n

n

nTall, fair and fine-looking.

nPaired with his distinguishable features that're composed of his messy olive-green hair and ash-grey irises, Adrian knew that this man could only be Keith. He used to be an esteemed individual of wealth and prestige in the past, but now, he was but a fallen noble. But that's not really what made this man stand out from the rest -

nKeith had left a long-lasting impression on Adrian because he was once his close friend and Sophie's ex-fiance.

n

"You're supposed to have been taken down along with your killer grandpa and your crazy bitch of a mom...

" Keith scoffed.

n

"Guess I'll have to fix that.

"

n

"I'm surprised...

" Adrian said with an icy-cold tone, deciding to keep up the charade.

n

"This is sloppy work for someone of your caliber.

"

n

"We were supposed to have some help. But you sure acted fast. You managed to get a hold of our spy. And this kid here tried to run away. He put up quite a fight. You two are really uncle and nephew.

"

nHis hands grasp Damien by the back of his shirt. He then lifts him up like he's just some rag doll.

n

"He's coming to his senses now, though...

" Keith laughed hysterically.

n

"Or should I say, he's coming out of his senses?

"

nAdrian is livid right now.

nBut he held it back. And his response is to raise his hand up - a signal. Keith furrows his brows, alarmed. It's already too late when he realizes someone rushing to attack him from behind.

nCassidy pummels into Keith with all her strength, causing both of them to tumble down to the ground.

n'Shit! Where did she come from?!'

nHe curses underneath his breath as his grip on Damien loosens. She does her hardest to shake off her stupor and pull her nephew from his grasp. Conscious but weak, he latches onto his aunt's desperately. With that, they're able to crawl away from his assailant who's quickly recovering.

nBy the time Keith stands up again, Adrian has already retrieved the gun from his holster and is aiming at him.

n

"Are you going to shoot me, Ian...?

" he taunted with a crooked smirk.

n

"Aren't you going to fall flat on your weak little ass?

"

n

"Perhaps...

" he muttered.

n

"But I still hit my targets despite that. You would know that well.

"

n

"Oh? And I also know well that you're a stick I can snap in two moves. You can't shoot me. You're too much of a coward to do that.

"

n

"Yeah, well. Maybe I can't hit you.

"

nAs Adrian admits that, he lowers the gun down for a bit. Smirking, he then tilts his head cockily.

n

"But my wife can.

"

nHis eyes widen right then.

nAgain, it's too late when Keith sees that Cassidy has taken a large hammer from a nearby stand - from one of the games of strength, more particularly. Now she's preparing to throw it at him, aiming for his groin.

nAnd the hammer flies.

nAdrian lunges forward in an attempt to keep her target in place. Keith scowled at him and tried to shove him aside, but he didn't fall -

nNeither did he.

nAll of the sudden, someone joins in the scene and stops the hammer from hitting Keith where it would've hurt. Standing before them now is this tower-like figure clad in a cloak as black as night, with a top hat obscuring the view of his face. This man's presence alone is imposing - what more if his profile is visible.

nThere is silence for a moment. That's until the new contender drops the hammer on the ground.

n

"What aim,

" the stranger said coolly, his tone a strange mixture of approval and mockery.

n

"B-Boss,

" Keith stammered out, but then, his forehead was flicked by a long nail - the action drawing blood.

n

"Quiet, Keith.

"

nA command.

nAdrian furrows his brows at the authority laced in his voice. This man had seemingly come out of nowhere, though if he had managed to catch the hammer in time, he is sure he must've been lying in the shadows nearby, watching the events unfold.

nAdrian clenches his fists.

n'This had been a set-up. And this stranger had sought to learn how Cassidy and I work – our dynamics, our strengths, everything. He had been noting it all down. He had jumped in merely to keep us from gaining the upper hand in the situation.'

nA formidable enemy. Someone he doesn't recognize, to boot. He doesn't know what's happening anymore. He doesn't know what they want.

n

"I'm afraid this has gone on long enough...

" the man in a cloak began again, unwittingly confirming Adrian's thoughts.

n

"Collect the kid.

"

nAt his order, Keith starts to move once more. But then, he was stopped by a long cane.

n

"I wasn't talking to you...

" his boss sneered.

n

"You've dealt enough damage already.

"

nThat's when a woman appears from above a nearby stall, jumping over it with ease and brandishing a knife. She points it threateningly at Cassidy who then glares back. Unable to do anything, she can only watch her scoop Damien over her shoulder.

n

"Cassidy!

" Adrian bolted out, extremely appalled, but she immediately gestured him to stop, not wanting to put Damien in any more danger.

n

"You're not going to get away with this,

" Cassidy hissed at the woman.

nIn response, she pressed the tip of her knife against her throat, but she failed to faze her.

nUnafraid, Cassidy tilts her head to glower at the stranger who's observing her. Just like Adrian, she's livid right now. Her blazing crimson-red eyes seem to penetrate her soul, intimidating her. But the woman clenches her fists and grits out,

"Neither are you. Just you wait, Eleanor. Someday, I'll rip your mouth off of your pretty face.

"

nEven then, she still failed to get the reaction she's been wanting to get. There's a fire in Cassidy's gaze that the woman's cold-bloodedness fails to extinguish.

n

"I'd like to see you try...

" the red head growled, showing her who's boss.

n

"Try to hurt my nephew and your mouth isn't the only one I'm gonna rip off - I'll behead you.

"

nWith a scoff, she turns away from Cassidy and rushes into the shadows. The man in a cloak follows behind her while Keith does his hardest to keep up with his long strides. In the end, they're able to take Damien with them.

nCassidy and Adrian can only remain still, unsure of how to move next.

n