The top-floor conference room of the Yafei Group's headquarters building felt oppressive under the gloomy sky that veiled the City H skyline. The air within the room was so heavy it felt as if it could drip. Around the long mahogany conference table sat the Yafei family's board members, each with a hint of unease and bewilderment. John sat at the head, his face still pale, but his gaze sharper and colder than ever. His fingertips lightly tapped the table, each tap like a heavy hammer striking the hearts of everyone present. Phyllis stood beside him, her gaze calm and resolute, like a drawn sword, radiating an invisible aura.
Kevin and Lynn stood on either side, thick stacks of documents and encrypted tablets before them. Serena Ross, the Yafei family's chief legal counsel, was also present, her expression grim, a file clutched tightly in her hand.
"This meeting is being held today to settle some old scores," John's voice was deep and powerful, carrying an undeniable authority. Each word was like a cold blade, cutting through the silence of the conference room. His gaze swept over Uncle Osmond and Leonardo, devoid of any warmth, only bone-chilling coldness.
Osmond Yafei, the elder who once wielded significant influence within the family, was now deathly pale, fine beads of sweat dotting his forehead. He tried to maintain composure, but his trembling hands betrayed his inner fear. Leonardo was even more restless, his eyes flickering, afraid to meet John's gaze.
"Uncle Osmond, Leonardo," John's voice suddenly rose, laced with cold mockery. "Did you truly believe your illicit dealings could be hidden from anyone?"
He gestured to Kevin, who immediately connected his tablet to the large screen. Instantly, the screen displayed dense encrypted communication records and multiple suspicious financial transactions.
"These are the secret communication records between Uncle Osmond and Leonardo and an individual named 'Victor'," Kevin's voice was calm and clear, each word like a knife, precisely stabbing at Osmond and Leonardo. "Victor, a shadowy figure in the international black market, and an peripheral member of the 'Shadow' organization."
The records on the screen clearly showed how Osmond and Leonardo, through Victor, leaked certain core technological information of the Yafei family to the "Shadow" organization and used the resort project for large-scale money laundering. Every piece of information, every financial flow, was meticulously detailed. Phyllis recognized at a glance that these were the scattered, shadowy clues she had stumbled upon during her own secret investigation, now fully presented by John before everyone.
"The resort's security system, those seemingly superfluous top-tier configurations, your 'control' over me, even that anonymous warning letter... it was all to protect me, and to lure them out," Phyllis said, her voice carrying a hint of coldness, her gaze sharply sweeping over Osmond and Leonardo. She recalled the pain and sense of responsibility in John's eyes when he explained the family heirloom, and her heart swelled with empathy. Everything he did was for her, to protect their shared future.
Osmond's body jolted violently. He could no longer maintain his facade, his face instantly turning ashen. He had not expected John to possess such detailed evidence, even Victor, their secret contact, had been thoroughly investigated. Leonardo, terrified, slid directly from his chair, collapsing onto the floor, emitting unconscious whimpers.
"This evidence is enough to ruin your reputations and even lead to imprisonment," Serena Ross's voice rang out, her tone cold and professional, like a verdict. She slammed the file in her hand onto the table; it was the Yafei family's internal investigation report and the prepared legal documents for prosecution.
"No! John! Please! Don't! I was wrong! I won't dare again!" Osmond completely broke down, he knelt on the ground, pleading tearfully. Leonardo curled into a ball, trembling.
John showed no mercy. His gaze was as cold as iron: "It's too late. Your actions have crossed the Yafei family's bottom line, and they've crossed my bottom line. Betraying the family and selling your souls demands a price."
The other board members present were utterly silent. They looked at John's cold and resolute back, their hearts filled with awe and fear. They knew that from today onwards, the Yafei family would be entirely in John's hands, and anyone attempting to challenge his authority would face a thunderous strike.
A family internal purge was swiftly completed under John's iron fist. Osmond and Leonardo were escorted away by the Yafei family's security team. What awaited them was severe legal punishment and complete expulsion from the family.
John returned to the main seat. He gently clasped Phyllis's hand, the coldness in his eyes instantly melting, replaced by a long-lost tenderness and reassurance.
"Phyllis, with you by my side, I'm no longer fighting alone," John's voice was tinged with fatigue, yet filled with strength. "Your intelligence and ability are my best weapons. This time, I won't let you out of my sight until all threats are eliminated."
Phyllis returned his grip, feeling the warmth of his palm. She knew this settling of old scores was just the beginning of their shared battle. The external "Shadow" organization, the true enemy hidden in the depths of the fog, was the ultimate challenge they were about to face. But at this moment, she was no longer afraid. Because her John was back, and they would fight side by side until the fog completely cleared, until the truth was revealed.
The Shadow's Lair
The Yafei family's secret operations room, located deep underground, was secured by multiple alloy doors and biometric systems. Massive screens occupied an entire wall, flickering with complex global maps, encrypted codes, and real-time data streams. The air was filled with the faint, deep hum characteristic of electronic equipment, and a faint scent of gunpowder—the smell of a newly arrived shipment of weapons.
John stood before the screens, his face still somewhat pale, but his gaze had regained its former depth and sharpness. His fingertips lightly tapped the console, a habit that once suppressed his emotions, but now conveyed a calm resolve. Phyllis stood beside him, her gaze fixed on the scrolling encrypted data, her brow slightly furrowed, but her eyes filled with an unprecedented determination. After the internal family purge, her trust in John had reached an all-time high, and she was psychologically prepared for the impending decisive battle.
Kevin and Lynn stood on either side. Kevin, as meticulous as ever, held a tablet, ready to report. Lynn, wearing thick-rimmed glasses, his fingers flying across the keyboard, his screen displaying the "Shadow" organization's network nodes and financial flows he was tracking. Black, the Yafei family's Deputy Head of Security, also stood nearby, silent but his eyes filled with alertness and excitement for the coming fight. Behind him, several elite security personnel were fully armed and ready.
"'The Shadow' organization's leader, codenamed 'Shadow'," John's voice was deep and powerful, his finger resting on a red-highlighted area on the screen—an abandoned military base in a remote mountainous region of Southeast Asia, complex terrain, easy to defend, difficult to attack. "According to Lynn's latest intelligence, and our intercepted encrypted communications, he will be conducting an important arms deal there in three days, and will also hold a secret meeting with core members of the organization."
Phyllis's eyes narrowed. She recalled the blurry photo locked deep in a drawer in John's private office—their past, which had never truly begun yet never truly ended, and her obsession for five years. Now, all clues pointed to this final enemy, and she felt an unprecedented resolve.
"'Shadow's' nest, it's here," John's voice carried a hint of cold killing intent. He looked at Phyllis, his eyes filled with trust and determination. "This time, we'll catch them all in one fell swoop."
"I'm ready," Phyllis's voice was calm and strong, without a tremor. "The five-year-old score, it's time to settle it." Her hand unconsciously clenched, her fingertips seemingly feeling the cold touch of a firearm. She knew that John's murmur of "Yaya" while semi-conscious, and Kevin's unusual gaze earlier, had all been explained. John had silently borne too much to protect her and eliminate threats. Now, she would fight alongside him until everything was finally over. She felt the powerful aura emanating from John, which made her both proud and heartbroken. He wouldn't let her out of his sight again; this time, it was genuine protection, not control.
Kevin immediately stepped forward, handing a black metal case to John and Phyllis. The case opened to reveal various high-tech weapons and communication devices neatly arranged inside.
"All equipment is ready," Kevin's voice was calm and professional. "Including the latest infiltration devices, jammers, and our customized tracking system. The Yafei family's elite mercenaries and security team are also gathered and on standby."
John picked up a silenced pistol; the cold metal felt exceptionally heavy in his hand. He looked at Phyllis, his eyes filled with power: "Phyllis, in this operation, you will be my eyes, my sharp sword. We fight side by side until all threats are completely eliminated."
Phyllis took the tactical vest Kevin handed her, expertly donning it. Her movements were swift and efficient, as if she were returning to her most familiar battlefield. She knew this battle was not only for revenge but also for protection. To protect the future of the Yafei family, to protect her hard-won love with John.
Lynn's fingertips flew across the keyboard, the data stream on the screen constantly refreshing. "Boss, the 'Shadow' organization's defense systems are activating. They seem to have sensed something. But we've already locked onto their core server. As soon as the operation begins, I can cut off their communications and surveillance."
"Good," John's eyes flashed with approval. "Black, ensure all passages are secure, and defend them fiercely. Any suspicious personnel, kill on sight!"
Black responded with a deep affirmation and turned to deploy the security forces. In the training room, the atmosphere instantly became chilling and solemn. John and Phyllis stood facing each other, their eyes burning with fierce battle spirit.
"Let's go," John's voice, like a drawn blade, cut through the silence of the training room.