The Legacy Hotel, fifth floor, surveillance room.
Three security guards managing the surveillance have already collapsed on the ground.
Henry Rivera sat with his legs crossed, carefully holding a box, inside which lay a richly fragrant elixir.
"I didn't expect to unexpectedly acquire such a delight today. This elixir's fragrance is exceptionally pure, quite different from those treasures we have in the Carter family's collection—quite interesting..."
The old man beside Henry also spoke out: "Young master, according to the patterns on this elixir, the precise brewing time should be within the last ten days."
"Oh? I wonder where the Mason Family managed to acquire this item. That old fox of the family surprisingly decided to put such a fine elixir up for auction? Could it be that the Mason Family has already gained control of some kind of elixir channel?" Henry mumbled.
The old man continued: "The possibility is indeed high. Maria Murphy, though a woman, surpasses others in the Mason Family in terms of strength and strategy. There's a reason the Mason Family pushed her to the forefront. If the Mason Family has truly controlled the source of the elixirs, they will surely outstrip us by a great margin."
Henry's eyes revealed a trace of coldness, and swiftly, he turned around to face the man searching the surveillance data, questioning: "Have you gotten results on what I asked you to investigate?"
The man nodded, handing the tablet with copied files to Henry.
Three images were displayed on the tablet.
David Johnson entering Maria Murphy's suite for the first time.
David Johnson entering Maria Murphy's suite again during the auction.
David Johnson just left the suite.
The man continued: "Young master, according to the hotel's surveillance, this guy should be the one who stole our Hundred Herbs Tripod, and possibly the source of the elixir as well."
Henry immediately stood up, eyes filled with murderous intent and heat: "What! It's all this guy? Are you certain?"
The man hesitated for a moment but still said: "For the Mason Family, both the Hundred Herbs Tripod and the elixir are significant matters. Maria Murphy would be personally involved. I reviewed the surveillance, and today, Maria Murphy only saw this man, so he is the most likely suspect."
Henry looked at David on the screen and sneered coldly: "Daring to touch something of the Rivera Family's—I see you truly don't know the meaning of death!"
"Come, I want to see what courage this boy has to meddle with our family's property!"
After Henry left the surveillance room, Maria Murphy also arrived to clear the surveillance data.
Normally, she would leave such matters to the servants, but this time, she decided to handle it herself.
However, upon seeing the security guards sprawled across the surveillance room, her face changed.
Clearly, she was too late!
Moreover, the intruder must have been from the Carter Family!
David Johnson is in danger!
Although David refused her father's invitation, considering the advantage they gained from the elixir, she couldn't just stand by and do nothing.
"Peterson Randy!"
"Miss, I'm here," a middle-aged man replied.
"Follow David; if he faces any life-threatening situation, intervene once to save him. It's the least we can do to repay the family's debt to him," Maria commanded.
"Yes, Miss!"
...
The entrance of The Legacy Hotel.
I and Jessica Brown walked out together, Stephanie Martin silently followed behind, her Heart and Spirit unsettled.
Suddenly I turned back, looking at Stephanie and asked, "How are you getting back?"
"Mr. Johnson, I'll take a taxi..."
I was puzzled. Given the Martin Family's depth, Stephanie would always have a driver waiting for her—why would she need to hail a taxi now?
Could something indeed have happened to the Martin Family?
I had just arrived in Brooksdale; Larry Martin had helped me a lot. If the Martin Family was in trouble, I wouldn't stand idly by.
"Did something happen at home?" I asked.
Stephanie shook her head repeatedly: "Mr. Johnson, no... nothing."
I sighed helplessly, extending my hand: "Give me your phone."
Stephanie obediently complied.
I input a number and returned the phone to Stephanie.
"If anything truly happens, call this number for me. If I can help, I will. That's it, I'm leaving now."
Stephanie watched David and Jessica leave, tears welled up in her eyes. Not long after, her phone rang, and upon seeing the caller ID, her face turned extremely pale.
What was destined has come.
...
"David, why does that little girl keep calling you Mr. Johnson? It's so pretentious-sounding, really annoying!" Jessica laughed.
"Calling randomly, indeed. Her calling me makes me feel like an old man."
I hailed a taxi at the intersection, just as I was about to get in with Jessica, suddenly my eyes flickered with coldness, and I quickly told the driver: "We're not getting in. Please drive away."
The driver immediately felt tricked; you hail a cab but don't get in—what on earth for? He was about to curse out loud but seeing my eyes, he prudently closed his mouth, stepped on the gas, and drove away.
Jessica's beautiful eyes flashed with confusion: "David, didn't you say we were going home? Why aren't we leaving all of a sudden?"
The murderous intent on my body disappeared instantly. I glanced around and directly pulled Jessica into a nearby Cosmic Coffee coffee shop.
"I suddenly have a strong craving for coffee. Could you order me a cup and wait for me here, okay?" I instructed.
Jessica's face was quite puzzled, feeling David was acting strange today.
I chuckled: "I'll go to the restroom."
Jessica was utterly convinced, her face drawn with lines.
How many times has David gone to the restroom today? And it's not like he's drank much water!
"Fine, I'll order your coffee first and you come back quickly," Jessica said softly.
But before she finished speaking, I urgently left.
"Hey, hey, David...! Isn't there a restroom inside the coffee shop? Why do you need to go outside?"
The door closed.
David disappeared from her sight.
...
Leaving the coffee shop, my innocent smile vanished.
Instead, a touch of icy killing intent emerged.
My indifferent gaze penetrated the bustling crowd.
"You don't know my principle—any threat will be nipped in the bud."
I lit a cigarette, heading towards the northwest, a less crowded place with an alley lined with a few trash bins.
Clearly, it was the street's garbage disposal station.
Not far away.
"Young master, that boy seems to have discovered us?" The old man said.
"Discovered? Ha! So what if we're discovered!" Henry coldly responded.
"Young master, what about the girl in the coffee shop?"
"That girl looks good. After dealing with the boy, we'll ask her about the secrets of the Hundred Herbs Tripod and elixirs."
Henry and his people quickly followed up.
Soon, the three arrived in the alley, seeing a young man leaning against the wall extinguishing his cigarette, then flicking it with his fingers—the cigarette butt traced a curve, directly brushing past Henry's cheek!
"I waited one minute and five seconds for you, finally you arrived."