Wee-woo, wee-woo, wee-woo~~
Ten people dead in one go. Even though they were all illegal immigrants, ten bodies were still too many!
Almost the entire precinct where Tony worked was mobilized.
Police car after police car arrived at the dilapidated house where the Colombians were.
Police tape was strung up.
More than twenty officers, including Tony, looked tense and had massive headaches.
Predictably, with such a huge commotion, residents of the entire street were roused from their homes, chattering away and watching the spectacle with varying emotions.
Meanwhile.
News of this massacre spread rapidly in all directions.
In a place like the ghetto, other news might travel slowly, but drama? Drama traveled at the speed of light.
Inside the dilapidated house.
"Damn!" Tony's black partner looked around at the carnage in the living room and couldn't help but exclaim. "The caller said they didn't see the shooter?"
Tony nodded grimly, pointing towards the back door. "Based on the direction the victims fell, the bullets came from the back."
"Combine that with the victims in the backyard..."
"Nine out of ten, the shooter was a sniper. Probably a professional!"
"Jesus!" The partner couldn't believe it. "Who the hell did these illegals piss off?"
Saying this.
The partner walked toward the back door, and Tony followed.
The two stepped out of the house, stood at the top of the stairs, and silently looked toward the buildings opposite.
"What do you think? Did the sniper shoot from that house across the way?" the partner asked.
Tony wasn't sure. "Hard to say, but I don't think so. All the victims were killed with a single shot. This sniper is obviously very skilled..."
"Although I don't know much about sniping, I know that house across the way isn't a good choice. Entering and exiting carries a risk of being seen."
"Snipers care a lot about concealment."
"I think they were probably much further away."
Hearing this, the partner rubbed his forehead. "If that's true, we're in for some trouble."
Tony gave a bitter smile. "The FBI will handle it. Won't be our headache."
They exchanged a few more words and walked toward the backyard to busy themselves with whatever needed doing. In truth, they didn't care much about the deaths of these guys.
After all, they were illegal immigrants, and this place was full of drugs.
Dead was dead.
Not a big deal.
These people only caused trouble for the neighborhood anyway.
---
Dex Fruit Stand.
Svetlana was packing up, getting ready to close and go home to sleep.
Just then.
Five Russian "artisans" ran nervously into the fruit stand. Thump, thump, thump.
"Svetlana, what's going on?" A blonde woman immediately asked in a sneaky whisper as soon as she saw Svetlana.
Svetlana didn't understand. "What's going on with what?"
Hearing this, the blonde woman got anxious, her eyes widening. "You haven't heard? The two guys you asked us to investigate died a little while ago!"
"Besides those two!! The other eight people in that house died too!"
"Ten people dead in total! Only three escaped!"
Hearing this.
Svetlana was severely shocked. Then, she subconsciously asked, "Did the police catch the killer?"
"No," the blonde woman shook her head, asking again, "What the hell is going on? Don't tell me it's a coincidence. We just found those two for you, and tonight they end up dead! Who asked you to investigate them?"
Svetlana had a strong constitution. She calmed down quickly. Facing this question, she decisively grinned. "Just a coincidence. No one asked me to investigate."
The blonde woman and her group weren't buying that bullshit.
"Svetlana, is it that Ding..." the blonde woman started to say subconsciously.
Svetlana didn't let her finish. She immediately growled in a low voice, "Shut up!!"
The blonde woman jumped, then realized who the killer was. It was hard to accept. "Jesus, that guy is that ruthless?"
Svetlana stopped smiling. Her face turned dark, and she spoke with extreme seriousness and gravity. "Shut up!! You know nothing! You heard nothing!! Keep your mouths shut!! Do you understand?"
Although the blonde woman's group were just handjob artists, they weren't stupid.
Dexter took out ten people so cleanly in one go!
Without a doubt, this wasn't Dexter's first rodeo...
If they pissed off Dexter... Heh, they knew exactly what the consequences would be.
"Understood," the group nodded in unison.
Seeing this, Svetlana smiled again. "Good. Go home and sleep. It's late, don't wander around outside."
None of them moved.
"Svetlana, you don't make much money here anyway. Maybe just quit. With a boss like that, I'm afraid you'll make money but won't be alive to spend it," the blonde woman said worriedly.
Svetlana flashed a brilliant smile. "Don't worry, I'm safe. And starting now, I'm going to make big money."
The group: "?????"
"Svetlana, don't do anything crazy..." The blonde woman immediately understood what "big money" meant and got anxious.
"Relax, I won't. Enough, that's the end of this topic. What you know, keep it buried in your gut. Otherwise, you know the consequences," Svetlana said.
The blonde woman's group lingered for a moment longer, then left together.
Svetlana continued packing up. Finished, she locked the door, lit a cigarette, and walked toward her rented apartment with a smile.
'Ten people.'
'Truly ruthless.'
'Adding these ten, how many in total?'
'At least twenty, right?'
Svetlana thought as she walked, getting more excited the more she thought about it.
---
Crime Scene.
Bodies were taken away one by one.
Afterward, Tony and the others sealed the house and drove off.
The onlookers gradually dispersed, chattering endlessly as they went home.
The death of ten illegal Colombian immigrants captured attention for an hour or so, gradually becoming fodder for conversation among a bunch of shameless people.
That was all.
Nothing major.
After all, this is America, where shootings happen almost daily. Someone getting shot is too normal.
---
2113 North Wallace.
Kevin and Veronica finished their "exercise," rested for a few minutes, and started discussing the wedding.
"I think Dexter has a point. An outdoor wedding sounds pretty good, don't you think?" Veronica asked.
Kevin thought for a moment and said with an honest face, "What if it rains that day?"
That was the biggest uncertainty of an outdoor wedding.
Veronica picked up her phone and checked online. "Shouldn't rain."
"But what if it does?" Kevin asked again.
Veronica's brow twitched. "What do you mean? You want an indoor wedding?"
"I'm a man, I'm fine with whatever. As long as you're happy," Kevin smiled.
Veronica thought about it. "Only twenty days left. We have to decide quickly... I say we find a high-end hotel with a garden."
"That way, if it doesn't rain, we do it outside. If it rains, we move inside."
"Great idea," Kevin gave a thumbs up. "Hotels like that must cost a lot of money."
"Don't know. Shouldn't be too much. After all, we're just renting it for half a day, not the whole hotel," Veronica said uncertainly.
"Okay. As long as you're happy, anything works. You pick the hotel, I have to go get a suit tailored," Kevin said expectantly.
Hearing this, Veronica looked forward to seeing Kevin in a suit. "Spend a little more, don't skimp. You have to be happy at this wedding too."
"You got it."
"By the way, best man and maid of honor... how about Dexter and his girlfriend?" Veronica suggested.
Hearing this, Kevin turned to look at Veronica for two seconds. "Are you sure?"
Veronica understood Kevin's meaning and nodded decisively. "I don't want to have to look at Fiona's sour face on my wedding day."
Kevin grinned, flashing his teeth. "Okay."
They talked about the wedding for a long time. Eventually, they drifted off to sleep.
---
A New Day. The sky turned pale with dawn.
The alarm rang. Bianca opened her eyes groggily, rubbed her face hard, and got up.
Dexter was woken up too and got up with her.
Seeing this, Bianca immediately stopped him. "You promised you wouldn't make me late today."
Dexter smiled. "I'll drive you to work."
Bianca breathed a sigh of relief. "Okay."
After washing up.
They went downstairs for a quick breakfast. Then Dexter drove Bianca to the hospital before returning to the hotel for a nap.
Sleeping until around 9:00 AM, Dexter got up again and took Dumb Nine out for a walk.
Everything was normal.
Everyone lived their lives as usual—working if they worked, drifting if they drifted.
Dexter strolled over to Dex Fruit Stand. Suddenly remembering he hadn't paid the money promised yesterday, he apologetically entered the shop to pay.
Svetlana didn't stand on ceremony and accepted the money directly. "Boss, busy night last night."
Dexter smiled faintly. "It was okay. Not too busy."
"I heard the FBI is coming today," Svetlana said calmly.
Dexter actually knew Svetlana had suspected him for a long time. He didn't mind, nodding with a smile. "The FBI is just okay. Not that formidable."
Hearing this, Svetlana admired Dexter even more. She thought for a moment. "Boss, if you need any help in the future, just ask."
Hearing this, Dexter fell silent for a moment.
Actually, he did have something he needed Svetlana's help with.
"Since you mentioned it, get me a bottle of strong sedative and a syringe," Dexter said, pulling out more money and handing over a thousand-something dollars to Svetlana. "Know how to handle it?"
Svetlana nodded immediately. "Without a trace."
Look at that.
Things were getting interesting.
Seemed like he had a new partner in crime.
"I'm going. Keep making money," Dexter didn't waste words. Dropping that line, he left with Dumb Nine.
After walking for a while, he returned to the restaurant entrance.
Thinking briefly, Dexter took out his phone and sent a text to Karen.
---
School.
[Any new progress?]
Seeing this text, Karen, who was already a bit distressed, frowned immediately.
Lip came to school yesterday but hadn't pestered her at all.
This wasn't good news for her money-making plan.
And today, up until now, Lip still hadn't come to find her...
This wouldn't do.
Karen thought for a few seconds and replied, [None for now. I'm working on it.]
[Good,] Dexter replied.
Karen put away her phone and started thinking. After a long while, she decided she couldn't just wait. She had to try and provoke Lip.
How to provoke him?
Find another guy—preferably a trashy black guy—and parade him in front of Lip casually.
Karen thought it should work.
Lip was arrogant, always thinking he was better than everyone else. If he saw her with a trashy guy like that... heh, he should react somehow.
Decision made, Karen started selecting a suitable candidate in her mind.
The bell rang.
Karen had a candidate. She immediately got up and walked out quickly.
A few minutes later, Karen walked up to a slightly skinny, actually quite idiotic black student. "Hey, Charlie. Free for a walk?"
Karen was a beauty—blonde, fair skin, pretty face.
So.
Hearing this, Charlie instantly got excited. His black friends beside him immediately started hooting and hollering.
"Sure," Charlie said, revealing a mouthful of teeth and nodding with a smile.
Karen suppressed her disgust, kept smiling, and walked side-by-side with Charlie.
After only a few steps.
Charlie's nature revealed itself. He quietly reached out and touched Karen's butt.
Karen noticed but didn't stop him.
Charlie got even more excited and bolder. He slid his arm around Karen's waist. Seeing Karen still didn't resist, he immediately adopted a "I'm the shit" swagger.
Karen endured it, looking for Lip as she walked.
After looking for a while.
She saw him.
Karen immediately quickened her pace.
Moments later.
Lip saw Karen and Charlie. Instantly, his expression twisted, veins on his forehead pulsed, and clear anger appeared in his eyes.
Karen saw it clearly. Seeing the trick worked so well, she was overjoyed internally. Of course, she didn't show it on her face. Instead, she turned her head slightly, talking to Charlie as they walked past, not even looking at Lip.
Break time was short. The bell rang for class.
"See you at lunch. I'll give you a surprise," Karen said to Charlie in a seductive tone.
Hearing this, Charlie couldn't handle it. He had a natural reaction.
Karen flicked him lightly, turned, and left.
In the blink of an eye, it was noon.
Karen repeated her trick, taking Charlie and deliberately letting Lip see them walk toward a corner of the bleachers.
That corner was secluded. Everyone knew what happened there.
Charlie knew too. So, along the way, he was as excited as a monkey.
Karen watched him, genuinely feeling this black monkey was too fucking stupid. Unfortunately, for the sake of making more money, she had to endure it.
In the distance.
Watching Karen and that stupid, trashy black guy Charlie walk toward that corner, Lip slowly clenched his fists, eyes unblinking.
One second, five seconds, ten seconds.
Thinking of the baby in Karen's belly, Lip couldn't take it anymore. He stomped his feet and strode after them.
In a flash.
Lip rushed into the corner.
Karen was just about to suppress her nausea and service Charlie.
Seeing this scene.
Lip was furious. Eyes spitting fire, he roared at Charlie, "Get lost!!"
Charlie was a thug, and an idiot. Could he take that?
Especially when he was about to enjoy a blowjob, and some interrupting asshole shows up...
Whoosh. Charlie stood up, looking fierce. "Fuck off! You wanna die?"
Lip was in a rage. Step by step, he got right in Charlie's face, not backing down an inch. "Try me!"
Idiot or not, Charlie wasn't completely brain-dead. More importantly, he wasn't that tough deep down. Seeing Lip like this, he was genuinely a bit scared.
But he couldn't lose face.
Charlie forced himself to hold his ground and sneered. "Heh. Okay. Good. You just wait!"
Dropping that threat, Charlie turned and left to find his brothers for backup.
"Coward!" Lip mocked mercilessly. Then, without even looking at Charlie, he turned to Karen. He didn't speak, just stared at her with wide eyes.
Karen shifted her body, sat on the bench, and looked up at Lip with a straight face.
After staring for a few seconds and seeing Lip silent, Karen thought for a moment and spoke first, asking coldly, "What do you want?"
"Heh. Finally willing to talk to me, huh?" Lip sneered.
"You know in your heart why I wasn't talking to you," Karen immediately gaslighted him. Her PUA skills were practiced and proficient.
Lip was instantly pissed off, the nerve on his forehead twitching. "I just said one fucking sentence, and you treat me like this?"
"Heh," Karen sneered back, standing up as if to leave.
Seeing this, Lip immediately took two quick steps and grabbed Karen's arm. "Don't go. Let's clear this up."
This was the result Karen wanted. Not only did she not struggle, but she also turned slightly to face Lip. "Clear up what? I told you, this baby is mine. It has nothing to do with you."
"How does it have nothing to do with me?" Lip cared most about the baby. He got anxious immediately.
Karen remained calm, touching her belly as if the baby was still there. "Let go, Lip. It's pointless for you to pester me like this."
"Impossible. I will take responsibility for my child!" Lip said decisively.
Family...
Lip valued it most!
Karen didn't speak. She stared at Lip silently without blinking.
One second, two seconds, three seconds.
Karen decided to risk a move. Suddenly, she kissed him.
Three months...
From a certain perspective, Lip and Fiona were exactly the same.
Three months was way too long.
Now, predictablly, he ignited instantly.
Lip kissed back.
Immediately.
They went to war.
"Fuck you!" Lip cried out.
A few minutes later, the battle ended.
"Last time. Bye-bye, Lip," Karen quickly tidied herself up, dropped that line, and walked away fast.
"!!!!" Drought meets rain, just got a sip, and now the water's gone? Lip's brain buzzed. Frantic, he chased after her.
In a flash.
They walked out of the secluded corner.
Karen spotted Charlie and his group of friends walking aggressively toward them. She smiled faintly and didn't stop.
Lip also saw Charlie and his crew. He froze, hesitated for a moment, then gritted his teeth and continued chasing Karen.
Soon.
Charlie and his crew blocked Lip.
Karen looked back at Lip, shook her head gently, then withdrew her gaze and walked toward the parking lot.
Lip still wanted to chase.
Charlie and his crew didn't allow it.
"Fuck off!" Lip roared impolitely.
Hearing this, Charlie and his crew didn't waste time. They showed their true colors and swarmed him.
In less than two minutes.
Lip was beaten to the ground, unable to get up.
Karen watched from a distance, smiling happily. She got into her car, left, and proceeded to the next step of her plan.
The commotion in the bleachers attracted a teacher.
Mr. Hearst ran over.
"Don't get cocky with us again, or we'll beat you every time we see you!" Charlie threatened before preparing to retreat as they saw the teacher.
Lip lay on the ground, hurting all over, unable to get up.
But even so...
"Fuck you! Nigger!" Lip roared.
Thump.
That word...
Charlie and his crew, who were about to retreat, instantly exploded.
A second later.
Let the teacher come!
Doesn't matter.
Dignity must be defended!
Charlie and his crew changed their minds. Roaring, they all raised their feet and stomped viciously on Lip.
Lip couldn't fight back. He curled up on the ground, desperately protecting his head.
Finally, Mr. Hearst and others arrived, separating Charlie's crew from Lip.
Charlie and his crew weren't afraid. They immediately gave the reason for beating Lip. "He called us niggers!"
Hearing this.
Mr. Hearst and the others froze.
Racist slurs like "nigger" were not to be used lightly.
Charlie and his crew had a seemingly legitimate reason for the beating.
Mr. Hearst was in a bind. He couldn't do much. Because he genuinely valued Lip and truly hoped Lip could escape this hellhole and have a good life, he had to speak nicely to Charlie's crew to diffuse the situation.
After a lot of back and forth.
Charlie and his crew left.
Mr. Hearst helped Lip up. Frustrated and heartbroken, he asked, "Why? Why are you determined to ruin your future?"
Lip smiled, maintaining that punchable attitude. "None of your business. I do what I want!"
In a sense.
Mr. Hearst was indeed the first benefactor in Lip's life.
Even though Lip acted stupidly time and time again, being punchable and saying the most idiotic things, Mr. Hearst never got angry and never gave up.
This time was the same.
Mr. Hearst ignored Lip's words and persisted in persuading him.
He persuaded for a long while.
Lip wiped the blood off his face and limped away.
Mr. Hearst watched him go, sighing, feeling utterly helpless.
---
Clothing Store.
In a hidden corner of the warehouse.
Fiona was engaging in a fierce battle with the handsome manager.
The battle was intense.
A long time later.
Battle over.
The manager, who just wanted to play, said nothing. He simply smiled and walked away dashingly.
Fiona rested for a moment, then moved. She went out the back door, took out her cigarettes, leaned against the wall, lit one, and smoked silently.
As she smoked, Fiona sniffled, her eyes turning red.
She had lost control.
Deep down, Fiona knew.
But...
She couldn't stop.
Perhaps, she didn't want to stop.
Fiona didn't know what was wrong with her, why she was like this.
But...
Like this, she felt relaxed. Peaceful.
What would happen later... Fiona wasn't willing to think about it for now.