This was a very old and desolate housing society. From the looks of it, no one seemed to live there anymore. The roads were broken, dry bushes lined the sides, and the houses stood in a state of decay. Altogether, the scene gave off an eerie and unsettling vibe, especially at this hour of the night...... Suddenly, the silence was pierced by the pained cries of a man echoing somewhere in the distance. If one were to walk a little further along the deserted streets, they'd notice a faint light spilling out from the kitchen window of one of the houses. If you peeked inside that window, you'd see a man tied to a chair, blood flowing from a fresh gunshot wound in his leg. He was begging for his life, tears streaming down his face, his voice trembling with desperation.
“P-please… B-Boss… just one more chance, I beg you! I’ll do anything you say, I won’t mess up again—please, just don’t kill me!”
The man sitting across was still hidden in the shadows, his face obscured by the dim light. But then, he handed the gun in his hand to the man standing silently behind him—his secretary—and leaned forward toward the bleeding man tied to the chair. As he stepped into the light, his face became clear. His eyes were the color of honey, but right now, they carried a chilling, cruel calmness. A lock of light brown hair fell across his forehead, and his face was carved with sternness. He stared at the wounded man for a moment, then held out one hand, raised a single finger, and said coldly: 31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt3ctA9wuSk
"Just one. One last chance to save your life. If you fail again... your family won't even find a single hair of your head—forget your corpse." 31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsdELVZUovf
With that, he stood abruptly, buttoning his coat smoothly and stepping out of the house. He was tall, broad-shouldered, and moved with the quiet authority of someone used to being obeyed. Once outside, he turned to his secretary and said seriously: "Send him to the hospital. Get his leg treated. And finish what he left undone." Then he walked to his car. The guard at the front immediately opened the backseat door for him. Just as he was about to sit down, he paused, turned back to the secretary, and added in a voice colder than ice: "And when the job is done, kill everyone involved. Leave no loose ends. And him too..."31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡknGVWRFxCL
He gestured casually toward the house, where the man still lay unconscious and bleeding. There was something terrifyingly calm in his tone, the kind of cruelty that didn’t shout but chilled you to your bones. Yet the people around him were used to it. None of them flinched, standing expressionless, accustomed to the darkness he carried. Then he got into the car. As it drove away at high speed, he sat silently in the backseat, watching the world blur past the window. After a few moments, he pulled out his phone, staring for a long time at the black, inactive screen. Then he turned it on. His home screen lit up with a smiling photo of Lena West—bright, full of life, unaware of the storm heading her way. He stared at it for a moment, then whispered softly: "Very soon, I will find you, dear cousin. But unlike the others… you won’t get an easy death. The hatred, the pain, the rejection you gave me—I’ll return it all to you, tenfold. You’ll die slowly… drop by drop. Maybe then, maybe then, my heart will find peace." 31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlrqhuPPgre
He slid the phone back into the inside pocket of his coat and turned back to the window, his face unreadable as the night swallowed his silhouette.
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At exactly 7 a.m., a sleek black BMW pulled up in front of a modern house.31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYpZlYMPEo2
The morning air was cool, and the sky still wore the soft hues of dawn.31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPZvmVfkdhG
On the gate, in bold silver letters, the nameplate read: MAX BENNETT.31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD9h7jYN1dT
The car’s engine purred quietly before shutting off, and the silence of the street returned — the kind that only early mornings knew. The car door swung open, and he stepped out, the sound of his brown hunting boots meeting the pavement sharp in the quiet morning.31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYLPA39lM9y
Wearing a black hoodie under a sleeveless brown jacket and black cargo pants, he adjusted the cap on his head, then slipped his sunglasses off and tucked them into his jacket pocket.31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoR53H7ESDH
Grayson inhaled deeply — the crisp morning air filling his lungs — and then made his way toward the front door of the house.31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qZhooGqBP
Crossing the garden area with quiet ease, he climbed the steps and pulled out a duplicate key from his pocket — one he had kept for emergencies… or moments like this. The door unlocked with a soft click.31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb70PqaznTr
He stepped inside, removing his cap and setting it down casually on the side table. His eyes scanned the space, taking in the familiar surroundings with a lazy sweep.31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB6ywPLBwAa
He already knew Max would be fast asleep upstairs — likely sprawled out like someone in a coma. With a quiet breath, he turned toward the kitchen. He opened a cabinet, pulled out a jug, and filled it with chilled water from the fridge.31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz8KNMRZcGW
He knew exactly how to wake Max up. With the jug of icy cold water in his hand, Grayson climbed the stairs silently — like a predator closing in on his prey.31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZmtrDwx6U9
Then — BANG! He kicked Max’s bedroom door open with full force, stormed in without warning, yanked the blanket off Max’s sleeping form, and before a single word could be exchanged —SPLASH! The freezing water poured straight over Max. Grayson, calm as ever, walked to the window, leaned against it, and crossed his arms, watching the chaos with a satisfied smirk. Max, still half-asleep and blinking in confusion, stared up at the very familiar — and very annoying — face of his so-called best friend. For a moment, he just squinted, trying to process what had happened. Then, without even a trace of shame, he wiped his drenched face with the edge of the blanket and muttered, “Huh… it was colder the day before yesterday.” He stood up, grabbed a change of clothes, and casually walked into the bathroom.31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmkbYMITqQ
This had become a routine between them.31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgFeLBRiX66
At first, Max used to curse Grayson up and down for these water attacks.31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9DSk3vtF6b
But now? Now he didn’t even bother to react.31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfcgOPSEEAu
He just waited for his crazy friend to show up and wake him up. Like always. A little while later, the two of them stepped out of the house and walked toward the car. Max was still half-asleep, dragging his feet like a zombie with one hand lazily pressed against his face. Grayson, as always, looked sharp and focused. They both got into the car. Grayson slid into the driver’s seat, started the engine, and glanced sideways at Max — who looked like he could fall asleep any second. With a small shake of his head and a quiet chuckle under his breath, Grayson shifted the gear and drove off into the early morning. Max let out another sleepy sigh and closed his eyes again, sinking deeper into the seat as if trying to snatch a few more seconds of sleep. Grayson, glancing at him while taking a sip from his water bottle, smirked. Without hesitation, he splashed the rest of the cold water right onto Max’s face. Max jerked upright with a gasp, completely drenched and wide awake now. He snatched the bottle from Grayson’s hand and angrily tossed it into the back seat, then glared at him. “Shameless idiot! Don’t you have any sense?” he snapped.31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ19qVOCVbOh
“First, you drag me out of bed at this ungodly hour, and now you won’t even let me sleep in the damn car!” Grayson didn’t respond. He was too busy laughing. Max turned to stare out the window, scowling. But then, slowly, a mischievous grin crept onto his face. He glanced back at Grayson, who was focused on the road, and smirked. “Listen, man,” Max said, his tone teasing, “why don’t you just get married already?” Grayson raised an eyebrow, side-eyeing him. “Seriously!” Max continued, waving a hand dramatically. “At least then, you’d finally have someone else to stalk besides me. You call me more times a day than my mother. And this—this daily morning torture? Feels less like friendship and more like... marriage.” He leaned back and sighed with exaggerated relief. “Please, do us both a favor—find a wife, get a life, and give me a sister-in-law while you’re at it. I’m begging you.” Grayson was clearly irritated now, and Max was laughing harder just by looking at his face. He knew no one in the world hated the idea of marriage and girls more than Grayson did. So this—this was Max’s revenge.31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡroJTDddZn8
For waking him up at dawn.31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfHrToUlZIx
For pouring cold water on him.31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVn2i9sV39r
For dragging him out of the house half-asleep. Now, with every teasing word, he was settling the score—one jab at a time.31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ppUM4sRkJ
Grayson glared at Max, who was laughing like a wild hyena, and barely managed to swallow the curse sitting on the edge of his tongue. With a sharp jerk, he hit the brakes, and the car came to a sudden stop. Without a word, he stepped out, marched to the backseat, and grabbed his gun. Max, still grinning, followed, pulling his own weapon from the seat. They exchanged a look—eyes locked, a flicker of challenge passing between them. No words were needed. With synchronized precision, both men loaded their guns, then gave a sharp nod. It was time for the hunt.But neither of them knew... That today, they wouldn’t be hunting an animal. They’d be hunting a girl. LENA WEST.........31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwisvZNEvaH
The same girl Grayson Blackwood had turned his entire agency upside down for. The same girl whose name had become a shadow on every report, a ghost behind every clue, and an obsession he couldn’t seem to let go.31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXLATYBJZKY
Today, fate was about to bring the hunter face to face with the hunted—and this time, the rules of the game were going to change. They both moved forward cautiously, guns steady in their hands, eyes scanning the dense woods around them. Grayson glanced sideways at Max and said with a smug little smirk, “Let’s see who wins this time.” There was a playful glint in his eyes, and that signature crooked grin on his face— the kind Max had come to hate, because it always meant one thing: Grayson was planning to beat him again. And worse...enjoy it.31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHRzLwcguaK
He wasn’t just out here to hunt.31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdlTyDNmO0e
He was out here to tease, to taunt—31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2pPoSJrSQ4
to turn this into yet another one of their infamous showdowns.31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEXXMkNoYWj
Max looked at him and muttered with mock annoyance, "Be honest—don’t you have anyone else in your entire agency to drag along and humiliate? Or is ruining my self-respect your personal hobby now?" He knew deep down he could never beat Grayson—his aim was laughable at best, while Grayson’s... was lethal. Grayson looked at Max and said,31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6kXJe2dZwN
"Obviously, my agency people have self-respect. Once they get humiliated, they never agree to come hunting again with me. That’s why I always bring you." And he laughed. Max glared at him, then suddenly smirked and said with that teasing grin,31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqrrV6q8j2e
"Well, who knows? Maybe your future wife is saying the same thing right now… and maybe we’ll meet her today." He started walking ahead, and Grayson, standing behind, looked like he was this close to shooting him—but held back. The two of them stood in silence, each holding their gun with precision, their eyes scanning the surroundings, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. Grayson and Max, focused and calm, had both raised their guns, their aim sharp as they silently prepared for the hunt. The tension in the air was palpable, as both knew the slightest movement could make the difference between victory and defeat.31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSOEXp7EdeN
Suddenly, a rabbit darted out from the bushes, but as soon as it saw the guns in their hands, it turned and bolted back into the thicket. Max, quick on his feet, fired at the bushes. But instead of hearing the usual rustling of an animal, a piercing scream echoed from behind the shrubs. Both of them froze, instantly alert. The scream was unmistakably that of a woman.
Without a moment's hesitation, they both rushed towards the source of the sound. As they reached the thicket, Grayson’s eyes widened in disbelief. Instead of a rabbit, there was a girl lying there, injured and trembling. His gaze flickered from her bleeding leg to her pained face, now flushed from the agony. She was dressed in torn clothes, her hair disheveled.
Max immediately ran towards the car to grab the first aid kit, but Grayson stood there for a moment, taking in the sight of her—blood seeping from her wound, her body trembling in pain, and tears streaming down her face. She was on the brink of losing consciousness, the pain overwhelming her.
Before she slipped into unconsciousness, she whispered, barely audible, "Please... don’t take me to the police. I’m innocent... hide me... please.31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ92eUJrAeX8
Max came running back, panting, with the first aid kit in his hand. As he opened it and pulled out a bandage, he muttered in panic, “We shot a girl instead of a rabbit—oh God, what have we done! We’re seriously screwed now!” He kept talking while his trembling hands tried to bandage her bleeding leg. Grayson, meanwhile, stood silently, his gaze fixed on the girl's face—her features twisted in pain, her skin pale, tears streaming down her cheeks. She was clearly on the verge of passing out. Her clothes were torn, her hair messy, and she looked like she had been running for her life. Just before she lost consciousness, she whispered in a choked voice, “Please... don’t hand me over to the police... I’m innocent... hide me... please...”31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ01IrvV78bM
Grayson took a deep breath and finally spoke, his voice calm but firm. “We didn’t shoot her—you did. And don’t worry, we’re not taking her to a hospital. I’m taking her home. I’ll have my private doctors remove the bullet and take care of her. You don’t need to panic.”31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6nTt90PNqt
He stood up, brushed the dirt off his clothes, and handed Max his gun. “Go bring the car around from the parking area to the road. I’ll carry her there. And not a single word to anyone about what happened here.” Max looked at him in shock. “Why? Why not take her to the hospital? She’s seriously hurt!”31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRVoxTquaKO
Grayson gave him an exasperated glare. “Just do what I said. Don’t push me. Or I swear I’ll leave you here with her—and then you can take her to the hospital yourself and explain to the police how you accidentally shot a girl while aiming for a rabbit. As soon as Max heard him, he ran toward the parking area without another word. Grayson turned back and looked at the unconscious girl lying in the grass. He calmly rolled up the sleeves of his hoodie, bent down, and gently lifted her in his arms. She was completely unaware, lost in the haze of pain and exhaustion, her head resting against his chest, one arm hanging limply at her side, and her long, light brown hair cascading freely. Grayson carried her with care, every step steady, his face unreadable. By the time he reached the road, Max was already there with the car, engine running and the back door open. Grayson carefully placed the girl inside, laying her down gently on the seat and closing the door. Then both of them got into the car, stealing a quick glance at each other. Max looked anxious and slightly panicked, but Grayson remained calm, composed, already turning the car toward his house. He didn’t say a word, but his mind was racing.31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgCm5kevDfb
What he didn’t know—what he couldn’t have predicted—was that after leaving this forest, his peaceful life would never be the same again. Had he known what fate was bringing him today, he might never have come hunting in the first place…31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqPckGrwF1X
But then again, that’s what fate is all about—unpredictable and irreversible.31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0KsVgMrXu2
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