Chapter 1172
Since the night before, Xavier had been fully suited in military attire, standing vigilant and sleepless. He gripped a massive broadsword, and when the butler spoke, his voice was ice-cold. “Don’t worry. Andarov won’t fail me. That bastard Andrew is as good as dead.”
Though those were his words, doubt lingered in Xavier’s mind. After all, Andarov never took this long to finish a kill. Nonetheless, the sun was rising—he should be back any minute now.
Andarov, commander of the Blood Wolf Mercenaries, was ruthless and battle-hardened. Xavier met him while stationed overseas, and after several missions together, they became close allies.
“With the entire Blood Wolf squad under him, it doesn’t matter if Andrew has bodyguards. He won’t last five minutes,” Xavier sneered, confident.
He was already planning the next steps—hold Seth’s memorial as soon as Andarov returned, then introduce him to Luna to score even more clout. Having a famous international mercenary as a personal friend? Even someone as proud as Luna would be impressed.
Suddenly, one of the Haywoods’ top fighters came rushing in and reported, “Mr. Xavier, there’s been an incident! Mr. Markovic has returned to the Srovika Federation.”
Xavier’s brow furrowed. “What do you mean, returned? He left without notice?”
The man shook his head, visibly shaken. “Not exactly, sir… Andarov has fallen in battle. He’s dead. His body was discovered early this morning in the sewer. The last two surviving members of the Blood Wolf squad retrieved his remains and took him back to the Srovika Federation for burial.”
Xavier froze in place, clearly dumbstruck. He exclaimed in disbelief, “Andarov is dead? Did the bastard Andrew die too? Please tell me he died with him!”
The fighter hesitated, then shook his head. “We don’t know if Andrew was harmed. But there have been no reports of trouble at The Sovereign Residences. Chances are, he made it out alive.”
Xavier’s expression turned lethal. His eyes blazed with fury like a predator ready to maul its prey. “Even Andarov fell to that bastard… Have we confirmed who’s backing Andrew? Who the hell is protecting him?”
Xavier growled, his voice filled with disbelief and rage. He refused to believe Andrew took out Andarov alone, thinking there had to be someone powerful pulling strings behind the scenes.
The Haywoods’ fighter trembled and quickly reported, “Yes sir. We looked into it. Just one person—Chantelle Garcia, Governor McCormick’s secretary. Other than her, Andrew has nothing in Blumedale. Just a few nobodies from Jayrodale.”
Xavier swung the broadsword, slicing a full set of vintage furniture into splinters. The damages were worth at least a million, but the money meant nothing—his fury could not be soothed.
He barked, “Bring me my full uniform. If Andarov couldn’t do it, then I’ll go myself. I’ll end Andrew’s pathetic life—with my own hands—as a soldier of honor!”
People from all over the Haywood residence rushed in, drawn by the commotion. They stared at the wreckage and the war-drenched aura around Xavier, exchanging uneasy glances.
Just then, Roy stepped forward and spoke solemnly. “Xavier, wait.”
Xavier’s eyes burned. “Father, don’t stop me. I swore I would use Andrew’s head to honor Seth’s death—within three days. A man’s word is his bond; I will keep mine.”
Roy’s gaze was cold. “I’m not stopping you. I’m telling you to go, and make sure you come back. Our family’s name has already been dragged through the dirt by Andrew. The only way to reclaim our place among the Five Apex Families… is with his blood.”
Xavier donned his colonel’s uniform and slung the broadsword over his shoulder, and the bloodlust in his aura had reached bone-chilling levels.
One of the Haywood elders stepped forward. “Sir, shall we send a team to escort you?”
Xavier walked to the door alone and said flatly, “No need.”