{600 Power Stones bonus chapter }
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"Susie, send in Ms. Irene."
Alex turned slightly, pressing the phone on his desk. His instructions quickly reached the front desk.
Susie's reply came almost immediately:
"Understood, Mr. Cross."
Three minutes later.
Tap! Tap! Tap!
The sharp rhythm of high heels echoed down the hallway, drawing closer until it stopped at the office door.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
A voice followed.
"Respected sir, this is Irene. May I come in?"
"Come in."
Creaaak—
The office door swung open, and Irene stepped inside. She glanced at the four men present besides Alex, then moved swiftly to an appropriate spot and stood at attention.
"Sir, what orders do you have for me?" she asked respectfully.
"How are things progressing?" Alex prompted.
At once, Irene replayed the information she'd gathered in her mind, then spoke clearly:
"Since Viggo's family turned on the Vietnamese last night, our joint assault has nearly crushed them. As of now, only one street remains before we can establish a secure line with Viggo's men."
"Our next steps are already set. Viggo's crew is putting up the money, we'll provide the weapons. Together, we'll close in from the Night Demon's perimeter, absorbing smaller gangs one by one. Once the ring is sealed, the Night Demon's organization will be trapped."
No one interrupted her—not Alex, not the others.
In fact, if her plan continued without disruption, in just over twenty days Alex's goal would be achieved.
Of course, if the Night Demon himself were to suddenly die, his entire organization would collapse instantly. The gangs that had rallied around him would scatter into chaos.
Alex had refrained from interfering with Irene's strategy precisely for this moment.
Now, he added one small demand.
"Ms. Irene, before noon today, I want your forces to stir up trouble on the Night Demon's turf. Keep them so busy they won't know where to turn."
As expected, Irene didn't hesitate. With the last street about to fall, Alex's request would be easy to carry out.
"Very good," Alex said with a smile, nodding at her.
Then he continued.
"From now on, Ms. Irene, you may address me the same way Susie does—Mr. Cross. You may go. Once this business is finished, you'll receive your due reward."
"Thank you, Mr. Cross. Irene will give her utmost."
With a polite bow, she turned and left, closing the door carefully behind her.
"With the gangs outside keeping them tied up, there'll be far fewer obstacles on the way to the Night Demon's lair—the San Dian Strip Club," Caine spoke first, analyzing the situation while seated beside John Wick.
"Yeah…" Wick muttered, lifting his glass. He sipped his whiskey in silence, already bracing himself for a fight to the death.
The Night Demon was no weaker than him.
Tonight would be brutal.
Watching his old friend's grim expression, Caine sensed Wick's heavy burden. Considering he had signed a blood oath with him under immense pressure, Caine lifted his own glass and said firmly:
"John, I'll go with you. It's been too long since I've stretched my legs."
But before the words had faded, Alex cut him off.
"Caine, you can't go. The High Table's killers are surely watching this hotel. The moment you step outside, you'll hand them the chance to strike."
"Alex is right, Caine. Stay here. I can handle it," Wick finally spoke, turning slightly to pat his friend's shoulder.
Yet Alex had no intention of letting Wick face the Night Demon alone.
He rose, picked up the whiskey bottle, and poured more into Duggan's glass before refilling Wick's.
Calmly, he said:
"Caine's identity is too sensitive. Anna's still recovering from her wounds. But don't forget—our Lighthouse has another top killer. The Jackal."
"John… the Jackal will fight beside you. So… good hunting tonight."
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