CH-7. Finding answers

A huge thanks to William Reid, Luck George, Osman Gomez, David Aderoju, Wesely_Teixeira, reso60 gomes, Kieron Haydon, thunderwalker123, Romel Rivera, Cesar Montemayor , Victor Perez, Devor, Imen, LazyAsh, Joe Thigpen, Ding dong, Mightyowl1767, Emilio Gonzalez, Nathan Hill, Alexis vasquez, Luca, tsuko leelane, Osiel, Matt, A, ParallaxDawn, Marick Mendoza , Philippe Techer, Chelsea2valve, Onemanarmy, Reed Pace, id wyrm, Rafael Borges, RealReader743, Thomas Desrosiers, Ryan, Chaos420, matt griffin, isaiah ramirez, bikash gurung, Joseph Bishop, arthur Jones, Raiden Allen, Noname09, Gabe Smith, Rome, Benoit Valtin, Ichdaboom, Whitewolf, EmptyBeing, Smithy Boy 420, Atticus Chea Jamaal King, multiverse right, Colin Hilterhaus, nick reisch, Aryan Singh, PhantomNite, Jessie, Chaos, Kds89, BR, Wes Ferrell, Eugene sivila, M.C, Random, Ownin Tarabi Yare, The Meta, Car Crash, Maybay, Gary, Gregg, Velzura, Carlos, greenDUECES, TheEntityAbove, Skulllnight43, Cristher Medina, Adrian, WyrmDragon, kl, Tanner Johnson, Andres Saavedra, john lowry-davis, WMAF Enjoyer, Cade Atkinson, Darius Collins, Josh, Kenechukwu Nkem-ossai, JackM, Scarlet Mars, Justin Barnes, Umbra Paco, Tariel Khalvashi Mr.goldenweek, John, Brennan Tubbs, Sung Jin woo, mike panos, Kobin Philip, brian price, wolfram, Wilnet Duverne, Joe Thingpen, eduardo tellez, Panera employee, Mandy G, Shadow King, Caio Lacerda, abs, Ecokane 0, Auzzo, Taz_231, solo _le, Velzura, Alexander Martinez, Marvin Lynn, OMG X WAFF3LZ, Denacious, idk5231, Drake, Georg Tasche, Maurice, MM, Luis, Alireza Akram, Chamar Ellis, Daniel Thomsen, Kiddeath1998, Jonay, Doomsdaylover321, pop_tarts, Niklas, Red Dragon, Tanner Johnson, Jesus, AIM ABLE, Paul Auke, Stephen, Placid, Origin, Lunar, Tarabi Yare, Sebastian, Lith Vehen, Josh, James Brown and Cranky Chart for supporting me on Patreon.

Check out my patreon to read 27+ advance chapters.

Patreon: patreon.com/HAREMLOVER

__________

[Reputation: 13→37]

[Companions: None (required reputation for next recruitment: 100)]

[Points: 3]

[Abilities: Combat Proficiency (Level 4), Driving Proficiency (Level 3), Firearms Proficiency (Level 5), Cold Weapon Proficiency (Level 2)]

[Shopping Mall: click here]

[Ding! Mission triggered: [Don't be a Fool], mission reward: 500 evil points.]

[Task Introduction: The host and Vanessa had been discreet in their affair. How did Kingpin find out about it? Find the answer and complete the mission.]

The words on the screen made Jason fall into deep thought.

As the system noted, he hadn't told anyone about his relationship with Vanessa.

The two had been extremely careful when they were together. Logically, their affair should have been kept secret, so how could Kingpin have found out?

Could someone in the gang have noticed something and secretly followed them? Jason thought it unlikely.

Because of his guilty conscience, his awareness of detection was incredibly sharp during that time. He'd switch between several taxis when heading to meet Vanessa, and nothing seemed amiss.

Plus, he knew everyone in the gang well. Jason would recognize any of them instantly if they appeared before him, so it shouldn't be a problem within the gang.

After sitting on the sofa for an hour, Jason still couldn't figure out what went wrong.

"I'll go out when it gets dark." He muttered to himself.

"As long as I find him, all my questions will be answered."

He lay back on the sofa to rest and took out his new phone to check the news.

Something big had happened in Midtown Manhattan yesterday, and the newspapers and TV stations must be buzzing about it.

As he logged onto CNN's official site, the first picture that came into view was a photo of black smoke billowing from Jason's apartment window.

What a shame, what a nice place. Jason felt a bit dismayed.

Including the decor, that apartment had cost over two million dollars, a sum he'd spent five years saving up. But all that was gone in a single blow.

With a long sigh of resignation, Jason clicked on the news and read it carefully.

The press release was long and tedious, over 10,000 words and 20 to 30 photos. It took him half an hour to read through.

There were only three important points.

First: Jason Walter, the apartment owner involved in the case, was a known gangster in Hell's Kitchen. His whereabouts were unknown, and the NYPD suspected he'd been kidnapped or killed.

Thus, what seemed like a vicious crime shocking the U.S. was deemed a simple gang vendetta, unrelated to any foreign terrorist organizations. Americans, especially New Yorkers, could rest easy.

Second: Through investigating the identities of over a dozen masked dead men, the NYPD suspected the Russians, specifically gang leaders Vladimir and Anatoly. Anatoly had been killed in the crossfire.

Third: On the building's rooftop, the NYPD found the disfigured body of a woman who'd been tortured to death. DNA results confirmed she was the owner of a Manhattan gallery.

Vanessa was dead. Jason's brow furrowed.

He wasn't a sentimental man, so he didn't feel grief or regret for Vanessa's death just because they'd been intimate.

It just surprised him that Kingpin had actually done it.

When Kingpin had been with Vanessa, he'd seemed gentle, even charming, with every gesture full of poise and gentlemanly behavior.

He hadn't looked like a bloodstained gangster but rather a lovesick fool.

But that timid puppy had turned on its master, killing Vanessa in such a brutal way.

Jason's frown faded. He was surprised at Kingpin's choice, but he could understand it.

For him, cuckolding Kingpin had been thrilling, even addictive.

But putting himself in the other man's shoes, he could see that it was a bit much.

Even the most level-headed man could lose control over something like that, let alone a ruthless criminal like Kingpin.

Vanessa's betrayal was a stain on his reputation, an unforgivable disgrace. Torturing her to death must've been his way of coping.

The more Jason pictured Kingpin's enraged expression, the more satisfied he felt.

What's that saying? Happiness is built on others' suffering.

___

Jason had been in the warehouse, mindlessly playing on his phone all day, and now it was time to go.

Jason took off the sportswear he'd picked up from the Nike store and put on a worn-out cotton coat and ripped jeans.

He rubbed his hands on the dusty furniture and smeared the dust on his face, neck, and hands, then messed up his hair.

After a quick disguise, he went from a sharp-looking man to an unassuming homeless guy on New York's streets.

Tucking a Glock 20 with a silencer into his pocket, Jason opened the warehouse door.

Outside, the sky was dark as ink, and buildings in the distance were brightly lit.

Stretching with satisfaction, Jason made his way to South Central Manhattan.

___

Kingpin ruled over New York's gangs not just because of his martial prowess but also due to his two loyal generals, one skilled in intellect and the other in combat.

The warrior was Jason.

Jason had come from a poor family with no connections, but he'd carved out his place with sheer grit.

After joining Kingpin's gang, he helped take down numerous rivals and territories, his fearless, aggressive style and combat skills earning him Kingpin's trust as his most formidable enforcer.

Jason's story was the stuff of legend among the gang's new recruits, who saw him as a prime example of how hard work could bring success.

But as the saying goes, conquering is easier than ruling.

Kingpin knew he needed savvy people to manage the hard-won territories.

Of all the think tanks he recruited, his most trusted was a white man named James Wesley.

And tonight, Jason was on his way to meet him.

___

After walking for several kilometers, Jason arrived at an upscale residential area in South Central Manhattan.

The neighborhood was filled with American-style villas, spaced apart to ensure privacy. The tree-lined roads, spotless sidewalks, and low crime rate made it an ideal place to live.

This is where Wesley lived. He'd once asked Jason to move in, but Jason declined, saying he preferred high-rise city life.

At 10 p.m., most of the houses here were already dark.

As Jason walked down the broad streets, surrounded by chirping insects, he couldn't help but feel grateful for his choice.

'Lights out by 10?' Jason thought. That would be harder for him than getting killed.

Wesley's villa wasn't big, but it had a well-kept garden with a 600-square-meter lawn, a detail that always struck Jason.

The first-floor lights were off, with only the master bedroom on the second floor still lit. Clearly, Wesley was still awake.

Jason took out his pistol, attached the silencer, shot out the camera above the villa, and made his way to the back door.

[Ding! Destroyed private property and gained 5 villain points. Progress: 465/3000]

He pushed the living room window, but it didn't budge.

He tried the kitchen window next, and it opened easily.

Jason slipped inside silently.

By the moonlight, he scanned the rooms on the first floor—empty.

Jason gripped his pistol tightly and crept up to the second floor.

The master bedroom door was slightly ajar, light streaming through the gap, and he could hear voices inside.

Jason crept along the wall, then… he stopped, confused.

"Uh-huh..."

Jason froze, his expression bewildered.

He'd imagined many scenarios for tonight, but this? Not one of them. Wesley was having sex.

He hesitated. Should he interrupt?

If he burst in now, it would likely ruin Wesley's night for good.

He'd decided before coming that as long as Wesley wasn't involved, he wouldn't kill him.

So Jason sat down on the sofa in the hallway and waited patiently.

'Why, I'm practically a saint.' Jason thought, feeling moved by his own restraint.

The noises from the bedroom grew more passionate, and Jason felt his mind wandering.

He imagined Wesley's wife's curves, her enticing lips…

'Oh, finally, they're done!' Jason thought, relieved. Five minutes that felt like an eternity.

Unable to contain himself, he raised his Glock, kicked open the door, and pointed it at the two figures on the bed.

"Hey, Wesley, I've got a big surprise for you. And… who the hell are you?"