Chapter 19

As we worked side by side, Orm focused on measuring ingredients while I stirred the mixture in the bowl, sneaking glances at her. The way she furrowed her brows slightly when concentrating, how she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear—every little thing about her fascinated me.

"Lingling, you're mixing too slow," she teased, glancing at my bowl.

I scoffed, deliberately slowing down just to see her reaction. "Oh? Should I go even slower?"

Orm groaned dramatically, setting down her knife and stepping closer, her hands covering mine to speed up the motion. "Like this."

I could barely focus on stirring when she was this close, her warmth seeping into me. I glanced down at her hands guiding mine, a smirk tugging at my lips.

"Are you sure you're teaching me to mix," I murmured, "or are you just looking for an excuse to touch me?"

Orm froze for a moment before rolling her eyes. "You're like a little girl."

I laughed, and before she could pull away, I dipped my finger into the batter and tapped it against her nose.

She gasped, reaching up to wipe it off. "Oh, you—"

But before she could finish her sentence, I kissed the batter off her nose, licking my lips after.

"Sweet," I murmured, looking into her eyes.

Orm's cheeks flushed, and for a moment, she looked at me with so much affection that it made my chest ache.

With the kitchen finally cleaned up, Orm set the freshly baked chocolate brownies onto two plates while I poured the tea, the scent of jasmine filling the air. The warm glow of the kitchen lights made everything feel softer, more intimate.

I handed Orm a cup, our fingers brushing against each other. She looked up at me, smiling softly, before taking a sip.

I watched as she took her first bite of the brownie, waiting for her reaction. She closed her eyes briefly, savoring the taste, and let out a satisfied hum.

"Mmm," she murmured, licking a stray crumb from her lip. "It's good."

I smirked, taking a bite myself. "Of course, it is. We made it together."

She chuckled, setting her cup down and leaning her chin on her palm as she gazed at me. "You know... I never imagined you like this."

"Like what?" I asked, sipping my tea.

Orm tilted her head slightly, studying me. "Soft. Gentle. The same woman who strikes fear into so many people... is here, making brownies with me, drinking jasmine tea like a romantic."

I set my cup down and leaned in, my voice low. "That's because you're the only person who sees me like this."

Her breath caught slightly, but she didn't look away. Instead, she reached across the table, her fingers brushing mine before intertwining them.

I squeezed her hand lightly. "I don't think I've ever been this at peace before," I admitted. "With you, it feels... different. Like I don't have to constantly be on guard."

Orm's lips curved into a small smile, her thumb brushing over my knuckles. "Then don't be."

For a moment, we just sat there, fingers tangled, tea steaming in the air between us, the taste of chocolate lingering on our tongues.

I never thought I'd find peace in moments like these. But with her, I did.

As I took another sip of tea, my phone buzzed on the table, cutting through the peaceful moment. I glanced at the screen—Jiang.

I sighed, already knowing this wasn't going to be good. I picked up, holding the phone to my ear. "What?"

Jiang's voice was steady but urgent. "One of Sen Yui's old men came forward. Says he's got information—something about Orm's father, about the attack on you. He wants to talk."

My jaw tightened, and I glanced at Orm. She was watching me closely, concern flickering in her amber eyes.

"When?" I asked.

"Tonight. He's paranoid, says he doesn't trust anyone but wants to meet somewhere discreet."

I ran my tongue over my teeth, thinking. "Set it up. I'll be there."

Jiang hesitated. "Are you sure? If this is a setup—"

"I'll handle it," I cut him off, my voice sharp.

There was silence for a beat before he sighed. "Fine. I'll text you the details."

I hung up and set my phone down, exhaling slowly before looking at Orm again.

"What was that about?" she asked, setting her cup down.

I studied her for a moment, debating how much to tell her. But lying wasn't an option. Not with her.

"Someone who used to work for him says he has information," I said simply.

Orm's face tensed slightly at the mention of my enemy, her father. "...About what?"

I leaned back in my chair, fingers drumming lightly against my cup. "About him. About the men he sent after me."

Her expression darkened, and for a moment, she looked down at her plate, silent. Then she exhaled, shaking her head. "Are you going to meet him?"

"Yes."

Orm's eyes lifted to mine, searching. "Alone?"

I smirked slightly. "You think I'd be that reckless?"

She gave me a look. "Yes."

I huffed a quiet laugh but didn't deny it. "Jiang will be there."

She didn't look convinced, but she also knew arguing wouldn't change my mind. "Just... be careful."

I reached across the table, brushing my fingers over hers. "I will."

Even as I said it, I knew this meeting could change everything.

...

Orm watched me carefully as I placed a few more brownie pieces onto her plate, my movements deliberate, controlled. I could feel her eyes on me, studying, searching for the weight I wasn't letting show.

"I need to drop you home," I said, keeping my voice smooth. "Then I have to go."

She didn't respond right away, just pushed her plate aside and folded her arms. "You're not telling me everything."

I exhaled slowly, running a hand through my hair. "There's nothing more to tell, baobei."

Her lips pressed into a thin line. "You never say his name."

I met her gaze, silent. No, I never did.

Because if I said his name, if she acknowledged him as more than the man who stabbed me, who got me shot—then I would have to accept the full weight of what this meant. And I wasn't ready for that.

Orm studied me a moment longer before sighing, standing up. "Fine."

I smirked, tilting my head. "So obedient?"

She scoffed, rolling her eyes. "I just know I can't stop you. But that doesn't mean I like it."

I stepped closer, my fingers brushing against her waist. "I'll be fine."

She searched my face, then reached up, her thumb grazing my chin. "You're good at hiding when you're not."

I leaned into her touch just slightly, savoring the warmth before I stepped back. "Go get your things. I'll drive."

She didn't argue. Just turned and walked toward the bedroom, leaving me standing in the kitchen, alone with my thoughts.

I rolled my shoulders, adjusting the cuffs of my suit. This meeting wouldn't take long. I'd get the information, figure out my next move, and handle it—just like I always did.

Orm gathered her things quickly, slipping into her coat while I grabbed my car keys. Neither of us spoke much as we walked to the elevator, but I could feel the weight of her thoughts pressing against me like an unspoken question.

By the time we reached the underground parking garage, she finally broke the silence.

"Are you going to be careful?" she asked, her voice quieter than usual.

I glanced at her as I opened the passenger door. "You doubt me?"

She sighed, stepping into the car. "No. I just—" She hesitated, then shook her head. "Just don't do anything reckless."

I didn't respond. I couldn't make promises I wasn't sure I'd keep.

The drive to her apartment was quiet, but not uncomfortable. Orm stared out the window, lost in thought, and I let her be. My hands tightened on the wheel, my mind already shifting to the meeting ahead.

When I pulled up in front of her building, I put the car in park and turned to face her. "I'll text you when I'm done."

Orm's amber eyes flickered with something unreadable. Then, to my surprise, she leaned over and pressed a soft kiss to my cheek.

"Come back in one piece," she murmured before stepping out of the car.

I watched her until she disappeared inside. Then, taking a deep breath, I shifted the gear and drove off into the night.

Jiang was waiting for me at a discreet location—one of our safehouses on the outskirts of the city. When I arrived, I found him standing outside, arms crossed, his expression grim.

"He's inside," Jiang said as I stepped out of the car. "Says he's got information that'll change everything."

I smirked coldly. "They always say that."

Jiang didn't return the smirk. "This time... I think he might be right."

I didn't hesitate. I pushed past him, stepping into the dimly lit room where the man was waiting.

The moment I saw his face, something in me stilled.

I knew him.

He was one of Sen Yui's men from years ago—one of the few who had vanished before I could get to them.

And now, he was here, sitting across from me, looking like he had a secret worth dying for.

Jiang barely hesitated before slipping a pistol into my hand, the cold weight settling into my palm like a familiar promise. I didn't raise it—yet—but I let my fingers rest against the trigger, a silent warning.

The man across from me swallowed hard, his eyes darting between me and the gun before he spoke.

"I know you, Lingling Kwong," he said, his voice rough. "I remember when you were still close with Sen Yui. Back when you—"

"Choose your next words wisely," I cut in, my voice dangerously even.

He exhaled sharply and nodded. "I'm not here to talk about the past. I came because he betrayed me. Used me and then tossed me aside like garbage. I want to see him suffer."

I tilted my head, watching him carefully. "And why should I trust you?"

He chuckled bitterly. "Because I know something you don't."

I didn't speak, waiting.

"Sen Yui has a factory," he said. "Not just any factory. He's been holding a massive shipment there—guns, drugs, everything. It's his biggest supply chain in this city, and he's planning to move it soon."

I kept my expression unreadable, but inside, my mind was already working. If this was true, it was a goldmine. A single well-planned move could cripple Sen Yui's operations in one strike.

I leaned forward, resting my elbow on my knee, my pistol dangling loosely from my fingers. "And you're just giving me this information out of the kindness of your heart?"

The man smirked. "I want to see him lose everything. And if anyone can do that, it's you."

Jiang shifted beside me, his arms still crossed. "Where is it?"

The man hesitated for a split second too long.

I lifted the pistol, pressing the barrel lightly under his chin. "Don't test my patience."

He stiffened but nodded. "It's in the industrial district, near the docks. An abandoned textile factory. You'll recognize it—his men are crawling all over the place."

I held his gaze for a long moment, then finally lowered the gun.

"If you're lying to me," I said, my voice smooth but cold, "I'll make sure you regret ever speaking my name."

"I'm not lying." He exhaled, shoulders sagging. "You'll see for yourself soon enough."

I stood, slipping the pistol back into its holster. My mind was already spinning with possibilities, with strategy.

Jiang looked at me. "What's the plan?"

I smirked, my pulse thrumming with the familiar anticipation of war.

"We will burn it to the ground."

Jiang's lips curled into a knowing smirk, but his eyes stayed sharp. "I thought you'd say that."

I rolled my shoulders, adjusting the cuffs of my suit. My mind was already sorting through the details—how many men to bring, the best angles for infiltration, possible exits, and contingencies. A direct assault would be messy, but a controlled strike? Devastating.

Jiang tossed his keys in the air before catching them. "You want to do this tonight?"

I exhaled, calculating. "Not yet. First, I need confirmation. We watch the factory, track the movement. If what he said is true, then we move."

Jiang nodded, slipping his hands into his pockets. "I'll get our best eyes on it."

The informant was still sitting there, shifting uneasily. I turned my gaze back to him. "You're going to stay under until I say otherwise. If Sen Yui finds out you talked, you're dead before sunrise."

He paled but nodded. "Understood."

Jiang jerked his chin toward the door. "I'll have someone keep an eye on him."

As the man was led out, I tapped my fingers against my thigh, deep in thought. The weight of the pistol against my ribs was grounding, a reminder of what this was. Revenge had always burned in my blood, but now, it was more complicated.

Now, I had Orm.

A sigh escaped me before I could stop it. I thought about her—about the way she looked at me like I wasn't just a monster carved out of violence. About how she smiled at me just an hour ago, flour on her cheek, calling me ridiculous for making a mess in my kitchen.

I pinched the bridge of my nose.

Jiang, of course, caught it. "Thinking about your girl?"

I shot him a look. "Shut up."

He laughed. "Don't act like I don't see it. You're different with her. Less..." He gestured vaguely. "Murderous."

I clicked my tongue. "I'm still me."

Jiang raised an eyebrow but didn't argue. "So what's next?"

I pushed away the thoughts of Orm for now. The factory was priority.

"Get the surveillance started," I ordered. "I want to know everything—who's coming in and out, how many guards, what kind of transport they're using." I stepped toward the door, pausing briefly. "If we do this, it has to be perfect."

Jiang grinned. "When are we ever not?"

I smirked and walked out, my mind sharpening back to what it knew best.

War.

...

By the time I got back to my penthouse, it was past midnight. The city was alive with distant sirens and flashing lights, but up here, everything was quiet. Too quiet.

I poured myself a drink, but the whiskey didn't taste right. Maybe it was because my mind was still tangled up in thoughts of Orm.

I had never hesitated before. Not like this.

Sen Yui deserved to be buried under the weight of his own sins, but now that I knew who he was to Orm... it complicated things. She had no idea the man she once called "father" was the same man who had nearly killed me. The same man I had sworn to destroy.

I exhaled through my nose, rubbing my temple.

I could still feel Orm's warmth, the way her fingers had trailed over me just hours ago, the softness in her eyes when she told me she loved me.

Could she love me if she knew what I was going to do?

My phone buzzed. Jiang.

Jiang

JiangGot a guy watching the factory.You were right. It's loaded.

MeWeapons? Drugs?

JiangBoth.

I tightened my grip on the glass. So, it was true. Sen Yui wasn't just hiding—he was expanding. That made him more dangerous than before.

I knew what had to be done.

But as I looked at my reflection in the glass, all I could think about was Orm.

Her voice, her laughter, her warmth.

And the question that refused to leave my mind.

Could I have both?

Could I have love and revenge?

Or would one have to destroy the other?

...

The morning air was crisp, but I barely noticed. My mind was set, my body wired with purpose.

I stood in front of my men, dressed in full tactical gear—black combat suit, bulletproof vest, my pistol strapped to my thigh, and a rifle slung over my shoulder. My gloves were snug, my fingers flexing against the leather.

Jiang stood beside me, checking his own weapon. "You sure you wanna do this yourself?" he asked, his voice low. "You don't have to be in the front lines."

I smirked. "And let someone else put a bullet in Sen Yui's legacy?" I cocked my gun. "Not a chance."

The factory was in the industrial outskirts of the city—isolated, the perfect place to store illegal shipments. And the perfect place to burn everything down.

I climbed into my G-Wagon, leading a convoy of black SUVs packed with my best men. The drive was silent except for the hum of the engines and the occasional click of someone checking their weapon.

I rolled my shoulders, keeping my breathing steady. I wasn't nervous. I wasn't hesitant.

I was ready.

We reached the factory just as the sun started rising. The building was massive—high walls, guarded gates, men stationed on the rooftops.

I grabbed my radio. "Positions."

"Snipers ready."

"Explosives planted."

"Waiting for your command, boss."

I smirked, stepping out of the car, my boots crunching against the gravel. I stared at the factory, gripping my rifle.

"Move in."

Like a well-oiled machine, my men spread out, taking their positions. The first silenced shots rang out—rooftop guards taken down before they could sound the alarm.

Then, chaos.

Gunfire erupted. Bullets whizzed past. My heart pounded, adrenaline surging through my veins as I moved through the firefight. My shots were precise, each pull of the trigger sending another one of Sen Yui's men to hell.

One of my men got clipped in the shoulder. I grabbed him, shoving him behind cover. "Stay down."

Jiang was beside me, ducking behind crates. "They were expecting someone."

I grinned, wiping blood from my cheek. "Let's make sure they regret it."

A grenade went off near the loading docks, shaking the ground. I barely flinched.

I pushed forward, kicking open a metal door and stepping inside.

And there it was.

Crates of weapons. Bags of drugs. Money. Enough to fund an army.

And standing at the far end of the room was the man I had been waiting for.

The traitor who had called me.

He smirked, hands raised. "Took you long enough."

I leveled my gun at his chest. "Talk."

I scoffed, my finger hovering over the trigger as I stared at the traitor. Something about him—his smugness, his composure—rubbed me the wrong way.

"You're stalling," I said coldly, my eyes narrowing.

His smirk twitched.

I fired.

The bullet ripped through his knee. His scream echoed against the metal walls, but I was already turning, already leaving. I didn't have time for games.

Jiang looked at me as I stormed out. "You're not gonna listen to him?"

"No." I adjusted my grip on my rifle. "I trust my own bullets more than a rat's words."

Outside, my men were still engaged in a heated firefight. Muzzle flashes lit up the darkness, the air thick with smoke and the scent of blood.

Perfect.

I moved like a shadow, silent, precise. My boots barely made a sound against the concrete as I weaved between shipping containers and stacked crates. My rifle was an extension of my body—each shot a heartbeat, each kill a sentence in the story of my revenge.

A guard stepped out from behind a pillar. I didn't give him a chance to react. One shot—between the eyes. He dropped before he even knew I was there.

I kept moving.

Two more came running from the west side. I ducked behind a crate, waiting. Timing was everything.

One step closer.

Two.

I sprang up, firing twice. Both fell. Blood pooled around their bodies.

The factory was a maze of metal and death, but I navigated it like it was my home. Because in moments like this—when the world was reduced to gunfire and survival—this was my home.

A sudden movement caught my eye. A man with a knife, lunging from my left.

I twisted, grabbing his wrist before the blade could reach me. He was strong, but I was stronger. I slammed his arm against the crate, forcing him to drop the weapon, then drove my knee into his stomach. As he doubled over, I grabbed him by the hair and yanked his head back, pressing my gun against his throat.

His eyes widened. He knew.

I pulled the trigger.

His body slumped to the ground, lifeless.

I exhaled, rolling my shoulders.

Jiang had seen me fight before. He'd seen me kill before. But today, I felt his eyes linger on me longer, filled with something between awe and concern.

"You're wild today," he muttered, reloading his gun as we moved through the dimly lit corridor of the factory. "Like an animal out for blood."

I ignored him.

I kicked open another door. A man barely had time to turn his head before I put a bullet in it. His body slumped over the table, knocking over stacks of papers and a half-empty bottle of whiskey.

Jiang exhaled sharply. "You're angry."

I clenched my jaw. Anger wasn't the word.

I was furious.

My hands weren't just gripping my rifle—they were gripping the betrayal, the cruel joke the universe had played on me. I had spent years hunting down Sen Yui, carving my revenge into the bones of his men. And now, the woman I loved—Orm—was his daughter.

His god damn daughter.

The thought pulsed inside me, fueling the fire burning through my veins.

I turned a corner and shot two more men before they could even reach for their weapons. One tried to crawl away, his body dragging against the cold concrete, leaving a trail of blood. I stepped over him, pressing my boot against his back.

"Please—" he gasped.

I didn't let him finish.

The shot rang out.

Jiang let out a breath behind me. "Boss—"

I turned, my dark eyes locking onto his. "What?" My voice was sharp, unwavering.

He hesitated. I could tell he wanted to say something. Maybe to tell me to slow down, to not lose myself.

But he didn't.

Because he knew.

He knew there was no stopping me now.

My boots echoed against the concrete floors as I moved through the dimly lit corridors, my men following closely behind, their guns raised, ready for anything.

I stormed up the metal staircase, my pulse steady, my grip on my rifle firm. Bodies lay in my wake, some still twitching, some already gone. They were nothing more than obstacles—flies buzzing in my ears, swatted down without thought.

Jiang kept pace beside me, his gaze flickering toward me every so often. I knew what he was thinking. I was being reckless. I was moving with too much emotion, not enough calculation. But I didn't care.

This was personal.

At the top of the stairs, a set of heavy steel doors loomed ahead. The storage room.

I signaled my men. They fanned out, covering all exits, ready to fire at a moment's notice. I pressed my back against the cold metal, inhaling deeply. The air was thick with dust and gunpowder.

Then, without hesitation, I kicked the doors open.

The room was vast, crates stacked high against the walls, the air laced with the sharp scent of chemicals. Weapons, drugs, money—everything Sen Yui had been hoarding, hidden behind these doors.

And in the middle of it all—several men.

They scrambled at the sudden intrusion, some reaching for their guns, others frozen in place.

"Don't even think about it," I growled, my rifle raised, finger steady on the trigger.

Jiang and my men flooded in behind me, guns drawn. The men inside hesitated, realizing they were outnumbered.

One of them, an older man with graying hair, lifted his hands slowly. "We don't want trouble."

I tilted my head, my lips curling into a smirk. "Then you shouldn't have worked for Sen Yui."

And with that, I pulled the trigger.

The gunshot rang through the storage room, a deafening crack that sent the other men scrambling. The older man collapsed, a clean bullet hole between his eyes.

For a second, everything was still. Then chaos erupted.

Gunfire exploded around me, bullets ricocheting off the metal crates. I dropped low, moving fast, my men covering me as I advanced. Jiang cursed beside me, firing precise shots, taking down one of Sen Yui's men before he could react.

"Boss, you're out of control today," Jiang growled, ducking behind a crate as bullets whizzed past.

I ignored him. My blood was boiling, my vision sharp with a singular focus—wiping out every single trace of Sen Yui in this place.

Another man lunged at me from the side. I twisted, slamming the butt of my rifle into his jaw, sending him crashing into a pile of crates. Before he could recover, I grabbed my pistol from my thigh holster and fired into his skull.

More men fell. One by one.

The last of them tried to run, bolting for the exit. I exhaled, steadying my aim, and pulled the trigger. The bullet tore through his leg, sending him crashing onto the concrete floor with a pained scream.

I walked up to him, slow, deliberate, my boots crunching against the debris. He tried to crawl away, his hands slipping in his own blood.

I knelt beside him, gripping his hair, yanking his head back. "Where is Sen Yui hiding his next shipment?"

The man gasped, his face twisted in pain. "I—I don't know—"

I pressed my pistol under his jaw. "Wrong answer."

Jiang stepped closer. "Boss, we need him alive."

My finger hovered over the trigger. My heart pounded in my chest. Every fiber of me wanted to end him.

Then—Orm's face flashed in my mind. Her warmth, her voice, the way she had looked at me with love just a day ago.

I exhaled sharply, yanking my gun away. "Tie him up. We'll take him with us."

Jiang gave me a long look before nodding to our men. They grabbed the bleeding man and hauled him up.

I straightened, inhaling deeply, forcing myself to steady my rage.

This wasn't over.

Not even close.

As we walked out of the factory, the air was thick with smoke and the scent of blood. My men moved with precision, placing the last of the charges against the crates filled with Sen Yui's illegal shipments.

Jiang stayed close to me, eyeing me warily as if he was expecting me to snap again. He wasn't wrong—I was still burning inside, but I had forced myself to take control.

The last man was loaded into the back of one of our cars, tied up and barely conscious from blood loss. I didn't care if he lived or died, as long as I got what I needed from him first.

We moved quickly, clearing the area. One of my men held up a detonator, waiting for my command.

I took one last look at the factory.

This was Sen Yui's power, his control, his greed—everything he had built from the suffering of others. And I was about to reduce it to nothing.

I exhaled and gave a single nod.

The button was pressed.

A second later, the explosion erupted, tearing through the factory with a deafening roar. Flames burst into the night sky, lighting up the darkness like a firework display of destruction. The heat was intense, the shockwave strong enough to rattle the ground beneath my boots.

I watched as metal twisted, concrete crumbled, and the entire structure collapsed in on itself. The fire raged, devouring everything Sen Yui had stashed inside.

It was beautiful.

Jiang let out a low whistle. "Damn. You really don't leave anything behind, do you?"

I took a slow breath, letting the sight settle in my mind. "No. I don't."

He studied me for a moment before nodding. "Come on. We need to get out of here before anyone starts asking questions."

I turned away from the flames, walking back to my car. The adrenaline still pulsed through my veins, but underneath it all, a new thought was creeping in.

This was just the beginning.

Sen Yui would know now. He would feel this loss. And soon, I would make sure he felt something much worse.

But there was one thing I couldn't ignore.

Orm.

Would she ever forgive me for what I was about to do?