In the dimly lit room, Bradley's brow furrowed as Shadow delivered the latest news.

"The celebration ended early, supposedly due to Lance Fenton falling ill." Shadow reported, his voice low and grave.

Bradley's eyes narrowed with concern. "What seems to be the issue?"

"It appears he, like yourself, has been poisoned. Lance Fenton is conducting a thorough investigation into the matter. Word has it that he's summoned the event company responsible for tonight's event and is scrutinizing surveillance footage for clues."

"And any leads?" Bradley inquired sharply.

"The waiter implicated in the incident was not dispatched by the event company." Lance Fenton is still unravelling his identity.

Bradley's grip tightened on the edge of the bed. "Replay the surveillance footage."

Shadow mentioned that Juliette had interacted with a waiter at the banquet. Could it be her?

With a nod, Shadow swiftly accessed the video feed. Bradley focused intently on the screen, fast-forwarding to the encounter with the waiter.

"Is this the individual seen with Juliet?" Bradley questioned, his gaze piercing.

Shadow shook his head. "Negative."

Though the distance was a challenge, Shadow had discerned a distinguishing scar on the man's left hand. However, the person in the footage displayed unblemished palms, ruling him out as the culprit.

"Maintain surveillance on Juliet and report any developments immediately. Also, pay a visit to Walter Keating's residence."

Acknowledging the directives, Shadow withdrew.

At Keating's mansion, tension crackled in the air as Walter Keating lay in bed, nursing his injuries. His wife, Yannis, stormed in, her rage palpable.

"What's the commotion about?" Walter snapped.

Yannis's voice dripped with scorn. "Commotion? You, unable to rein in your desires, went to provoke Bradley's woman. Now, even our daughter suffers for your recklessness!"

Yannis rushed over, hammering and hitting him relentlessly, causing Walter to cry out in pain.

"Get lost, you crazy woman! I want a divorce!" he shouted.

"Fine, go ahead and divorce me. With you like this, there's no happiness in following you anyway." Yannis retorted, thrusting the prepared divorce agreement towards him. "Sign it."

Walter, enduring the pain, glanced at the agreement and was infuriated to the point of explosion.

Property, shares — all to be divided equally. This woman was trying to bleed him dry.

"If you want shares, don't even think about it." Walter snapped, tearing the agreement to shreds without hesitation.

As their argument escalated, a servant interrupted with news of a visitor seeking for Walter. Impatiently, Walter instructed Yannis to answer the door.

With a glare, Yannis descended the stairs to answer the door.

"Hey handsome, who are you?"

It was Shadow, whose stoic demeanour remained unfazed by her attempts at flirtation.

Shadow cut to the chase. "Where is Walter Keating?"

Unperturbed, Yannis continued her seductive facade. "He's upstairs, awaiting his demise. Handsome, care for some tea?"

Unmoved, Shadow bypassed her and ascended the staircase.

"You didn't even get permission before coming upstairs. Have you had no manners?" Yannis adjusted her collar and followed him upstairs, swaying her hips.

In Walter's chamber, the tension was palpable. His apprehension peaked as Shadow strode in, causing him to fumble his soup bowl.

"You... What do you want?" Walter stammered, his fear evident.

Shadow's demeanour remained impassive as he inquired about Walter's recovery, eliciting a shaky response.

"Fine, very well. Thank you... for your concern." said Walter, his voice trembling.

He hadn't forgotten this person, who had ruined him.

Quick and ruthless, and the worst part was the expression on his face remained unchanged throughout the ordeal. It was too unsettling.

"Since you're fine, care to address last night's affair?" Shadow's voice turned cold, his gaze piercing.

Since childhood, Shadow had undergone rigorous training, coupled with accompanying Bradley on countless battlefields, he exuded a terrifying aura that made people tremble at the mere mention of his name. Accustomed to the cycle of life and death, he had long grown accustomed to it, never easily revealing his emotions, not even in front of Bradley, always maintaining the same expression.

My family line has been severed. Please spare me. pleaded Walter, his body drenched in cold sweat. The thing he regretted most in his life was provoking Bradley's woman.

"I won't kill you, but I have a few questions for you."

"Please ask, I'll tell you everything I know, as long as you spare my life." Walter begged desperately. The thing he regretted most in his life was to provoke Bradley's woman.

"At the ceremony, did you instruct someone to drug Mr. Austin and Mr. Fenton's drinks?"

"I didn't... Argh!"

Before he could finish his sentence, Shadow kicked him in the stomach, causing Walter to cry out in pain.

"Did you or didn't you?" Shadow repeated his question, his voice even colder.

Walter's confession came in a rush, punctuated by agonized cries as Shadow pressed for details.

As the interrogation unfolded, Shadow's deductions hinted at a deeper conspiracy, prompting him to depart in search of further leads.

After Walter was taken down, Lola and Diana were promptly expelled from the capital, leaving them with no opportunity to take action. This meant that there were other individuals involved...

"Do you know this woman?" Shadow placed a photograph in front of him.

Walter widened his eyes, shaking his head. "I don't know her."

With such a beautiful woman, he would definitely recognize her at first glance if he had seen her before.

Shadow could tell that Walter was not lying. It seemed they needed to focus their attention on Lola and Diana.

Without lingering further, Shadow turned and left.

...

Lola and Diana found themselves stranded in a dense forest after being expelled from the capital. The night wind rustled through the trees, filling the surroundings with eerie sounds. Occasionally, the howls of wolves echoed in the distance, frightening the two women into huddling together.

"Lola, I might die because of you. If it weren't for you, would I end up in such a predicament?" Diana pushed Lola away forcefully, her eyes filled with hatred.

"What do you mean I'm responsible? All of this is because of Freya. If you want to hate someone, hate her," Lola clenched her fists tightly.

Freya had caused her mother to be imprisoned, led to Bruce Lawson's tragic death, and now forced her into such dire straits.

Blame and resentment filled the air as their accusatory exchange echoed through the night.

Suddenly, a glimmer of hope appeared—a distant light flashing ahead.

As long as a car passed by, they could escape from this eerie place.

The two dashed quickly toward the direction of the light.

But fate had a cruel twist in store as a speeding vehicle careened towards them, sealing their tragic fate in a single, deafening impact.

As Shadow arrived on the scene, he was met with the grim aftermath, a harrowing testament to the unfolding tragedy.

With a heavy heart, he dialled Bradley's number, delivering the sombre news—a chilling reminder of the dangers lurking in the shadows.