(No one? Unreliable? Such a provocative tone, haha… what a shame, I just think it's a bit noisy.)
A slender, masked figure reported each detail to Hao-ge. Hao-ge replied calmly, "Anything to ask? Haven't handled it before? Or is your brain stuck?"
The masked figure answered immediately: "Understood."
Then came the instructions: "Calculate the ransom at a hundred times based on current information. 23:17, Silentwharf Lane. Prepare to move."
As soon as the words fell, several people in the conference hall rose in unison. Their movements were precise, almost mechanical, without a single unnecessary word, and they pushed the doors open one by one to leave. When the heavy wooden doors closed, a dull thud echoed, as if locking away the murderous intent that had just filled the room.
The vast space fell into instant silence, leaving only the faint ticking of the clock on the wall and the cool night air drifting in through the windows.
A man held an unlit cigarette between his fingers, letting the smoke curl slowly upward, twisting into a hazy trail in the dim yellow light. He stared at the empty doorway; the cold sharpness in his eyes hadn't fully faded, yet it had already sunk deeper into silence.
The next moment—
The motion-sensor lights of the underground garage flickered on in sequence. A convoy of black cars slid silently into the driveway. Engines growled low, then the vehicles quickly merged into the dark heart of the city, speeding away.
Tiffany opened the car door and saw Allen holding a bouquet of flowers. "You've worked hard, babe~ I just drove around nearby and thought this purple one suits your aura best. Do you like it?"
Tiffany smiled softly. "Of course."
She got into the car and asked, "Did any nearby cameras notice us?"
Allen replied confidently, "I parked in a hidden spot on purpose. I even circled around twice before stopping to make sure no one was there."
She reached out and gently rubbed the back of his head, neither too hard nor too soft, a gesture full of indulgent authority.
"Not bad. Didn't make me lose face."
He immediately leaned closer, his voice low and playful, "Just 'not bad'?"
She pinched the back of his neck lightly, her tone casual yet sweetly steady. "Enough. If you drift too far, I'll leave you to walk yourself."
He laughed and tilted his head to nuzzle her wrist, eyes both cocky and obedient. "Then give me a compliment."
"…Impressive."
"Not enough."
She pressed her hand on the top of his head, gently pulled him closer, her voice low and teasing. "You know you're the best, the smartest. Happy now?"
His mouth curled in a bold smile, nodding obediently. "Happy."
Meanwhile, the manager, - Having just wrapped up his frantic, exhausting businessand overwhelmed on the sofa, suddenly remembered something. He hurriedly dialed a phone: "Sorry to bother you. I've arranged the schedule according to your instructions. Is there anything else that needs to be set up?"
A series of beeps came from the other end, and the call was cut off. The manager exhaled deeply, finally relieved that everything had been arranged.