Chapter 5
Jamie Reid(Mc)
(leaning against the railing, staring at the city lights)
This world is chaos. Am I really cut out for this?
Victor Alaric (Ml)
(approaching silently) Second thoughts already?
Jamie Reid(Mc)
(startled, turning quickly) Sir! I didn’t hear you.
Victor Alaric (Ml)
(smirking faintly) You’re too easy to sneak up on.
Jamie Reid(Mc)
(frowning) I’ll work on that.
Victor Alaric (Ml)
(studies him quietly, leaning against the railing beside him) Couldn’t sleep?
Jamie Reid(Mc)
(hesitates) Just… thinking.
Victor Alaric (Ml)
About what?
Jamie Reid(Mc)
(nervously) Whether I made the right choice taking this job.
Victor Alaric (Ml)
(gaze sharpens) Regrets?
Jamie Reid(Mc)
Not yet. Just… adjustments.
Victor Alaric (Ml)
(his voice softens slightly) Adjustments take time. You’ve handled yourself well so far.
Jamie Reid(Mc)
(thinking) Did he just compliment me?
Victor Alaric (Ml)
(studying the faint tension in MC’s posture) You’re different, you know.
Jamie Reid(Mc)
(blinks) Different?
Victor Alaric (Ml)
(after a pause) Most people try to impress me. You don’t.
Jamie Reid(Mc)
(smiling faintly) I’m just trying not to mess up.
Victor Alaric (Ml)
(chuckling softly) A rare trait in this world.
Jamie Reid(Mc)
(thinking)
(That laugh… it’s so rare. Why do I feel proud that I caused it?)
Victor Alaric (Ml)
(watching him for a moment longer before leaving) Get some sleep.
Jamie Reid(Mc)
(to himself) Yes, sir.
Victor Alaric (Ml)
(walking away, thinking)
(Why do I notice the smallest things about him? This is a problem.)
The next day...
Training with Kai
Kai (Ml Right-Hand Man)
(tossing a wooden knife to MC) Show me what you’ve got.
Jamie Reid(Mc)
(gripping it awkwardly) Still not great at this.
Kai (Ml Right-Hand Man)
(smirks) I noticed. Let’s fix that. Lunges at MC.
Jamie Reid(Mc)
(dodges clumsily)
Kai (Ml Right-Hand Man)
Too slow. Again.
Jamie Reid(Mc)
(panting, but determined) I’ll get it.
Victor Alaric (Ml)
(watching silently from the doorway, arms crossed)
Kai (Ml Right-Hand Man)
(noticing ML) Boss.
Jamie Reid(Mc)
(straightens, embarrassed) Sir!
Victor Alaric (Ml)
(to Kai) Push him harder. He’s too soft.
Kai (Ml Right-Hand Man)
(grinning) With pleasure.
Victor Alaric (Ml)
(steps closer, speaking to MC) Your technique is weak, but your resolve is strong.
Jamie Reid(Mc)
(thinking) Why does it sound like he’s both complimenting and criticizing me?
Victor Alaric (Ml)
(turning to leave) Keep going. I expect improvement
Jamie Reid(Mc)
(nods) Yes, sir.
Victor Alaric (Ml)
(pausing briefly before leaving, glancing back) Don’t overthink it—just trust your instincts.
Jamie Reid(Mc)
(blinking) Was that… advice?
The Penthouse Lounge with Sophia
Sophia (ML’s Younger Sister)
(placing a small box on the table) Here, for you.
Jamie Reid(Mc)
(curious) What’s this?
Sophia (ML’s Younger Sister)
(grinning) A first-aid kit. Trust me, you’ll need it.
Jamie Reid(Mc)
(laughs) Thanks, I think?
Sophia (ML’s Younger Sister)
(playfully) You’re welcome. And hey, don’t let Kai intimidate you. He’s all bark, no bite.
Jamie Reid(Mc)
(smirking) I’ll keep that in mind.
Victor Alaric (Ml)
(walking in, catching the end of the conversation) Kai’s methods are effective, even if they’re… rough.
Sophia (ML’s Younger Sister)
(grinning) Speaking of rough, you should lighten up, brother. Poor newbie here needs a break.
Victor Alaric (Ml)
(ignoring her, turning to MC) Are you ready for tonight’s operation?
Jamie Reid(Mc)
(straightens) Yes, sir.
Victor Alaric (Ml)
(gives a small nod) Good.
Sophia (ML’s Younger Sister)
(after ML leaves) Don’t mind him. He’s secretly impressed.
Jamie Reid(Mc)
(thinking) Impressed? Somehow I doubt that.
Jamie Reid(Mc)
(sitting in the passenger seat, glancing nervously at ML driving)
Jamie Reid(Mc)
(hesitant) Sir… can I ask you something?
Victor Alaric (Ml)
(without looking away from the road) Go ahead.
Jamie Reid(Mc)
Why did you hire me?
Victor Alaric (Ml)
(glances at him briefly, then back to the road) Why do you think?
Jamie Reid(Mc)
(thinking)
( He’s not going to make this easy, is he?)
Jamie Reid(Mc)
I’m… not sure.
Victor Alaric (Ml)
(pauses, then speaks quietly) You were different from the other applicants. Something about you felt genuine.
Jamie Reid(Mc)
(surprised) Genuine?
Victor Alaric (Ml)
(smirks faintly) Don’t let it go to your head.
Jamie Reid(Mc)
(thinking)
(Why does that almost feel like a compliment?)
Victor Alaric (Ml)
(thinking)
( Why do I keep wanting to see more of him? This isn’t logical.)
Jamie Reid(Mc)
(watching nervously as Elena and Kai confront Marco’s men)
Marco's Lieutenant
(smirking) So, the infamous Liang sends his lackeys to do his dirty work now?
Victor Alaric (Ml)
(appearing from the shadows) I prefer to handle things personally.
Jamie Reid(Mc)
(thinking)
( How does he command a room like that?)
Marco's Lieutenant
(nervously) Mr. Liang. We didn’t expect—
Victor Alaric (Ml)
(cuts him off) Of course you didn’t. That’s the point.
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