Caeson's finger rested on the trigger.
The Beretta trembled slightly as he tightened his grip just a fraction more, and the shot would be fired.
But then he stopped.His eyes narrowed.
It was Melody.
Recognition flashed across his face, followed by a crooked grin.
"So… the bounty girl," Caeson said slowly. He glanced sideways. "Hey, Lukman is this girl related to you or something? Looks like I just found my payday."
Lukman clutched his wounded hand, blood seeping through his fingers. His face twisted in pain.
"That's impossible," he said, forcing the words out. "She has nothing to do with it."
Around them, Melody's family broke down—crying, pleading, frozen in terror.
Caeson ignored them.
He stepped forward, grabbed Melody by the arm, and violently yanked her away from her family. She cried out as he pressed the cold barrel of the Beretta against her head.
Her entire body shook.
"I don't get it," Caeson muttered, amused. "If she was here all this time, why put a bounty on her head?"
His finger pulled—
BANG.
At the same instant, Perun drew the small gun he had taken from Lukman. Gritting his teeth, he aimed for Caeson's hand and fired.
But Caeson was faster.
Another shot rang out.
Perun screamed as the bullet struck his hand, shattering the weapon and tearing through flesh.
One of the men in sheriff hats moved to react but Caeson raised his hand.
"Don't."
His voice was calm, deadly.He looked at Perun with interest.
"You've got a few more minutes. You're skilled… I like people like you. But your time's over."
He fired. The bullet tore through the air—
But in the very next second, Perun was gone.
A violent impact slammed into Caeson's chest.
He flew backward, crashing hard into the ground. Dust and blood sprayed as his head smashed against the floor.
Silence.Everyone stared in shock.
A man stood where Perun had been.Black hair. Red, piercing eyes. Lean, composed, terrifying.
He was Vaelor. He held Perun effortlessly in one arm."I think I'm too late," Vaelor said quietly.
Perun managed a weak smile."No… you came right on time."His eyes closed, and his body went limp.
Vaelor laid him gently aside.
One of the sheriff-hat men panicked and fired.Vaelor tilted his head.
The bullet missed.
All three of them opened fire at once.
Not a single shot touched him.
Vaelor moved like a shadow—twisting, bending, stepping between bullets. In seconds, he struck all three with brutal precision, dropping them unconscious to the ground.
Caeson groaned and forced himself up, blood dripping down his forehead. His vision blurred as he watched Vaelor standing over the fallen men.
He raised his Beretta but before he could fire, a black car screeched in from the side.
The door flew open.
Hands grabbed Caeson and dragged him inside.
The car vanished.
Vaelor took a step forward, ready to chase but Then he stopped.
"This matters more," he said, turning back.
At that moment, Robert arrived with police units in the Eagle Eye vehicle. Vaelor placed Perun into the car. Lukman was helped in as well.
The cops arrested every man wearing a sheriff hat.
Rumi and Melody went with Robert and Vaelor to the hospital.
Ethan and Rumi's parents stayed home—police surrounded the area. They were safe now.
Perun and Lukman were admitted.
Hours later, the doctor said, "You can meet them."
Vaelor, Rumi, and Melody entered the room.
Both Perun and Lukman lay on hospital beds, dressed in white.
Vaelor moved to Perun's side.
"You came," Perun said weakly. "Thought I was done for."
Vaelor smirked faintly.
"It took time to find the real location. But you're safe."
Melody stepped closer."Are you okay?"
Perun nodded. "I'm fine now."
Rumi went to Lukman's bed."You okay?"
"Yes," Lukman replied quietly.
She hesitated.
"Who were they? You talked like you knew them."
Lukman sighed.
"The man with gray hair—Caeson. He's a major figure in the Mafia Union called Three families. I was researching them."
"Why?" Rumi asked.
"It's related to my business."He turned to the side."I need sleep."
Perun also spoke."Yeah. You all should go home and rest."
Vaelor, Rumi, and Melody left the room.
Outside, exhaustion finally caught up to them.
Vaelor sat on a bench and fell asleep, Rumi and Melody beside him.
Inside the room"Hey… Mr. Lukman," Perun whispered.
No response.
"Lukman."
Finally, Lukman murmured, half-asleep, "Go to sleep."
Perun's voice hardened.
"You're the one who gave the warning. You kidnapped Melody and her family."
Lukman froze."What are you saying?"
"There's no need to hide it," Perun said calmly. "I know everything. If I want, I can tell the cops."
Silence.
Then "Yes," Lukman admitted. "I did it. But I never ordered torture. I only wanted his resignation from the governer's post. That was best for them."
Perun laughed bitterly."Oh? You think I'm stupid?"He leaned forward, pain flashing across his face.
"You say you didn't want to hurt them then what about what your men did to Rumi, Melody, and Ethan? They lost their freedom. They lived in fear. Michael was worried sick."
The door opened.Melody stood there.