The black streak of the car moved silently through the city road. Ethan gripped the steering wheel tightly, keeping his eyes fixed on the road without looking away even for a second. Inside the car, there was only silence.
Richard sat in the passenger seat; his hands clenched uncomfortably. His face was a mixture of guilt and fear. After a while, unable to hold back any longer, he spoke.
"Ethan…"
Ethan did not even turn to look at him. His attention remained fully on the road.
"..."
His cold demeanor seemed to suppress any attempt at conversation. Richard fell silent and lowered his head. After a few seconds, he spoke again in a low voice.
"It's all because of me… I'm sorry…"
Ethan tightened his grip on the steering wheel once, then replied.
"It has nothing to do with you. They're targeting me. I'm just here to drop you off at the house I arranged. The rent has already been paid. From next month onwards, handle the payments yourself by working. If you need anything, you can call me."
The car continued moving along the main road. City lights flashed past the windows in streaks. Richard remained silent for a while, then asked cautiously.
"Those people we saw at the gambling place that day… were they all from Devil Iris? Wasn't it originally owned by Eagle Wings? What exactly happened?"
Ethan's brows furrowed slightly.
"Don't ask about that. It's better if you don't know."
Richard let out a deep sigh.
"I've caused you trouble…"
Ethan said nothing more and continued focusing on driving. After some time, they arrived at Richard's destination. It was a private single-story house located in a suburban area along a roadside. The surroundings were quiet and isolated.
Ethan pulled out the house key from the dashboard and threw it toward Richard. Richard opened the door and was about to get out, but he paused before stepping out completely.
"Ethan…"
Ethan turned slightly toward him. Richard's eyes were filled with worry and regret.
"I… I'll fix things this time for sure. If there's anything I can do…"
Ethan cut him off.
"You've arrived. Get out to take a look at house."
His voice was cold, but not disrespectful. Richard lowered his head and stepped out of the car. Ethan then got out as well. Richard held the house key and was about to enter, but he turned back and invited Ethan inside.
"Ethan, do you want to come in and take a look?"
Ethan opened the car door again, glanced back, and waved his hand slightly.
"No need. I've already been here when I arranged the rental. Just take care of yourself. There's money prepared for you in the drawer beside the bed in the bedroom. From next month, you're on your own. Oh… and don't even think about going near the Ping Casino. If it happens again, I won't come next time. Solve your own problems."
With that, he got back into the car and drove away. Richard stood there, watching until Ethan's car disappeared from sight before finally entering the house.
...…
Ethan drove forward alone, one hand on the steering wheel, eyes fixed ahead. Under the dim light inside the car, his face remained cold and expressionless. He glanced once at the file placed on the dashboard.
"Harbor 17…"
He muttered silently. The documents inside appeared to be nothing more than ordinary cargo information machines, export papers, clearance documents. Everything looked clean on the surface. But deep inside, he felt something was off. He tightened his grip on the steering wheel.
"Devil Iris…"
A cold glint passed through his eyes.
"What are you trying to play at…?"
...…
Ethan's car eventually entered the large estate where Eagle Wings resided. It was located in a quiet suburban area on the outskirts of the city. Lights illuminated the mansion interior brightly. Ethan parked the car and got out. As soon as he stepped out, a guard rushed over and opened the door for him.
"Kakamora… welcome, Boss."
Ethan did not look at him and simply waved him off before walking toward the main mansion. After climbing the steps, he arrived at the leader's office. The guard beside the door opened it for him. Inside, a man was sitting in the room. This was Mr. Roger, the leader of Eagle Wings.
Mr. Roger was seated at a round table with three other men, smoking a cigar while listening to their conversation. Ethan walked over to the sofa near the window, sat down, opened a bottle of water, and drank it. Then he leaned back, resting his body while staring out of the window.
After a while, Mr. Roger finished speaking with the guests and stood up. The others were escorted out by guards. Mr. Roger walked over, sat on a sofa beside Ethan, extinguished his cigar in the ashtray, and looked at him.
"What's wrong, Ethan?"
Ethan did not answer immediately. After a moment of silence, he said,
"Boss… I need three men."
Mr. Roger nodded and looked at him.
"Pick whoever you want. Is it about the port issue?"
Ethan tilted his head slightly and nodded.
"Yes… I have to handle a problem caused by my old man. I think it's related to Gaing, or maybe unpaid debts. Or both. They even rejected my attempt to settle it and instead offered me a job, so there must be something behind it."
Mr. Roger nodded slowly, stroking his chin.
"I don't think it's that simple. Someone like them doesn't give up easily. If I were you, I wouldn't take it lightly. Take Tim's group with you. They're reliable. Fast and efficient. Even if you call it your father's issue, I feel like this is a trap aimed at us. Be careful."
"They asked me to move a container from Harbor 17."
Mr. Roger smiled faintly.
"I trust your intuition. But sometimes, you have to walk into traps knowing they are traps."
Ethan asked,
"So, I should do it?"
"Do it. But observe carefully. This isn't just your issue, it concerns our entire organization one way or another."
"I understand. I came here just to inform you."
Ethan stood up.
"I'm leaving."
Mr. Roger nodded.
"Be careful. This is not a simple delivery job. Keep your eyes open."
Ethan walked toward the door, paused briefly, and said one last sentence.
"I'm not an ordinary man either."
Then he left. Ethan was the kind of person who carried the weight of family influence, the reputation of being the right-hand man of the organization, and the restless energy of a man in his twenties forming a dangerous combination of pride and ambition.