At thirty, I started my comeback from the intelligence system.

The intense heat and blast wave instantly destroyed the wall separating the guest room from the corridor, and wood chips, gravel, and heat waves swept in like a storm!

The entire villa was shaking violently!

"Ah—!" Yu Xiulian screamed as she was thrown over by the blast wave.

Zhang Xiaoqiang was also thrown against the wall, and his pistol fell from his hand.

Liu Hui and Li Yilong were the first to be engulfed by the flames of the explosion and the collapsing walls, leaving only two short screams.

Zhang Xiaoqiang's ears were ringing, and his mouth and nose were full of smoke and dust. He struggled to get up and saw his mother lying not far away, her forehead was cut and bleeding, but she seemed to be conscious.

"Mother!"

"Xiaoqiang... hurry, let's go..."

Yu Xiulian called out weakly.

The explosion triggered a fire that quickly spread along the expensive wooden interior and curtains, producing thick smoke.

Fortunately, the explosion also appeared to have damaged part of the building's structure; the locked door to the guest room was knocked askew and the door frame was cracked.

Zhang Xiaoqiang didn't even bother to pick up the gun. He scrambled over and rammed his shoulder into the deformed door!

"Bang! Bang!" After a few blows, the door was finally forced open a crack.

He turned around, used all his strength to drag Yu Xiulian up, and supported her as they desperately rushed towards the stairs through the gaps in the thick smoke and flames.

Inside the villa, alarms blared and flames shot into the sky.

They stumbled down the stairs, thick smoke filling the air, making it almost impossible to see the way.

Fortunately, perhaps because the explosion damaged part of the security system, the electronic lock on the main entrance on the first floor seemed to be malfunctioning. Zhang Xiaoqiang twisted it hard and it opened!

He dared not linger, supporting his mother as they rushed out of the inferno and into the cold night, fleeing frantically towards the edge of the villa area without looking back...

Behind them, Villa 301 was completely engulfed in flames. Another explosion rang out, more violent than before, and the firelight illuminated half the sky. The piercing sound of fire sirens echoed throughout the villa complex.

Lu Jingxiang, who was at the welcome banquet, felt his secure cell phone vibrate rapidly.

He took it out and looked at it. The screen only displayed a cold, brief message from a specific code: "301 Emergency Protocol Triggered! Self-Destruct Program Initiated! Signal Source Terminated!"

Lu Jingxiang's face instantly turned ashen, and his knuckles turned white from gripping the phone so tightly.

Did Liu Hui initiate the self-destruct program?

The mission failed?

Li Yilong is dead, but what about the cleaning service?

Is there anyone else?

The things inside the villa... he dared not think about them!

A surge of emotion, a mixture of anger, heartache, and intense unease, welled up inside me!

He forced himself to take a deep breath, suppressing his almost explosive anger, quickly deleted the message, and removed and broke the SIM card.

He straightened his tie, and a formulaic, slightly tired smile returned to his face, as if he had never received that devastating message.

Raffles Hotel, Ballroom

Crystal chandeliers refracted dazzling light, amidst the elegant attire and the clinking of glasses.

Political and business elites gathered together, and the air was filled with the scents of perfume, cigars, and opportunity.

Mu Xueke, as the newly appointed president of Hanfeng Group, is one of the most watched focuses tonight.

She changed into a moon-white off-shoulder long dress, her long hair slightly curled and loose, and she wore only a simple pearl necklace around her neck, which made her temperament even more aloof and outstanding, like a bright moon falling into the bustling world.

Holding a champagne glass, she skillfully moved among several deputy mayors and provincial officials, chatting and laughing with ease and maintaining a perfect balance.

As her "presidential assistant" and attendant, Chen Geng, dressed in a black suit, quietly followed behind, observing everyone in the banquet hall, especially Emma Morgan and her team members.

Ammas was surrounded by Mayor Xu and other high-ranking officials in the center, chatting and laughing. His handsome face with slightly mixed-race features and his calm demeanor attracted countless eyes.

Chen Geng noticed that Emmas was always accompanied by two white men who looked like assistants, but had exceptionally sharp eyes and muscular builds; they were probably bodyguards.

There was also a middle-aged white man with a serious demeanor and wearing gold-rimmed glasses, and a female translator with a sweet smile but lively eyes.

Were those two "insiders" among them?

Just then, a young man in his early thirties, wearing a burgundy velvet suit and with slicked-back hair, stood in front of Mu Xueke, holding a wine glass and wearing what he thought was a charming smile.

"Miss Mu, it's a pleasure to meet you. My name is Feng Yuwei, from the Feng Group in Guangzhou. I have long heard of Miss Mu's beauty and talent, and seeing you today, I can confirm that your reputation is well-deserved."

Feng Yuwei spoke in a flippant tone, his gaze sweeping over Mu Xueke's face and body without any attempt to conceal it.

"Hello, Mr. Feng."

Mu Xueke nodded politely and distantly with a calm expression, and then moved her feet slightly, intending to walk around him.

Feng Yuwei stepped to the side, blocking his way again, his smile unchanged.

"Miss Mu, why be so formal? Although our Feng family from Guangzhou and your Mu family from the capital are located in the south and the north respectively, we are both just doing business."

"Our Feng family also has some businesses in Shenzhen, and there might be opportunities for cooperation in the future. I wonder if Miss Mu is free tonight? Shall we find a quiet place, have a drink, and chat?"

A hint of impatience and coldness flashed in Mu Xueke's eyes. Just as she was about to speak, a gentle voice sounded from the side: "President Mu, Mayor Xu seems to have something to discuss with you. Please come over."

Chen Geng walked over unnoticed, wearing an impeccable assistant's smile, but his figure cleverly positioned himself between Mu Xueke and Feng Yuwei, blocking the latter's improper gaze.

Mu Xueke glanced at Chen Geng, feeling a warmth in her heart, and nodded in agreement.

"Okay, I'll be right there. Mr. Feng, excuse me."

After saying that, he didn't even look at Feng Yuwei, and turned to leave gracefully.

Feng Yuwei's smile froze, his gaze turning dark as he turned to Chen Geng, sizing him up in his "assistant" attire. He sneered, "Who are you? Can't you see I'm talking to Miss Mu? How rude of you!"

Chen Geng remained expressionless and gave a slight bow: "I am President Mu's assistant, Chen Geng."

"Mayor Xu is indeed waiting for President Mu to discuss important matters. If you are interested in business cooperation, you can schedule a time to meet at Hanfeng Group for discussions."

Feng Yuwei, accustomed to his family's power and influence in the Guangzhou area, was never before dared to be blocked by a mere "assistant." His face immediately darkened: "An appointment? Who do you think you are, to even mention an appointment to me? Do you know anything about the Feng family..."

Before he could finish speaking, he lowered his voice, seemingly mindful of the occasion, and his tone became threatening.

"Kid, if you want to survive in Shenzhen, keep your eyes open. Don't cause yourself or your master any unnecessary trouble."

"Although our Feng family is confined to the south and cannot compare to those deeply entrenched families in the north, we are not just any Tom, Dick, or Harry who can take advantage of us!"

His words subtly revealed some of the delicate dynamics between the northern and southern families.

Chen Geng seemed oblivious to the threat in his words, remaining calm: "Mr. Feng, you flatter me! I was just doing my job. Excuse me!"

After saying that, he ignored Feng Yuwei's ashen face and turned to walk in the direction of Mu Xueke.

Feng Yuwei stared at Chen Geng's back, a sinister glint in his eyes.

"Chen Geng... I'll remember you."