Howl Gallatin nodded in satisfaction and said, “You, go outside and check if Chris has arrived.”
“Yes!”
The subordinate acknowledged the command, turned, and left the room.
Once the subordinate was gone, the office grew eerily quiet, leaving only Howl Gallatin and Candace.
Howl Gallatin sized up Candace with a scrutinizing gaze, a smirk tugging at his lips. “I have to admit, I never expected Chris to have such a beautiful confidante. Honestly, I’m a little jealous. The women around him are all stunning, one more than the last. Unfortunately, Chris has stood in the way of the Gallatin family, and for that, he’s destined to die!”
Candace frowned, her tone cold. “Howl Gallatin, what do you think you’re doing? Let me warn you: Chris is not someone the Gallatin family can afford to provoke. The Frost family was far stronger than yours, and look where they ended up. You should let me go now, or your Gallatin family will be the next Frost family.”
“Hahaha!”
Howl Gallatin burst into laughter. “Oh really? I’d like to see how the Gallatin family becomes the next Frost family…”
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Suddenly, a series of loud noises erupted from outside.
Howl Gallatin’s face twisted in alarm as he instinctively pulled Candace in front of him, pressing the barrel of his firearm against her head.
“What’s going on out there?!” he roared.
But silence was the only response. The dozen men he had stationed outside, hardened criminals all, had gone completely quiet.
At that moment, Howl Gallatin realized something was terribly wrong.
Candace’s lips curled into a faint smile. She knew Chris would never leave her behind.
“What are you smiling at, you wretched woman?” Howl Gallatin snapped, his voice tinged with fury. “Do you think I won’t shoot you?”
Candace chuckled softly. “Shoot me? You should be more worried about how the Gallatin family will save itself.”
“You-” Howl Gallatin’s face contorted with rage. “Even if the Gallatin family goes down, I’ll make sure you die first!”
At this point, Howl Gallatin was on the brink of madness. He had already resolved to drag Chris down with him, no matter the cost.
“Howl Gallatin!” he bellowed. “I know you’re here, Chris! Your little confidante is in my hands! If you make one wrong move, I’ll kill her!”
Tap. Tap. Tap.
Footsteps echoed down the corridor, growing louder with each passing second.
Then, a figure appeared in the doorway.
Howl Gallatin’s teeth clenched as he snarled, “Chris!”
Chris’s eyes swept over Candace, confirming she was unharmed. A wave of relief washed over him.
Candace’s heart warmed at the sight of Chris coming to rescue her.
“Candace, are you okay?” Chris asked, his voice steady.
Candace nodded. “I’m fine.”
Howl Gallatin’s face twisted into a grotesque grin. “Chris, so you’ve finally come!”
Chris turned his cold gaze toward Howl Gallatin. “I underestimated the Gallatin family. I didn’t think you’d have the guts to provoke me. Let her go, and I’ll make it quick.”
“Hahaha!” Howl Gallatin laughed maniacally. “Chris, I know how powerful you are, and I know I’m no match for you. But killing me won’t be so easy. I’ve rigged myself with explosives. One press of a button, and we all go up in flames. Not just us-your entire Panda Networks building will be reduced to rubble!”
“You?” Chris sneered, his eyes filled with disdain. “You’re not even qualified to take me with you.”
Whoosh!
Chris didn’t waste another second. He launched himself toward Howl Gallatin like a bolt of lightning.
Startled, Howl Gallatin reflexively pulled the trigger.
Bang!
The gunshot cracked through the air, but Chris moved with inhuman speed, effortlessly dodging the bullet.
“Howl Gallatin,” Chris said, his voice chilling, “I had no intention of dealing with the Gallatin family, but since you’ve chosen death, don’t blame me for what happens next.”
“Chris!” Howl Gallatin screamed. “I’ll take you down with me!”
He reached for the detonator strapped to his chest.
“Hahaha! Chris, let’s die together…”
Bang!
Before Howl Gallatin could finish his sentence, his laughter froze. Blood began to seep from the center of his forehead.
A single bullet had pierced his skull. His expression was one of utter disbelief as he crumpled to the ground.
The detonator fell from his lifeless hand, but it was too late for him to press it.
Chris lowered his weapon, casually blowing the smoke from its barrel. “Playing with guns? You’re still too green.”
Clatter!
At that moment, Tiger stormed in, leading a squad of Death Guards.
Chris glanced at him and said, “Disarm all the explosives in the building. And as for the Gallatin family-they dared to cause trouble at my company. From this day forward, there’s no need for the Gallatin family to exist in Middleton.”
Tiger nodded. “Understood, Master!”
The bombs were swiftly dismantled.
That very night, Tiger led the Death Guards in a ruthless purge of the Gallatin family. By dawn, the once-powerful family had been completely annihilated, their name erased from Middleton.
The destruction of the Gallatin family sent shockwaves throughout the city.
Everyone now understood that crossing Chris meant certain doom. The major families of Middleton quietly warned their members: anyone who dared to offend Chris would be immediately expelled from the family.
With the situation in Middleton resolved, Chris and Esther prepared to return to the East Coast. Their journey was prompted by a letter from the Jefferson family.
Before departing, Chris instructed the Emberwood Guards to ensure Candace’s safety.
An hour later, Chris and Esther boarded a plane, heading back to the East Coast.
It had been a long time since Chris last set foot there.
Upon arriving, he saw Juliette, who had undergone a remarkable transformation.
The once-spoiled princess was now a hardened businesswoman.
When she saw Chris and Esther, Juliette couldn’t help but grumble. “You two are finally back! You’ve been off gallivanting in Middleton, leaving me to manage the Chester Group all by myself. I’m exhausted!”
Esther chuckled. “Sorry, Juliette. We owe you one for all your hard work.”
Reunited after so long, Esther and Juliette dove into an endless conversation, catching up eagerly.
Chris, uninterested in interrupting them, wandered outside alone.
In the yard, he spotted Harold training.
Harold, too, had changed significantly.
Once a simple farmer in Jefferson Village, Harold was now the head of security for the Chester Group and had even surpassed the Transcendence realm in his cultivation.
When Harold saw Chris, his face lit up with a smile. “Mr. Shelby, you’re finally back.”
Harold was deeply grateful to Chris. Without him, Harold would still be toiling in the fields of Jefferson Village.