"There's only one shot at this, Charlie. Are you sure you want to go alone?"
"Let me come with you!"
Rob spoke through the earpiece, questioning Charlie.
"No. If Steve can't see you, he'll show some restraint."
"I'll pretend to trade gold for Slater, getting as close to him as possible."
"Left Ear strapped explosives to me. Once I'm near him, Steve's nature will make him think twice."
"It's the only plan I've got right now."
Playboy Rob's face darkened. "Charlie, what if you can't control Steve?"
"Have you thought about that possibility?"
Charlie was an international thief; he had some moves.
But he still fell short against Steve.
After all, Steve had served in the army for years and done a stint as a mercenary.
Let's face it—Charlie wasn't his equal in skill.
In sheer ruthlessness Rob didn't think Charlie stood a chance.
"I know."
Charlie answered calmly. "That's exactly why Steve will come out to meet me, and security won't give me too hard a time."
"He'll figure I might be armed, but he's confident he can put me down easily—that's my opening."
"You're rolling the dice, Charlie," Lyle's voice cut in.
"Lyle's right. If you lose, you could lose your life."
Left Ear made one last plea.
Charlie smiled, gazing at the brightly lit villa ahead.
"I owe John my life, and now Slater's in danger because of me."
"So if I can get her back,"
"giving my own life for hers is nothing."
The comms channel fell silent.
After a moment Rob said, "Left Ear and I will be ready to pull you out. Don't lose your earpiece."
"Got it."
Charlie ended the brief call; his hands on the wheel trembled slightly.
But the thought of Slater, captured inside because of him, steeled his resolve.
He started the engine.
After rolling forward a short distance he flicked on the headlights and headed for the villa's main gate.
"Here we go."
Up in a tree, Hunter held his breath.
He gripped the sniper laika crossbow, ready to loose a bolt at any second.
"Halt!"
The Security Personnel outside Steve's villa spotted the approaching vehicle.
One guard rested a hand on his holstered pistol and waved while moving toward Charlie's car.
Charlie slowed, rolled down the window, and called out, "Tell Steve I've brought what he wants."
As the guard stepped closer, Charlie rolled the window back up.
In the nearby guard booth, another security officer drew his pistol.
They grabbed their radios and alerted the villa.
After more than two hours of waiting, the impatient Steve brightened when the call came through.
His face twisted into a vicious grin.
"Charlie, you finally showed."
He snatched the radio, switched channels, and barked to his men, "Target's here. Get ready."
Then he turned to the anxious, tense Slater.
Giving her a cruel smile, he clapped his hands.
Two henchmen with assault rifles stepped in.
"Watch her. If anyone tries to bust in and take her, kill them."
Steve's recruited help were no angels.
Upon hearing this, the two nodded without hesitation and walked into the restaurant, each choosing a corner to hide in.
Steve smiled with satisfaction, then picked up an AK and a walkie-talkie from the dining table and headed outside.
From the main gate of his villa to the villa itself, there was a distance of thirty to forty meters.
On the open ground in front of the villa, several modified bulletproof SUVs were parked.
Steve got into one, while several others boarded another.
The two vehicles, carrying six or seven people, charged toward the main gate.
Hunter saw all of this through the scope of his sniper laika crossbow.
His heart filled with joy, knowing that the opportunity he had been waiting for was about to arrive.
The two bulletproof SUVs quickly arrived at the main gate.
Steve got out of the car inside the villa grounds and looked at the vehicle being blocked outside by two Security Personnel.
It was an ordinary Volkswagen sedan, clearly too small to hold two safes.
However, Steve's gaze instinctively flicked toward the car's tires.
Upon discovering that the car had sunk significantly, indicating it was carrying at least a ton of weight, a smile finally appeared on his face.
"Charlie, you've impressed me once again."
Steve muttered to himself through the stainless steel bars of the main gate.
He didn't step out of the villa because, within his own property, he could shoot Charlie dead without having to take responsibility.
He then picked up the walkie-talkie and said to the Security Personnel, "Open the gate and let him in."
"Yes, sir!"
The two Security Personnel lowered their guns but remained alert, keeping a close eye on Charlie's car.
The villa gate was soon opened, and Charlie was Driving the car slowly inside.
Steve got out of the car and stood beside the SUV.
Most of his body was protected by the vehicle.
If he encountered any danger, he could immediately hide behind the car.
Charlie drove the car and, under the shouts of several of Steve's armed men, stopped seven or eight meters away from them.
"Get out of the car!"
Two of Steve's men approached with guns raised, constantly urging Charlie inside the car to step out.
After Charlie stopped the car, he obediently opened the door.
Just as he stepped out, two of Steve's men immediately approached to forcibly frisk him.
At the same time, another subordinate went to inspect the car.
"Long time no see, Steve."
"As you know, I never use weapons."
Charlie took slow, leisurely steps forward, attempting to get closer to Steve.
Unfortunately, his intention was far too obvious.
Steve immediately realized something was wrong and remained standing where he was.
"Search him thoroughly!"
He shouted to his two subordinates while looking at Charlie triumphantly.
"You indeed used to be that way, but the night before last, Playboy Rob killed two of my dogs."
It was clear that until now, Steve still believed...
...that the person who broke into his villa the night before last and successfully escaped after being discovered...
...was none other than Playboy Rob from Charlie's team, who was skilled in Driving and combat, and possessed a strong heart.
Charlie didn't know why Steve had such a suspicion.
By this time, Steve's two men had already reached his upper body.
And they discovered that he had something on him.
The expressions of the two men changed instantly, and they immediately grabbed at Charlie's body, intending to pull it out.
Riiip!
Charlie suddenly tore off his coat and shouted loudly, "Nobody move! I have a bomb on me, powerful enough to turn everything within a dozen meters into ashes!"
Steve looked over and indeed saw a ring of what looked like explosives strapped to Charlie's body.
His face changed instantly, and he quickly ducked behind the bulletproof SUV.
His subordinates were also startled in that instant and retreated several steps.
Seeing this, Charlie continued loudly, "Steve, these are explosives configured by Left Ear. You should know his skills."
"I've brought all of your Gold Bricks to you."
"They're in the trunk of the car. Release Slater."
"Let me take her away, and our grievances will be settled once and for all!"
"Otherwise, if I detonate this bomb, it will definitely attract the attention of the police and even the FBI, and things won't end well for you either."
The smile on Steve's face had completely vanished.
When he saw Charlie come in alone, he had actually made some guesses.
He just hadn't expected Charlie to be so ruthless.
To dare to strap a bomb to himself and then come to threaten him.
Steve hesitated for only a moment before preparing to agree first, get his property back, and then look for an opportunity for revenge.
But just as he was about to reply to Charlie...
Suddenly, a faint whistling sound came through the air.
In the next moment, everyone saw a flash of electricity, followed by a sudden darkness.
The power was out!
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