Chapter 640: You Know Who I Am, Don't You?

"Everything's taken care of. Now hurry back. I want you to see it for yourself." A small, knowing smile touched Caden's lips.

"I'm on my way." He glanced around the parking lot, his eyes narrowing as he noticed a car parked at a distance, its occupants watching intently. Something felt off.

Alicia popped her head out of the car window. "What's taking so long? Are you coming or not?" Caden masked the cold gleam in his eyes, turning back with a composed look. "Let's go," he said, sliding into the driver's seat.

As their car pulled away, Corey lowered his car window to tap the ash off his cigarette. He had seen Caden's smile on the call—so carefree, so content. It stung, a bitter reminder of the chaos in Corey's own life. If he couldn't have peace, neither would Caden.

Corey took a final drag, his eyes narrowing as he turned to his subordinate. "What's the update on Gerry's elder son?"

The man answered promptly, "His surgery just finished."

"That must hurt," Corey said with a low chuckle. "Better a quick, sharp shock than drawn-out suffering. Finish him off."

The subordinate hesitated, a flicker of doubt crossing his face. "But if he dies, what if Gareth stops cooperating?"

Corey's eyes narrowed, his voice turning cold. "He still has another son and a wife, doesn't he? As long as there's someone left, he'll cling to hope. Fear has a way of cornering people, forcing them to act with desperation." Corey knew that if Gareth was truly trapped, he would have no choice but to comply.

The subordinate gave a stiff nod. "Understood. I'll handle it immediately."

Corey's gaze dropped as he lit another cigarette. The smoke curled upward as he exhaled, his expression detached, as if a life filled with hope and love was as trivial as the ashes falling from his cigarette. He was well aware of the dark path he walked; with so many lives on his conscience, a peaceful end was out of reach. Gareth's elder son didn't have to die, but Corey couldn't afford to lose. Not now. Waiting wasn't an option. Survival was paramount.

Back in Warrington, Dorian lay in a dark room, quietly nursing his wounds. The painkillers dulled the ache and sent him into a deep, dreamless sleep. When he awoke, the first thing he saw was Regina seated by his bedside, a bowl of soup in her hands.