Mike Johnson arrived with a team, a rare sight for what could have been a minor situation. Normally, any officer could handle such a matter. But upon hearing the report that someone had stolen the keys to the Alfredson family villa-a matter of great importance-he felt compelled to step in personally.
As soon as Mike arrived at the Alfredson family villa, Finnian Baker, grinning from ear to ear, rushed forward to greet him. “Captain Johnson! Captain Johnson, you’re finally here!” he exclaimed enthusiastically, extending a hand for a handshake.
Mike, however, ignored him entirely. After all, he had no idea who Finnian Baker was.
Finnian awkwardly retracted his hand, but his excitement remained unabated. “Captain Johnson, there’s a guy here who stole the keys to the Alfredson family villa! He even had the audacity to claim that the villa was gifted to him by the Alfredson family! This is simply outrageous!” he declared, his voice full of indignation.
Mike frowned. “Who has the guts to do something like that? Stealing the keys to the Alfredson family villa?” he asked.
Finnian pointed at a man sitting calmly on a bench nearby. “It’s him, Captain Johnson! That guy! Look at him-so arrogant, sitting there like he owns the place. You must arrest him immediately and interrogate him thoroughly!” he demanded. “And that’s not all-his accomplice is John Baker over there! They worked together to steal the keys. You should arrest both of them and hand them over to the Alfredson family for punishment!”
Finnian, brimming with self-righteousness, turned to the man on the bench. “Young man, how dare you sit there so smugly in front of Captain Johnson? Your lies have been exposed by his keen insight! Get up and confess, or things will only get worse for you!” He then turned to John and added, “John, even though you’re my brother, I cannot forgive you for this despicable act. You need to be locked up and reformed!”
Hearing this, May quickly interjected, “Captain Johnson, Finnian! This has nothing to do with me or my daughter! I had no idea they would do something like this. Finnian, please explain that to Captain Johnson. Don’t drag us into this mess.”
May’s reaction was a textbook example of self-preservation-when disaster struck, she distanced herself from her husband and the situation entirely.
Finnian nodded reassuringly. “Don’t worry, May. You and your daughter won’t be implicated. John, once you’re in custody, I’ll take good care of your wife and child.”
John’s expression darkened. He knew exactly what Finnian’s intentions were. Finnian had been making advances toward May for a while now, and John had turned a blind eye to it, pretending not to notice.
Just as John clenched his fists, ready to confront Finnian, Finnian turned to Mike and said, “Captain Johnson, you can arrest them now. These are the thieves!”
Smack! Without warning, Mike Johnson delivered a resounding slap across Finnian’s face.
Finnian was utterly stunned. His mind reeled as he tried to comprehend what had just happened.
“Captain Johnson, you-”
Smack! Another slap landed. “This one’s for trying to tell me how to do my job!”
Smack! “This one’s for thinking you can order me around!”
Smack! “This one’s for using me to show off!”
Smack! “This one’s for being blind to the truth!”
Smack! “And this one’s for acting like a rabid dog, attacking people at random!”
With five sharp slaps, Mike left Finnian completely dazed. His head buzzed, and his vision blurred. Everyone present was dumbfounded. They had assumed Finnian and Captain Johnson were close. Who would have thought Finnian would end up being humiliated like this?
But Mike wasn’t done. He kicked Finnian hard in the chest, sending him sprawling to the ground in a pitiful heap.
After dealing with Finnian, Mike straightened his posture and approached Kayden, who was seated calmly nearby. With a solemn expression, Mike saluted Kayden and said, “Mr. Scott, my deepest apologies! These fools lack discipline and have been barking up the wrong tree.”
Mike’s attitude toward Kayden had shifted significantly. Beyond seeking Kayden’s help for his personal issues, he now held a deep respect for him. After all, Kayden had single-handedly subdued the Alfredson family, stolen their bride, and left Zack Alfredson powerless to retaliate. Such a man commanded admiration.
Everyone stared in shock. Captain Johnson, typically aloof and commanding, was saluting this man with such reverence. Who was he? How could he wield such influence over someone like Captain Johnson? Could the villa truly belong to him?
While the crowd speculated, John finally saw things clearly. This man, Kayden, wasn’t just anyone. He was the son of Ambrose Scott-the very man John had once followed with unwavering loyalty. A tiger father begets no dog son. It made sense now. Kayden was no ordinary man; he moved in circles they could never fathom.
John couldn’t help but laugh at himself. He had once considered asking his daughter to help Kayden find work. In hindsight, the mere thought was absurd.
“Mr. Scott, how would you like me to handle this barking dog?” Mike asked, his gaze shifting to Finnian.
Kayden’s piercing eyes locked onto Finnian, who felt as though lasers were scorching his skin. “Captain Johnson,” Kayden said calmly, “tell him-was this villa truly gifted to me by the Alfredson family?”
Mike nodded firmly. “Yes, this villa was personally gifted to you by Mr. Alfredson.”
The crowd erupted in murmurs. Coming from Mike Johnson, a man whose word carried immense weight, this statement was irrefutable.
Kayden turned to Finnian, his tone indifferent yet commanding. “Kneel. As you promised earlier, confess your true intentions toward John and his wife May in front of everyone. Do that, and I might spare you from being taken to the station.”
Finnian hesitated briefly, but his fear won out. With a loud thud, he dropped to his knees.
Slap! He struck his own face. “I’m not a man! I’m not a man! I’m not a man!” he cried, his voice trembling. “I wanted to sleep with John’s wife, May. That’s why I arranged for him to sit at Mrs. Rayne’s table. I manipulated Mrs. Rayne and the others to target John and May, hoping their words would provoke them into divorcing. Only if John divorced could I have a chance with May.”
“This… this was all my fault! I couldn’t resist my desire for May!”