CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

David, a competitor of Julian's, is frustrated and restless because Julian has taken the CEO position that David feels he deserves. David's errand man returns with the Shadow Killer's contact information, which David immediately uses to send a message. However, he doesn't receive a response.

David becomes impatient and instructs his erand man to find another notorious killer who operates quietly, like the Shadow Killer. He wants someone who can get the job done quickly and discreetly.

The errand man bows and leaves to carry out David's orders.

Julian and his father, Victor, are enjoying wine under a shaded area, surrounded by servants. Victor instructs Julian to contact the Shadow Killer to take out David, but Julian is hesitant. He argues that killing David would lead to police investigations, which could expose their secrets, including their connection to the Shadow Killer.

Julian suggests alternative ways to deal with David, such as torture, but Victor dismisses his concerns, calling him a coward. Julian takes offense, defends himself, and storms out after drinking the last of his wine and slamming the cup down.

It's clear that Victor is a ruthless and cunning individual who will stop at nothing to achieve his goals. Julian, on the other hand, seems more cautious and hesitant, but also hot-headed and prone to outbursts.

It seems that Victor's intentions are far more sinister than Julian could have ever imagined. Victor is using Julian as a pawn in his game of power and greed, and he's willing to sacrifice his own son to achieve his goals.

The image of Victor smiling wickedly to himself sends chills down the spine! It's clear that he's a master manipulator who will stop at nothing to get what he wants.

Julian, on the other hand, is oblivious to his father's true intentions. He's caught up in his own struggles and emotions, unaware of the danger lurking in the shadows.

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Ava's mother walked into the police station, looking stylish in her flay gown and sunglasses. Ava, who was standing nearby, stretched her eyes in surprise and quickly hid behind a nearby table.

Ryan, who was standing nearby, noticed Ava's mother and walked over to greet her. "Hello, ma'am," he said.

Ava's mother looked at Ryan and smiled. "Hello, young man," she replied. "I'm looking for my daughter, Ava. Have you seen her?"

Ryan nodded. "Yes, ma'am. She's around here somewhere. Let me go check."

Just then, Ava popped out from behind the table, looking nervous. "Mom, what are you doing here?" she asked.

Ava's mother turned and smiled. "I came to see you, dear. You didn't send me the pictures, so I decided to visit."

Ava looked uncomfortable. "Mom, I'm busy with work. Can we talk later?"

Ava's mother shook her head. "No, dear. I want to meet your fiancé. Where is he?"

Ava took her mother to a quiet hallway, and they continued talking. As they walked, Ethan passed by with Officer Thompson. Ava's mother suddenly shouted, "Ethan!"

Ava had pointed out ethan, the one with a bandaged hand and without delayed her mother screamed out his name like a fool and that shocked Ava,she wasn't expecting it at all.

Ethan stopped and looked in their direction. Officer Thompson nodded and said, "You can go ahead, I'll wait for you."

As Ethen began to approach them, Ava's mother turned to Ava and gave her a knowing smile. It was a smile that said, "You're really my daughter"

Ethen approached Ava's mother, bowing his head slightly. "Good day, ma'am," he said.

Ava's mother smiled, taking in Ethen's appearance. "Wow, you smell nice," she said.

Ethen smiled back, seeming to relax a bit. "Thank you, ma'am," he replied.

Ava's mother's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "Are you in any way dating my daughter?" she asked.

Ava, who was standing behind Ethen, gave him a urgent signal with her eyes, as if to say "say yes!"

Ethen choked nervously, then said, "Oh yeah, I'm dating your daughter."

Ava's mother beamed with pleasure. "I am pleased," she said. "You look so good. You are cute, you are handsome."

Ethen laughed, seeming to enjoy the compliment.

Ava's mother's eyes narrowed slightly as she studied Ethen's features. "Are you Korean?" she asked. "You look like those Koreans."

Ethen shook his head. "No, no, I'm not Korean. Actually, I'm American..my dad is an american and my mom is a phillipino."

Ava's mother looked at Ethen with surprise and interest. "Oh, hmm, wow," she said. "I wouldn't have guessed that. You have a unique mix of features."

Ethen smiled and said, "Yeah, I get that a lot. People often ask me if I'm Korean or Japanese, but I'm actually a mix of American and Filipino."

Ava's mother nodded thoughtfully and said, "I see. Well, you're definitely a handsome young man, no matter what your ethnicity is."

Ava rolled her eyes good-naturedly and said, "Mom, stop flirting with my boyfriend."

Ava's mother laughed and said, "I'm just being friendly, dear. I want to get to know Ethan better."

Ethan smiled and said, "I'd like that, ma'am. It's nice to meet you."

Ava's mother continued to compliment Ethen, saying, "I love your side bangs, they're so cute! And pretty long, is it that you love keeping hair or what?"

Ethen shook his head, looking slightly embarrassed. "No, I just...I don't know, I just haven't gotten around to cutting it, I guess."

Ava's mother smiled and said, "Oh, no, no, no, it's fine, you don't need to explain. Is that an earring on your ear?"

Ethen's hand instinctively went to his ear, and he stuttered, "Oh, this...this is...uh..."

Ava's mother laughed and said, "No, no, no, I understand, it's for fashion, I know. And it's so trendy!"

She then turned her attention to Ethen's shoes, saying, "Wow, I love your sneakers, they're so good!"

Ethen was starting to look uncomfortable, and Ava was getting embarrassed.

Just then, Ava's mother noticed Ethen's bandaged hand and asked, "What happened to your hand?"

Ethen explained, "I was involved in a...uh...a cat-and-mouse chase, where we went to arrest some criminals."

Ava's mother's expression turned serious, and she said, "Oh, I'm so glad you're safe. You know, Ava's father and I have been worried about her living alone here. We've been telling her to visit us during her free time, but she's refused. She loves staying alone. I just hope you'll keep her safe."

Ethen bowed his head and said, "Yes, ma'am, I'll do my best to take care of her."

Ava's mother smiled and said, "I'm so glad to hear that. You're welcome to come visit us anytime you'd like."

Ethen thanked her and excused himself, leaving Ava and her mother alone.

As soon as Ethen was out of earshot, Ava turned to her mother and said, "Mum, what was that? Why did you embarrass me like that? Why were you checking him out as if he's a product you need to check out before buying?"

Ava's mother smiled and said, "Calm down, dear. You're so sensitive."

She looked at Ava with a piercing gaze and said, "You really have the eyes".

Ava's mother chuckled and continued, "You should be thanking me, if I hadn't married someone as handsome as your dad, you wouldn't be looking this beautiful. So, I'm sure you're about to follow in my footsteps."

Ava's mother leaned in closer and whispered, "I like him."

Ava rolled her eyes and said, "Come on, are you just after the guy being handsome or what?"

Her mother smiled slyly and said, "Yes, handsome and he has the money. I'm certain he has the money because he dressed so stylishly."

Ava's mother chuckled and continued, "If you had brought an ugly guy, oh my gosh, I would have disowned you. I would have felt you're not my daughter, maybe you were exchanged at birth, because my daughter wouldn't go for an ugly duckling."

Ava's mother laughed and then said, "Okay, well, you know what? I'll be lodging in a hotel since I know you like to stay alone. I'll be going back early morning, so take care of yourself and stay out of danger."

With that, Ava's mother left, leaving Ava feeling both relieved and amused by her mother's dramatics.