Once the call was connected, Mark asked, "Where are you now?"

"What's up?"

Kendrick wound down the window and lit a cigarette in his mouth.

"I'm just curious. You always disappear for a period of time every year, and no one can find you. This year, you seem to have been gone for longer.

"How much longer are you planning to hide?" Mark asked with a dark look.

"I'm an old man now. I like my peace."

Kendrick exhaled a mouthful of smoke, which blurred his face. "I'm not under Emerald Group. Just focus on doing business with me. Don't ask about other things that don't concern you."

"I thought we were more than business partners. I thought we were brothers. You break my heart, Kendrick."

Kendrick snorted. "I may believe it if you weren't the one telling me all this. Quit this bullshit. Every part of you is fake anyway.

"I'll be back in a few days. We can talk then."

Kendrick hung up with a dark look in his eyes.

If Yvonne hadn't been in the picture, he would have told Mark about