DEFEATED
Malcolm's face twisted violently with rage.
"Oslo! I ordered you to take out that insolent young man! What's going on?!"
Oslo's voice crackled through the earpiece, trembling. "B-boss… something's wrong. I… I can't contact the snipers."
Malcolm froze. "What do you mean you can't contact them? You planned this meticulously! How can you lose contact with them?!"
Before Oslo could answer, Victor Kuznetsov's cold chuckle echoed across the mountain top.
"You think I'd walk into a trap without preparation?" Victor said calmly. "Old man, you underestimated me. It seems you never truly believed the rumors about my capabilities."
Malcolm's pupils shrank. "How… how did you discover this was a trap?"
Victor's lips curved slightly. "Let's just say I did my homework. Your plan was amateurish at best."
Paul stepped forward, unable to hide his satisfaction.
"Our military-grade watches can penetrate restricted networks and encrypted channels. While you were waiting for us, our backup teams were already eliminating your men hidden in the forest and down the mountain."
Malcolm staggered back a step. "Impossible! You can't take down my men so easily!"
Victor's eyes were ice-cold.
"Your men are no match for mine. And my reinforcements have already wiped out your snipers and scouts."
A strange, manic laugh escaped Malcolm's lips.
"You may have won this round… but you'll never leave this place alive!"
With murderous intent, Malcolm signaled the disguised killers. In an instant, the so-called maids pulled out hidden blades and guns.
Chaos erupted.
Gunshots cracked through the air. Tables shattered. Tea cups exploded into fragments. Victor's guards moved like shadows, blocking bullets, disarming enemies, and striking with brutal precision.
Paul twisted a man's wrist and slammed him into the ground. Another assassin was kicked off the platform, disappearing down the mountain slope with a scream.
Yet through all of it—
Victor remained seated.
His gaze never left Malcolm.
Malcolm's confidence shattered. Panic crawled into his eyes.
"I'll show you my true power!" he roared.
Before he could move, Victor stood.
"You won't be leaving today," Victor said calmly. "The police are already on their way. Every road, every exit, every signal on this mountain is blocked."
Malcolm's face contorted. "You…!"
Victor moved.
In a blur, his kick smashed into Malcolm's chest, sending him crashing across the ground. The air left Malcolm's lungs as he rolled violently.
At the same time, Victor's men subdued the remaining killers. Oslo was dragged out from behind a wall, trembling, his weapon kicked away.
Victor walked toward Malcolm slowly, his footsteps heavy with authority.
"It's over," Victor said coldly. "Your plan has failed."
Soon, the distant wail of sirens cut through the mountain air. Red and blue lights painted the darkening sky. Police vehicles surrounded the mountain path, officers storming upward with weapons drawn.
Victor's guards stood in formation, watching the captured assassins.
Malcolm struggled violently. Sweat and fear covered his face.
"This isn't over! You think you've won? My boss will kill you! And then he'll come for me!"
Victor looked at him with mild amusement.
"I'm shaking," he replied lazily. "But until then, you'll face the consequences of your stupidity."
"Everyone down! Hands behind your heads!" the officers shouted.
Malcolm's mind spiraled.
"No… no… no… I won't take the fall for this!"
As the cuffs clicked around his wrists, Malcolm suddenly pleaded.
"Please! You have to believe me! I was framed! This is all a setup!"
Victor let out a low chuckle.
"Save your performance for the judge. I'm sure he enjoys fairy tales."
The officers dragged Malcolm away. His eyes burned with hatred as they locked onto Victor.
"You haven't seen the last of me, Kuznetsov! My boss won't let me fall alone!"
Victor smiled faintly.
"I'm counting on it."
As Malcolm disappeared, Victor's gaze lingered thoughtfully. He knew Malcolm's fear wasn't about prison—it was about the masked boss hiding in the shadows, pulling the strings.
The game was only beginning.
Paul stepped beside him and whispered,
"Boss, the old man just called. He said the bride selection is next month, and you still haven't prepared a residence for your future daughter-in-law. He was furious. He also said you've been ignoring his calls."
Victor sighed lightly.
"Heh… my old man never rests."
He turned to his men.
"Let's go. The sky's already dark. You all did well today."
Then he looked at Paul.
"Tell HR tomorrow to issue everyone a bonus."
Paul smiled. "Yes, boss. I'll handle it."
With that, they descended the mountain, entered their cars, and disappeared into the night—
while fate quietly prepared Victor Kuznetsov's meeting with Anna.