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As if anticipating Nelly’s words, Boss shifted his gaze to her with an intense glare. “Ms. Jackson, General Will is not someone you can provoke with your reckless tongue!”
Nelly merely glanced at him, unimpressed. “I have no interest in conversing with cowards like you,” she responded, her voice dripping with disdain. Boss was left utterly speechless, his pride shattered.
Will, undeterred by Nelly’s remark, continued walking forward without looking back. However, something about her words compelled him to pause. Nelly seized this moment and spoke to him in Capstonese, a language of secrecy and intrigue. “Don’t you want to know my true identity, General Will?”
Will froze in his tracks, his curiosity piqued. He turned to face the enigmatic woman standing before him. “You speak Capstonese?” he inquired, his voice laced with surprise. Nelly met his gaze with a mysterious smile and replied, “A little.”
Will couldn’t help but feel intrigued. Nelly’s pronunciation was impeccable, suggesting a familiarity with the language far beyond a mere novice. He pondered the implications – if she understood Capstonese, she must have overheard their previous conversation. Yet, she remained composed, a rare display of calmness.
A smile tugged at the corners of Will’s lips as he turned his attention back to Nelly. “You mentioned another identity. Pray, do tell,” he urged, his curiosity brimming.
“General Will, do not lend an ear to this woman’s deceit-” Boss interjected.
Will’s piercing gaze silenced Boss instantly. “Speak another word and I’ll sever your hand this very moment,” he threatened, his voice dripping with menace. Boss could only clench his lips shut and take a step back, his defiance extinguished.
Undeterred by Boss’s futile warning, Will focused his undivided attention on Nelly. His amiable expression persisted. “Please, continue,” he encouraged, eager to unravel the mystery. Nelly didn’t waste a moment to oblige. “Do you recall Theodore Jackson?” she asked straightforwardly.
Theodore Jackson…
Will’s eyes narrowed, a flicker of recognition dawning upon him. “The name rings a bell,” he admitted, his memory failing to recall the exact context.
In that instant, Gavin’s expression shifted subtly. Approaching Will, he whispered something into his ear, an air of secrecy surrounding their exchange.
Will’s eyes lit up with understanding. “Ah! The prodigious hacker,” he exclaimed, confirming Gavin’s revelation.
“But isn’t he dead?” Will pondered aloud, seeking confirmation.
Gavin remained silent, leaving Nelly’s presence to seize the moment. “How do you know he’s dead?” she questioned, her eyes glowing with hostility. Will, perceptive as ever, sensed her suspicion. “The details of my knowledge are not for your ears. However, I must ask, what is your connection to Theodore?” he inquired with genuine curiosity.
“He is my father,” Nelly declared boldly, her words hanging in the air.
Will froze, his eyes widening in disbelief. “Did you just say Theodore is your father?” he repeated, his voice tinged with astonishment. Nelly affirmed his surprise with a steady gaze. “That is correct.”
Will scrutinized her from head to toe, undeniable shock mingling with skepticism. Gavin stood beside him, momentarily frozen by her revelation.
Yet, Will regained his composure and flashed her a reassuring smile. “Since you stand before me, alive and breathing, I bid you to live well. But what brings you here?” he inquired sincerely.
Nelly discerned a hidden meaning in his words, a clue to a deeper truth. “What do you mean, ‘since I’m still alive’?” she asked, unwavering in her determination to unravel the mystery.
Will’s narrowed eyes locked onto hers, a silent challenge exchanged. Gavin, ever the loyal companion, interjected, “Miss, mind your tone when addressing the-”
“I am not speaking to you!” Nelly interrupted, her tone laced with defiance. She glared at him before redirecting her piercing gaze towards Will, demanding an explanation with unyielding resolve.
Will calmly regarded her, a thin smile stretching across his face. “Do you know what befalls those who dare speak to me in such a manner?” he questioned, his words loaded with a veiled warning.
“Since you won’t end my life now, why can’t I speak freely?” Nelly retorted, her voice tinged with boldness.
Will’s eyes twinkled with intrigue, contemplating the source of her unwavering confidence. Puzzled, he asked, “Who said I won’t kill you?”
“If you kill me, you’ll never lay hands on a single cent,” Nelly declared emphatically, exuding an air of indomitable certainty. “I possess ways to ensure you suffer a fate worse than death.”
Will couldn’t help but wonder about the origins of her unshakeable confidence. Perplexed, he gazed at her, a question lingering on his lips. Turning to Boss beside him, he requested, “Tell me, what is this man’s other identity?”
Realizing he could no longer withhold the truth, Boss hesitated before divulging, “He was once the founder of DX Group, operating under the codename J.”
“DX…” Will muttered, a realization dawning on him. Suddenly, a thought flashed through his mind. “The largest underground organization in these lands?”
Right then, The Boss appeared to have regained his confidence, his aura hanging heavy in the air. His sharp gaze pierced through the room and landed on Will, undeterred by the apparent disadvantage the General seemed to have.
“General Will, that was then and this is now,” The Boss retorted, his voice commanding and unwavering. “Just because you couldn’t accomplish it in the past doesn’t mean you cannot conquer it now.”
Will met his gaze, undaunted by the intimidating presence before him. “And what is it that you want to say?” he questioned, his voice laced with skepticism.
“That man is the founder of DX Group,” The Boss explained, his voice laced with authority. “Though he retired long ago, his influence over the organization cannot be underestimated. Furthermore, he still maintains a strong connection with the current leader.”
“So?” Will pressed, his skepticism still lingering.
“As long as we have the woman in our possession, they will bow to our commands,” The Boss declared confidently. “You only need to state your desires, be it wealth or control over the DX Group.”
“A mere woman,” Will scoffed, his doubts evident. “Can she truly hold such power over him?”
“General Will, those at DX are driven by sentimentality, especially J. He seized my possessions because of this woman, even resorting to violence. And now, he has journeyed all the way here for her. Does that not speak volumes?” The Boss countered, his words compelling.
Will pondered The Boss’ proposition, his thoughts consumed by the weight of his words. He turned to Gavin, seeking his counsel. “What say you, Gavin?”
Gavin locked eyes with The Boss, a glint of suspicion dancing in his narrowed gaze. “If The Boss is confident in this endeavor, then he should be the one to undertake it. He has risked his life to be here, and success or failure shall not cause any harm to us.”
Will nodded in agreement, his decision final. The Boss stood silently, his determination evident in every fiber of his being.
“Very well,” Will acknowledged. “I entrust this task to you, Boss. But remember, failure is not an option.”
“Of course,” The Boss affirmed, his resolve resolute. “I eagerly await your good news.”
“General Will, what about the woman?” The Boss inquired, his curiosity piqued.
Will hesitated for a moment, his realization hitting him like a tidal wave. “I never expected Theodore to keep such a significant secret from us,” he admitted, bitterness tracing his words. “To think he had a daughter…” Will’s gaze hardened as it settled on The Boss. “If I recall correctly, you were present when we eliminated him.”
The Boss gritted his teeth, his fists tightening. “I was but a young pup…”
Will chuckled darkly, his amusement undeniable. “Indeed, that speaks volumes about your vicious nature, even from such a tender age, whether it is directed at others or yourself.”
The Boss remained silent, his guilt weighing heavily upon him.
“Does the woman know?” Will inquired, his curiosity getting the better of him.
Once again, The Boss chose silence as his response.
In that moment, Will’s realization struck him like a bolt of lightning. “If I am correct, she is here for revenge,” he concluded reluctantly, his gaze fixed on The Boss.
Reluctant as he was to admit it, The Boss nodded. “Yes.”
“How intriguing,” Will mused, his eyes flicking to The Boss. “You slaughtered her parents years ago, and now you seek to use her as a pawn. Fate certainly has a twisted sense of humor, doesn’t it?”
Straightening his back, The Boss stood tall, his wound reopening and staining his clothes with the blood of his past transgressions. Unfazed by Will’s taunts, he held his ground.
Observing The Boss’ unwavering resolve, Will spoke with finality. “Prepare yourself. Let her remain on the base while we uncover the truth.”
“But what if J insists on meeting her in person?” The Boss questioned, seeking guidance.
“Then I shall personally handle it,” Will declared, his voice firm.
Understanding the futility of further argument, The Boss pursed his lips and nodded. “Very well.” Will cast one more glance at him before exiting the room, leaving The Boss standing alone in its emptiness.
Taking a moment to collect his thoughts, The Boss eventually turned to leave, his gaze falling upon someone beside him. “Where have you taken the woman?”
“In the small house over there,” came the response.
Without another word, The Boss made his way towards his next destination.
Arriving at the entrance, he paused momentarily, his mind calculating its next move. Walking up to the guards with a determined look, he slipped them a handful of cash, securing his passage without uttering a single word.
In the small room, Nelly sat on a chair, her eyes fixed upon the window as if she awaited something momentous. When the knock on the door reached her ears, she closed her eyes in anticipation.
“Finished discussing the matter, have you?” Nelly inquired, her voice betraying a hint of amusement. “You know it’s me?”
A soft chuckle escaped Nelly’s lips. “It’s not difficult to detect the stench of a despicable creature that lingers in every corner.”
“I’m doing this for your own good,” The Boss retorted, his voice tinged with sincerity.
Nelly turned to face him, her gaze filled with derision. “Is that so?”
The glint of mockery in her eyes furrowed The Boss’ brow. “Yes. I admit, my initial intention was to safeguard myself. After all, I can only pursue my desires in this life, can I not?”
The room fell silent, the weight of their intertwined fates hanging heavily in the air.