman began to eat the sweet potato. The girl, watching, couldn’t help but swallow hard. “Amy, are you hungry?” her mother asked with concern.
With a forced smile, the girl replied, “Mom, I’ve already eaten. Please, you eat.”
Despite her words, a hint of bitterness appeared on her face. She hadn’t eaten in a day and a night, and the sweet potato was hard-won. The girl and her mother had always depended solely on each other. A few years ago, her mother had fallen seriously ill. With no other options, the girl had taken on the burden of their survival.
Desperate, she had turned to thievery. Over the years, she had honed her skills as a thief. Remembering what she had stolen today, she pulled a black token from her pocket. Her face fell-it was just a worthless piece of metal. Yet, undeterred, she planned to sell the black token, hoping it might bring in some money.
“Mom, in a few days, I’ll take you to the hospital. We will get you treated,” the girl said. “Sigh,” her mother replied, “Last time we went, the doctor said it would take a hundred thousand dollars to treat me, a sum astronomical to us.”
To the wealthy, a hundred thousand dollars was negligible. To them, however, it was a fortune. Clenching her teeth, the girl assured, “Mom, don’t worry, I will find the money!”
…
Back at the mansion, Chris Shelby wore a look of frustration. He couldn’t believe that someone had managed to steal from him, Chris Shelby of the Primus. Clearly, he had been too careless.
Seeing Chris Shelby’s dispirited appearance, Esther curiously asked, “Dear, what’s wrong with you today?”
Chris Shelby gave a wry smile, “Someone stole my stuff.”
“What?” Esther asked in surprise, “Dear, was it something important?”
“It’s okay, I’ve already had Bull look into it. I believe it will be found soon!” Chris Shelby waved his hand, not wanting to say too much.
The next day, Bull came to see Chris Shelby.
“Mr. Shelby, I’m sorry, but I’ve asked around with my contacts on the street, and nobody has taken your things.”
After receiving Chris Shelby’s call, Bull had rounded up all the thieves on the East Coast. However, after questioning them, none had taken Chris Shelby’s items. Hearing this, Chris Shelby couldn’t help but feel dejected.
Could it be that his black token would never be found, even with Bull unable to locate the thief?
Bull clenched his teeth, “Mr. Shelby, rest assured, I’ve expanded the search area. We’ll definitely find your item.”
Chris Shelby gestured dismissively, “Forget it, stand down! Let me know immediately if you have any news.”
“Yes!” Bull, not wanting to disturb Chris Shelby further, immediately turned and left.
Soon, Bull had news.
“Mr. Shelby, I’ve conducted an investigation! There is a ‘King of Thieves’ on the East Coast named Rhys Maverick. All the thieves here are under his command. I believe he might know who stole your item.”
“Rhys Maverick? What kind of ridiculous name is that!”
“Okay, got it! Give me Rhys Maverick’s address, I’ll go find him myself.”
“Yes…”
Rhys Maverick was well-known in the East Coast underworld. Once, he had been caught stealing an electric scooter and was apprehended by the patrol officers. During his time in the station, he was interviewed by a TV reporter and made a famously outrageous statement.
“It’s impossible for me to work a regular job, impossible in this lifetime. I can’t do business, so only stealing sustains my living…” This quote had made him an internet sensation.
After his release, Rhys Maverick was revered as the king among thieves. Now knowing his address, Chris Shelby immediately drove to find him.
Nowadays, Rhys Maverick rarely went out to steal. He lived in a luxurious villa surrounded by several beautiful women, revered as the King of Thieves, with countless thieves paying tribute to him each year.
“Little girl, where are you running off to?”
“Come here! Come here!”
Inside the villa, Rhys Maverick was playing a game of hide and seek with a few women.
Bang!
Suddenly, the villa’s main door was kicked open. Rhys Maverick jumped in shock, looking up to see a stranger walking in.
“Who are you?” Rhys Maverick asked, his face wary.
Chris Shelby didn’t answer Rhys Maverick’s question but instead sat down on the sofa and asked calmly, “Are you Rhys Maverick?”
“Yes, I am Rhys Maverick. What do you want with me?” Rhys Maverick snorted coldly, his expression unfriendly.
Now, Rhys Maverick was not the same as before; he was now the king of thieves on the East Coast. At his command, countless thieves would come running. Thus, he was not too afraid of Chris Shelby.
Chris Shelby chuckled lightly, “Don’t be too tense. Someone stole something of mine, so I just want you to check it out. I want to know who was bold enough to steal from me.”