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"Cedric, is that you?"
"Oh, man! I thought you were going to deal with Eyre... Ah, you idiot—damn you!"
"Take back that last word, or I'll kill you!" Cedric roared angrily.
The stranger gave a light but sarcastic laugh and said, "Okay, okay, my friend, have at it."
"Hey! You—get that filthy knife away from my throat!" Cedric snapped.
A stunning girl emerged from the shadows—her beauty almost magical.
Her silky, jet-black hair shone in the light, her crimson eyes flashing with a sharp, sly glare.
"I didn't think you'd be so smart," she spoke, her tone confident and playful. "It seems Eyre's employees are smarter than I expected. Too bad... damn it."
✵❀✵
"Where's Cedric?" Volka asked quietly.
William answered in a tense but reserved voice, "He left... and we don't know where he went."
Volka raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Cedric's been working here since I brought him from the Sheppert orphanage sixteen years ago. He never liked leaving this place—he hated making friends."
He paused for a moment, then added thoughtfully, "His dedication to his work... has always been strange."
✵❀✵
A group of heavily built men entered the room—muscular, intimidating, the kind you'd expect to see in a gym.
There were three of them. One of them slung a huge bag over his shoulder and threw it in front of Volka's desk without a word.
Suddenly!!!
The room fell silent.
Then—rolling out of the bag—was the severed head of the organization's leader.
✵❀✵
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