The metal roller shutter creaked open, and Felix stepped out of the storefront.

Jared smirked upon seeing him. "Well, well, you're not stupid, after all. Coming out on your own saves me the trouble. I was about to make you experience some heat tonight."

Not far away, someone stood holding a lit torch, leaving little doubt about their intentions.

"Jared, I don't believe you'd really dare to act so recklessly," Felix said.

Jared sneered with disdain. "You really don't get it, do you? I've got an army of loyal men ready to die at my command. You, a nobody, wouldn't understand."

While Martial City appeared to have strict rules, Felix quickly learned that those rules only bound ordinary people. Those with power and connections always found ways to evade them.

Take arson, for instance. Jared's people could torch a building and have a scapegoat lined up to take the fall without any consequences.

"Laura and I are just friends. She already explained this to you, and I've said it more th