She gently closed the door, and soon after, sounds began to emerge from inside the room, gradually growing louder.
One hour earlier.
In Oceanic City, on the lakeside island, Leo was handling business in his study when he received a call from Lone Wolf.
"King, we've just received word that Aaron took his two daughters to attend Bald Strong's private banquet."
Bald Strong's private banquet was infamous in the underworld, known for its unsavory activities, catering to the peculiar tastes of certain powerful figures.
The place was a specialized entertainment venue for the elite. Bald Strong had invited Leo several times, hoping to establish a connection, but to no avail. Eventually, Bald Strong sought backing from a branch of one of the eight major families in the capital.
Leo put down the document in his hand, a dark glint flickering in his eyes. "Prepare the speedboat and gather our men."
"Understood."
Five minutes later, a red sports car sped off the island, heading towards the dock.
Half an hour later, a row of black cars lined up at the dock. As soon as the red sports car came to a stop, everyone stood at attention, respectfully waiting on the sidelines.
Leo stepped out of the car, and immediately, everyone bowed and greeted him, "Boss!"
Lone Wolf approached. "The ship left the port half an hour ago, heading towards the open sea. If we move at full speed, we should intercept them in forty minutes."
The group quickly boarded the speedboat, racing towards the cruise ship at top speed.
In a luxurious cabin, Bald Strong was leisurely enjoying himself, drinking, smoking cigars, and being attended to by beautiful women, completely unaware of the approaching danger.
Suddenly, a subordinate burst into the room, frantically reporting, "Boss, something's wrong! Our ship is surrounded!"
Bald Strong immediately sat up, shoving the woman in his arms aside. "Who dares to come after me?"
In all his years in the underworld, he had never encountered anything like this. Who would be foolish enough to target him?
Someone must have a death wish to mess with him!
"I don't know who they are, but they're all armed."
As they spoke, the door to the cabin was kicked open.
A group of men in black combat gear, highly trained, stormed into the room.
For the first time, Bald Strong was faced with such a situation. Judging by the weapons they carried, he knew they were no ordinary force, and the calmness on his face vanished, replaced by a trembling fear.
The men in black split into two rows, pointing their guns at everyone in the room.
The occupants were so terrified they didn't dare move.
The sound of footsteps echoed from afar, growing closer.
The sound was like the melody of death, sending chills down everyone's spine.
As the footsteps approached, a tall figure came into view. The man's deep-set features were cold and stern, exuding an aura of chilling intensity.
As he drew near, the atmosphere in the room became oppressive, the suffocating pressure making it hard to breathe.
Bald Strong's pupils contracted when he saw the man. His voice trembled as he spoke, "Mr. Ye—Mr. Ye, I apologize for not welcoming you properly."
Leo stepped forward, pressing a silver gun to Bald Strong's forehead. "Where is she?"
Bald Strong was scared out of his wits.
Damn it, Aaron's going to get me killed!
"Miss Lin is in Room 1808. Here's the key."
Bald Strong, trembling, pulled out a master key from the drawer.
The cold barrel of the gun pressed against Bald Strong's forehead as Leo's low voice echoed in his ears, "If she loses even a hair, you'll pay with your life!"
Leo took the key and left.
As soon as they were gone, Bald Strong collapsed onto the ground, his face ashen, silently praying that nothing had happened to Miss Lin.
As they approached Room 1808, they could hear the miserable cries of a woman and the mocking voices of several men coming from a nearby room.
The woman's voice was somewhat familiar.
Leo recognized it—it was the voice of the eldest daughter of the Lin family!
Leo quickened his pace.
When he reached Room 1808, he quickly unlocked the door and rushed inside, only to see a woman sitting in the living room, leisurely eating fruit with her legs crossed.
Hearing the commotion, she looked up in confusion, surprised to see Leo.
"You... Why are you here?"
Then, as if something occurred to her, she stared at him in shock and slight disdain.
Could he also be a guest on this ship?
The ship had already left the port, yet he could appear in front of her. He must have been here all along.
Wow, she really didn't expect Leo to be this kind of person.
It turned out that men who seemed abstinent on the surface often had unknown sides to them.
Leo could tell from her expression what was going through her mind.
He had been worried sick about her, and here she was, heartlessly imagining things about him. What an ungrateful little brat.
Leo walked over and flicked her forehead lightly with his finger. "Get rid of all those messy thoughts in your head."
Zuri covered her forehead, glaring at him.
At that moment, from the bedroom separated by just a door, suddenly came a man's shrill scream.
"Ah! Ah! Ah! It hurts... it hurts...!"
Both Zuri and Leo recognized the voice—it was Aaron.
Then, they heard Jia Dafu's rough voice. "Stay still. It won't hurt in a moment. If you move again, I'll beat you to death."
A look of astonishment flashed across Leo's deep, calm eyes.
The next second, a pair of warm hands covered Zuri's ears, holding them tightly.
Zuri looked up at him, blinking, silently telling him.
Too late!
She had already heard it all.
Everything she should have heard, and shouldn't have heard, she had heard it all.
"This place is too dirty, not fit for you to stay in," Leo whispered softly into her ear.
"No way, I still have something to retrieve."
She had installed an invisible pinhole camera in the bedroom. If she didn't retrieve it, this trip would have been for nothing.
"What is it?"
Zuri gave a sly smile. "What do you think?"
Leo understood. "I'll have someone retrieve it for you."
Without giving her a chance to refuse, he grabbed Zuri by the collar, lifting her like a little duckling, and carried her out of the filthy place.
Zuri didn't forget to remind him, "Make sure they don't forget to get the item under the TV switch. They must be careful not to break it. That information is very valuable, and if it's lost, it's gone forever."
Seeing how she was still fixated on that item, the veins on Leo's forehead throbbed.
"If it's lost, I'll get you another one. The main characters will still be those two."
Zuri was momentarily stunned, then gave Leo a thumbs up, casually adding, "No need for Jia Dafu, we can find some other leads, someone like him would be just fine."
Leo: …
Zuri spoke with such casual confidence, without a hint of embarrassment.
"Zuri, I'm a man," Leo couldn't help but remind her.
Her long eyelashes fluttered as she looked at him earnestly, "I know that!"