Chapter 772
Chapter 772:
Ashton let out a long sigh. This time, he truly had no intention of letting Red Jack escape. However, Red Jack’s trump card, this Glorious Heritage, was something Ashton hadn’t expected. Though Red Jack had managed to escape, he had abandoned two of the Glorious Heritage items to make his getaway.
Ashton stooped to pick up a quill pen and a palm-sized notebook left in the wake of Red Jack’s retreat. For a fleeting moment, a glimmer of relief crossed his face, like sunlight breaking through stormy clouds.
Red Jack had made off with a small bottle of ink, but at least the immediate peril looming over Staville had been averted—albeit temporarily.
The duel’s aftermath left Stephen, who had been watching from the sidelines, as pale as a ghost. The sheer force Red Jack had displayed chilled him to the bone; Stephen was convinced that even an army of a hundred wouldn’t stand a chance against such overwhelming power.
Yet, what truly left him reeling was Ashton’s display of dominance, which eclipsed Red Jack’s strength like the sun outshining a flickering candle.
Despite his amazement, Stephen’s fear quickly morphed into anxiety. Red Jack had escaped with one of Stephen’s most cherished secret treasures.
For years, Stephen had meticulously built an empire, all while harboring a single, burning desire—to use the treasures to fulfill his wish of immortality. He had waited over two decades, inching closer to the moment when his dream would finally take flight.
Now, with Red Jack gone, one treasure stolen, and the remaining two firmly in Ashton’s grasp, Stephen’s aspirations crumbled like a house of cards caught in a gale.
As the bitter truth sank in, Stephen’s composure unraveled. Fury twisted his face, turning it into a mask of rage and desperation.
Casting aside all caution, he grabbed his phone and barked into it, “Emergency situation! Everyone outside, get in here immediately!”
𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝕥𝕣𝕦𝕖 𝕤𝕠𝕦𝕣𝕔𝕖: gⱯ𝗅𝗇𝗈ν𝖊𝗅𝘀⩵ℭ𝗈𝗺
A chorus of synchronized footsteps soon echoed through the corridor. Within moments, the Crawford family’s security guards poured into the vault like a tide, encircling Ashton with military precision.
Stephen’s voice thundered, fueled by anger and desperation. “Ashton! I’m giving you one last chance. Hand over the treasures now, and I’ll forget everything you’ve done. You’ll even walk out of this house alive! But if you defy me, mark my words—you won’t leave here breathing!”
Ashton surveyed the ring of guards surrounding him, their numbers a formidable force. Yet his response was as calm as a still lake. With a faint smile, he replied, “Mr. Crawford, I appreciate your generous offer. However, I believe these dangerous items will be far safer in my hands.”
Stephen’s eyes darkened with menace, his patience fraying to its final thread. He roared, “If you won’t surrender them willingly, don’t blame me for what happens next! Listen up, everyone! Do whatever it takes—retrieve those two items from him, even if it means killing him! I’ll bear the consequences!”
To safeguard the Crawford family’s wealth, which exceeded ten billion, their security team consisted of highly skilled individuals. These were not ordinary guards; many were former mercenaries who had retired from military service, while others were bodyguards with intense training.
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