Unveiled: The Survivor's Triumph

The rain suddenly picked up. I grabbed the umbrella with one hand and opened the car door with the other. But just as I was about to step out, I hesitated. Did I really have the right to approach Emily?

I watched her run through the rain with her backpack, and I couldn't help but give a bitter smile. I closed the car door again and set the umbrella down gently. Lighting a cigarette, I waited until her figure disappeared into the downpour before starting the car again.

When I got home, the rain was still coming down hard. I parked, got out, and stood there with one hand in my pocket, tilting my head slightly as if I was enjoying the rain. Seeing Emily had stirred something in me, like the thrill of first love back on the basketball court.

I got soaked, my hair and shirt drenched, before finally heading inside. After a hot shower, I stood in front of the mirror, watching the water droplets slide down my chest.

That year of training had been intense, with daily physical workouts that transformed me from a skinny kid into the muscular guy in the mirror. The psychological training taught me to stay calm and collected, to be patient and steady. Business was a whole other beast. I learned the art of sophistication through my battles in the corporate world.

I could play the part of a carefree playboy, but I never let any woman get too close because of my special circumstances.

I had to be the perfect businessman, wearing a flawless mask to complete my mission.

As for Emily, I hoped she'd find her own happiness. Our paths had diverged, and we were never meant to cross again.

In the years that followed, I kept myself insanely busy, avoiding any idle moments that might make me think beyond my mission. I kept up with the training while expanding Skyline International Corporation.

To everyone else, I was a hardworking, ambitious businessman. That was my role, my responsibility.

Over those seven years, I wore the mask of a businessman, talking about money and profit every day. I mingled with shrewd, mercenary businessmen and unknowingly became one of them.

At social gatherings, we toasted and laughed, all wearing our fake smiles. No one ever truly opened up. I'd often come home drunk and pass out, only to wake up the next day, put on a suit, and do it all over again.

As I neared thirty, a lot of people with ulterior motives started pushing women my way. They'd come on strong, and I'd play along-wrapping my arm around their waists, dancing, taking their wine glasses, drinking what they offered but no one was getting me into bed that easily.

I knew these women, and the people behind them, weren't interested in me. They were after Skyline International Corporation.

To me, these women were just walking billboards of materialism and schemes, not worth a second thought. But sometimes, to keep things smooth, I had to act the part of the playboy. I learned to play the game, but I never let anyone get to me. I didn't have the luxury of being moved.

I rarely got genuinely drunk at these social events. Sometimes I'd pretend to be tipsy, but the only time I actually got drunk was when some business friends really tried to get me wasted. Even then, I was still somewhat aware.

I remembered being helped into a hotel room by a woman and collapsing on the bed. I could hear the shower running. I knew exactly what she wanted.

When she came out of the bathroom, she was naked, with the scent and steam of the bath clinging to her. She seemed surprised to find me leaning against the headboard, smoking, fully awake.

She probably didn't expect me to sober up so fast. I watched her calmly, indifferently. Her freshly bathed body had a faint blush, with graceful curves and a voluptuous figure. My unflinching gaze made her uneasy, but she still approached me boldly.

She knelt on the bed, her slender, well-proportioned body naked, trying to stimulate my senses. She tentatively placed her hand on my chest, drawing circles, occasionally glancing up at my face. Seeing that I didn't push her away, she got bolder and climbed on top of me.

She took the cigarette from my hand, wrapped her arm around my neck, and brought her lips to mine, passionate and eager. When I didn't respond, she stopped, pouting and looking at me with a mix of seduction and frustration. "Mr. Windsor."

Faced with such beauty and direct attraction, it was natural for me to feel desire.

She must have noticed because she smiled brightly and used her hands and mouth, trying to arouse my interest. But I gently pushed her away, bit by bit.

She pouted, clearly unhappy, and said, "Mr. Windsor."

I looked at her slightly parted lips, suppressed the fire in my heart, and calmly said, "Put on your clothes and go back."

"Mr. Windsor." The woman pouted and refused to get off, straddling me stubbornly.

Just then, my phone rang, snapping me out of it. I picked it up-it was Dennis. I shot the woman a cold, warning look, and she reluctantly climbed off. Lowering the receiver volume, I answered the call. Dennis only said one thing. "The news from Lonehawk is in."

I sighed and put my phone away.

"Mr. Windsor," the woman cooed, her hand crawling up my body again. I didn't give her another chance. I pushed her away, got out of bed, straightened my clothes, and walked out with long strides.

"Mr. Windsor," she called after me, sounding hurt.

I ignored her and headed straight out of the hotel, still feeling the residual heat of desire.

Standing by the roadside, I lit a cigarette, letting the cold wind cool me down until the fire inside finally died out.

As I finished the cigarette, Dennis pulled up.

I got in, and Dennis drove us straight to Heritage Square Plaza.

We parked near the plaza but stayed in the car to observe.

Dennis had mentioned on the phone that Lonehawk had sent reliable intel about an operation tonight.

Lonehawk was an informant Dennis had been in contact with. I didn't know his real identity, just that he went by Lonehawk, and his information was always spot-on.

After midnight, the plaza started to empty out, and most of the shops closed. The only places still buzzing were a few KTVs and internet cafes in the tall buildings.

Around 12:30 AM, the target finally showed up. A van pulled up not far ahead, and a group of young men got out, closed the door, and headed straight for an internet cafe.

The streetlights in Heritage Square Plaza were bright enough for me to recognize one of them-Richard. Dennis must have spotted him too because he turned to me and asked, "What do we do? Richard's there too."

Through the window, I squinted at Richard, who was walking to the internet cafe with another guy, arms around each other's shoulders. They looked relaxed but were clearly keeping an eye on their surroundings. Once they were all inside the internet cafe, I narrowed my eyes and said, "Proceed as planned."

A group of plainclothes officers, who had been lying in wait around the plaza, rushed into the internet cafe.

That night's operation ended with everyone getting caught.

Dennis and I stayed in the car the whole time. I watched as they were handcuffed one by one and loaded into police cars.

With the loud sirens blaring, the police cars drove away.

People from the KTVs and internet cafes spilled out to watch the commotion. After the police cars left, they chatted for a bit before dispersing.

With the car windows down, Dennis lit a cigarette and handed one to me.

I reclined the seat, leaned back, and smoked, staring at the pitch-black night sky through the open sunroof.

The square piece of night sky framed by the sunroof looked like a black hole, deep and distant.

Richard didn't get into college. Victor paid for him to attend a regional university, but he got expelled not long after. With nothing to do, he refused to manage Silent Grove Village and instead hung out with delinquents, learning to navigate the streets.

Since Victor brought Richard home, I rarely stayed there. I couldn't understand how Victor and Linda let him become so lazy and unambitious.

I also ran with a bad crowd, but I had my principles and a bottom line.

I still remembered a few months ago when he had come to Skyline International Corporation to find me.

Richard rarely sought me out. When he walked into the office and called my name, I knew he had an ulterior motive.

He claimed that Victor wanted him to learn business management and expressed interest in the general manager position at Skyline International Corporation.

Although business wasn't my true purpose, Skyline International Corporation was my shield, and I had invested my effort and energy into it. I took business seriously and certainly didn't want Richard to ruin it.This is the property of Nô-velDrama.Org.

I told him that everything I had today wasn't handed to me; I created it with my own hands. If he wanted to live a superior life, he had to fight for it himself.

I understood the pride and ambition of that age. Although I didn't interact much with this half-brother, I knew his personality well enough. How could he stand being looked down upon? With my words, he would surely strive to make a name for himself.

But it wasn't until tonight that I realized his way of striving was not the right path.

Victor and Linda quickly got the news. During that time, Linda cried every day, her face washed with tears. Victor was exhausted from running around for Richard.

However, due to the number of people involved, there was no chance of overturning the case at that time.

On the day of the trial, Victor and Linda went, and so did I.

The gallery was filled with the families and friends of those involved, all looking sorrowful and worried.

Their situations varied, and the sentences were different, most receiving ten years. Richard and another named Yanis were sentenced to five years.

After the verdict was read, a girl sitting two seats away from me stood up excitedly.