Chapter 380: Barbara's Resolve!
Confronting Luke
"I thought carefully about our past experiences and figured out a lot of things," Barbara said, sitting up straight and speaking clearly, word by word.
"From the first time we met until now, we've seen each other seven times. Every time, you've impressed me, and being with you was genuinely enjoyable. But when I cooled down, everything felt different."
"You've been good to me, but that kindness isn't what people share as lovers. You asked me to make a choice, but you never considered what I wanted, nor did you make any commitments. Also, you have never used words like 'like' or 'love' to me."
"Perhaps what you want isn't me as a person, but my abilities, or something else entirely."
Luke smiled helplessly. "Your imagination is too rich. How can you just make stuff like that up?"
"Don't lie to me." Barbara reached out and placed her hand on Luke's chest. "Aunt Sarah told me that a person in love has an accelerated heartbeat when they're together. But your heart rate is cold."
"Goodbye, Luke. I'll remember you."
The girl leaned down, kissed Luke on the forehead, and turned to walk away without hesitation.
Her footsteps gradually faded, and Luke's eyes flickered.
"Ava, is my heart rate normal?"
"Yes, it is very steady. Your body is healthy."
Luke stood up and walked to the balcony, stating calmly,
"When does a person's heart rate accelerate?"
"Tension, pleasure, excitement, exhilaration, fear, exercise, making love, and encountering someone you like. This is the medical definition."
"Medical?"
Luke sighed lightly. At this moment, he wished he could return to being eighteen in his previous life to experience what an accelerating heartbeat felt like.
"Boss, should I call Miss Gordon back?"
"No need."
Luke pulled out his phone and sent a text message to Dior. Half an hour later, Dior and a squad of ten appeared outside the villa.
Luke glanced at the cuts on the armor and smiled.
"You engaged them?"
"Yes."
"How was it?"
Dior replied without hesitation, "The Talons were as powerful as the rumors say. The cuts on my armor were left by them. However, they paid an extremely painful price."
"That's good."
Luke nodded slightly and stepped outside. The foreplay was over; it was time for the finale. After tonight, the Court of Owls would be history. Everything they owned—whether gold, silver, jewelry, or Dionesium—would become Luke's spoils of war.
The Shadow Master
After leaving the Coast City villa, Barbara didn't go home. Instead, she went to her secret base, took out the armor suit Luke had given her, put it on, and moved through the city like a ghost under the cover of night.
She quickly arrived at the martial arts school and found Richard Dragon.
"Master, wake up quickly! I need your help."
Richard, in a state of meditation, opened his eyes. A flicker of light crossed his gaze and vanished. He looked Barbara up and down and frowned.
"Power armor?"
"You know about it, too?"
Richard shook his head slightly. "Martial artists must avoid relying on external objects. To reach the peak, you must focus on the strength of your own body. You won't get far relying on external aids."
The girl gave an embarrassed smile and whispered,
"Please don't scold me. Now is not the time for that. How about the thing I asked you about?"
Richard stared at her intently. "Even wearing that power armor, you might not be a match for a Talon. Going in there is a death trap. Are you sure you want to go?"
Barbara nodded emphatically. "Yes."
"Why?"
"I fell for someone, but that person turned out to be a jerk. I suspect his purpose in approaching me was the Court of Owls. I have to go into the underground labyrinth to see if I can find anything."
Richard stood up and began to walk.
"I warned you before not to get too involved with Luke Shaw. You two are not on the same path."
Barbara was surprised. "You knew his identity?"
"Not at first, but later I did. Luke Shaw is just the name on his documents. He has another title: Young Master Shaw."
"That name should ring a bell." Richard glanced at the girl and continued,
"There's a gang in Coast City called the Young Master Gang. Its leader is known as Young Master Shaw. I spent some time in Coast City five years ago and heard many legends about him. This Young Master Shaw never attended school a day in his life, yet strangely, by the age of ten, he possessed knowledge comparable to a top scientist. He is a genius, the kind born that way. At eleven, he broke away from his family and created the Young Master Gang. By fourteen, he had unified half of Coast City, becoming the undisputed underworld boss."
"During that time, so many people died that the mortuaries couldn't hold them all. There was a running joke then: Why do the sharks in the Pacific always eat people? Because Young Master Shaw threw too many bodies into the ocean."
Barbara clenched her fists. "Is all of that true?"
Richard said solemnly, "You only see the side he wants you to see. The darkness hidden behind that face—he would never tell you. However, this Young Master Shaw is different from other gang bosses. He dislikes drugs, or rather, loathes them. While unifying Coast City, he repeatedly used drugs as bait to collaborate with the police, destroying one rival after another. He also used various methods to connect with high-ranking police officials, giving the Young Master Gang free passage in both the legal and illegal worlds."
"Over a few years, many police captains and commissioners became friends with Young Master Shaw. They were happy to see the Young Master Gang unify the underground forces. Compared to the vicious traditional gangs, the Young Master Gang was an anomaly. They didn't oppress the weak or force innocent people into prostitution. Instead, they established rules, adhered to them, and consolidated all gray industries (casinos, nightclubs, discos, strip bars, etc.) under unified management. This initiative not only lowered the crime rate in Coast City but also created a large-scale industrial chain. Even the governor at the time had to publicly support him."
At this point, he shook his head slightly, seemingly lamenting something.
"I won't interfere in your relationship, but as your master, I must tell you this: Being with him is not a good thing. Break it off if you can."
Barbara lowered her head. Her master's words were a massive emotional shock. She never imagined that the boy who looked somewhat innocent had such a terrifying past.
Young Master Shaw!
The Young Master Gang!
A ruthless killer, a deeply calculating mind, and brutal methods—
No wonder her father always rejected him. That was the root of it.
"Do you still want to go now?"
The girl opened her mouth, looking conflicted. Seeing this, Richard shook his head helplessly and said softly,
"Come with me. I'll take you to the entrance."
The two left the martial arts school one after the other, running east along the street. They stopped when they reached a garbage transfer station in the suburbs.
"The Court of Owls members disappeared here. The entrance is inside the warehouse. I'll ask you one last time: Do you really want to go in?"
"Yes, I have to find out."
"Very well. I hope you return safely."
Richard was not one to dither. Seeing Barbara's determined expression, he said no more and turned to leave.
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