Outside the SARS headquarters, chaos erupted.
Cars blocked the entrance, cameras flashed, and reporters shoved against the guards trying to hold them back.
A sleek black car forced its way through the crowd and came to a halt. The door opened, and out stepped a young-looking man with white hair, bangs falling over red eyes hidden behind blue glasses. He wore SARS's signature long white-and-red coat, matching trousers, and a bracelet gleaming faintly on his wrist.
A reporter gasped. "H-hey, it's the 3rd Division Chief… Lawrence Luis himself!"
Reporters surged forward, shouting over one another as guards tried to push them back.
"Let us talk to the SARS chief!"
"What is SARS doing against the Ruling Syndicate?"
"People are suffering while you sit silent—are you neglecting them?"
"Dregs cases are rising every day, what's your answer?"
"And what about Adrian Bathan, the escaped murderer? Rumors say the Syndicate is behind him!"
Ignoring every voice, Lawrence walked straight through the mess, his steps cold and deliberate.
Inside, waiting at the entrance, stood his vice chief—Xavier Storm.
"Welcome, Chief," Xavier said with a grin.
Lawrence didn't return the greeting. His tone was sharp, his gaze even sharper. "Xavier… what is that chaos outside?"
"Media—" Xavier started.
"I know it's the media," Lawrence cut him off. "Clear that noise immediately."
"As you wish, Chief." Xavier's grin widened.
Lawrence's eyes narrowed. "Kill them if they don't go."
Xavier chuckled. "Unfortunately, that we can't do."
Lawrence stopped, eyebrow twitching. His voice dropped, dangerous and cold. "What's so funny, Xavier? Hah… tell me." He grabbed Xavier by the collar, eyes burning into him.
A tense silence stretched before Lawrence let go and turned away, heading deeper into headquarters.
Xavier straightened his coat, smirked, and spat on the floor. "Hmph. Asshole."
As Xavier turned to head outside, footsteps echoed from the corridor.
Ceaser Bathan walked in, accompanied by a tall man with black hair with modern mullet hairstyle. His SARS coat hung open over a tight white shirt, one hand in his pocket, the other holding a phone to his ear.
"Yeah, Chief, I just got here… mm, I'm coming," the man said before cutting the call.
Xavier's eyes narrowed. His expression shifted immediately.
"James… with him?" he thought.
James noticed Xavier staring and smiled. "Oh, if it isn't Xavier."
Xavier's tone turned sharp. "Why are you with Ceaser Bathan?"
James laughed lightly. "Mr. Bathan? You see, the 5th Division is taking the fugitive Adrian Bathan case under our wing. Rumors say the Ruling Syndicate is involved."
"I know that, but—" Xavier started.
James cut him off with a raised hand. "Wait a second." He turned to Ceaser with a disarming grin. "Sorry about this, Mr. Bathan, he's a bit talkative today."
Ceaser chuckled. "Haha, I don't mind."
James flashed a smile. "That's very kind of you."
Xavier's forehead twitched. His patience was wearing thin.
James turned back. "So, what were you saying?"
Xavier's voice hardened. "We're taking this case under the 3rd Division. You know that."
James tilted his head, feigning ignorance. "Really? Strange… I never heard that."
"Don't fuck with me, James. You know damn well," Xavier snapped, jabbing a finger at him.
James's smile faded, his tone shifting. "So what? And why are you pointing that finger at me?"
Xavier slowly lowered it, jaw clenched.
James grinned again. "What are you, a kid?"
Xavier growled. "Ceaser Bathan is coming with me to the 3rd Division."
James shook his head. "No. He's coming with me to the 5th Division." His smirk widened. "And you can do whatever you want about it."
Xavier stepped forward, voice boiling. "What do you think you are, huh?"
James leaned in slightly, eyes gleaming. "Think whatever you want. Oh, wait… you're scared of your Chief, Lawrence Luis, aren't you? If you don't bring Ceaser back with you now, he'll… beat the shit out of you, right?"
Ceaser laughed at the jab. "Really, Xavier?"
James joined in with a mocking laugh. "Yeah, Mr. Bathan. The 3rd Division Chief is terrifying… for him."
Xavier's fists tightened. With a sudden roar, he slammed his fist into the wall just beside James's head, the sound echoing.
"Shut your fucking mouth," Xavier snarled. "Take him with you then—but finding Adrian will be me."
He turned, his glare lingering on Ceaser. "And let me tell you this. Not only will I find him… I'll kill him myself."
James smirked. "Let me see you try."
Somewhere in the city, at the backyard of a grand mansion.
Becker Sento lay back on a chair by the pool. A cigar rested in his mouth, a half-empty beer bottle at his feet.
Armed guards stood at every corner with assault rifles, while girls in swimsuits splashed and laughed in the pool.
"Hey, Beck, come join us!" one of the girls called.
"Yeah, swim with us!" another chimed in.
Becker chuckled and blew out smoke. "Nah, I'm good right here."
The laughter of the girls faded as Ralph and Liam walked up. Both wore white shirts, drenched and stained with blood.
Becker glanced at them, unimpressed. "At least change before coming to me."
Ralph smirked. "We wanted to show our dedication, boss."
Becker's lip curled. "Dedication? You look like stray dogs after a fight."
Ignoring him, Liam eyed the floor. "Boss, got another beer? I haven't had one in four hours."
Without a word, Becker nudged the bottle with his foot. Liam snatched it up.
"Liam, the way you drink, I guarantee you'll die young," Becker said lazily.
Liam grinned between sips. "Then I'll die doing what I love."
Ralph folded his arms. "Boss, you know Adrian escaped, right?"
Becker's eyes narrowed, but his voice stayed calm. "Of course. So what about him?"
Ralph calmly said "My intel says a gang called Shadows helped him break out. Not only that—he's joined them."
Becker sat up slightly, smoke curling from his cigar. "That rookie gang? The one barely a year old?"
"Yeah," Ralph replied. "The same gang that's been interfering with our drug supply."
Becker exhaled slowly. "Hmph. And their Topbrass allows this? …Well, no matter. Let them run wild a little longer."
Liam leaned forward. "And the Crystal Gang?"
Becker's tone shifted, sharper now. "From the top, the order has come down. Complete extermination."
Ralph's eyebrows shot up. "From the top?"
"That's right," Becker said, his red eyes gleaming behind the smoke. "To Not just us—every branch of the Ruling Syndicate in this city."
Ralph smirked. "Two birds with one arrow, huh?"
Becker's lips curved. "Exactly."
Liam tilted his head. "What birds? What arrow?"
Ralph sighed and grinned at him. "It means double fun for you, Liam."
Becker laughed softly, blowing smoke into the sky.