Nichs felt his heart racing as Jasper''s words hit him like a shockwave.


    Back when Jameson was still in Kontina, he had already ensnared Nichs in his schemes. After years of working for him, Nichs had forgotten the man he once was-a conscientious, passionate individual Just then, a blur of motion caught their eyes-a de was aimed at Jasper from the side.


    "Watch out!" Nichs shouted, his eyes widening in fear.


    But Jasper reacted swiftly, seizing the attacker''s wrist and with a snap, breaking it. After disarming the attacker, he delivered a kick that sent thetter crashing into a nearby wall, bones audibly breaking. With each calcted move Jasper made, Nichs realized his initial impression was far off the mark. The polished, presumptuous president revealed surprising fighting prowess and a sharp mind. Nichs understood he barely knew Jasper. If a powerful patron hadn''t backed Jameson, he wouldn''t even be a blip on Jasper''s radar.


    The dark alley had be a brutal battleground.


    Jasper, a charming fa?ade masking a ruthless efficiency, moved with a deadly grace. Even though an individual''s strength was limited, their danger seemed insignificant before him. One by one, they fell beneath his relentless assault.


    Nichs and Jasper stood back-to-back, bloodied but resolute as they readied themselves for the onught.


    Jasper''s face was streaked with blood, a chilling contrast to his fine features and bespoke suit.


    "As I''ve said, Chief Novak," Jasper''s voice cut through the chaos like ice. "Jameson never intended for you to be an ally, merely a pawn. He''s been plotting your demise from the very beginning, nning to crush you like a spent cartridge once you''re of no use."


    Nichs gritted his teeth, his voiceced with raw frustration. "You''ll never get it! You can''t understand what this means to me!" He clutched his throbbing arm, sweat beading his forehead despite the chills coursing through him.


    "Joining forces with us is your only way out," Jasper insisted, his gaze unwavering.


    "Way out?" Nichs let out a humorlessugh. "Is there even a way out for me anymore? Maybe I can cheat death today, but can I outrun it forever?"


    Jasper frowned and said nothing. Even if they took down Jameson together, Nichs would likely face legal repercussions for his actions.


    Intent on killing them, the assassins charged at them once again.


    The leader of the assassins, ever the opportunist, saw a chance to im credit. Amidst the chaos surrounding Jasper, he made a treacherous move. With a swift, ruthless motion, he targeted the weakened Nichs, his de shing in the air as it aimed for the vulnerable man''s head.


    But in a surprising disy of strength, Nichs mmed the leader to the ground and stepped on his chest.


    In pain, the leader cried out and spat out a mouthful of blood.


    Despite his weakened state, Nichs had proven himself a tough fighter. His eyes zed with a feral intensity as he raised his screwdriver high in the air, poised to strike a fatal blow.


    In that moment, with bloodlust in his eyes, Nichs resembled the very assassins he fought against.


    "No! Stop!" Jasper roared, lunging forward to grab Nichs'' hand. "We don''t kill! That''s the line we don''t cross!"N?velDrama.Org owns this text.


    "What other choice do we have? Let them finish us off?" Nichs rasped, his voice hoarse with strain.


    "If it were self-defense, I wouldn''t


    have stopped you. But that wasn''t what happened!" Jasper''s eyes were sharp, cutting through his words. "You were afraid he''d say something incriminating if he got caught. You wanted to silence him!"


    Nichs was stunned. Yet, he still fought to drive the screwdriver in his hand into the leader''s chest. If it weren''t for Jasper''s firm grip, he would have already finished him. Just then, the wail of approaching sirens filled the air.


    The remaining assassinsy broken on the ground, their bodies testament to the brutal fight. Two, in a desperate bid for escape, attempted to flee, only to be tackled and subdued by the police upon their quick arrival.


    "Jasper!"


    "Mr. Beckett!"


    Cyrus and Xavier raced toward Jasper, their eyes widening in horror at the sight of fresh blood smeared across him. Panic surged through them.


    "Mr. Beckett! A-Are you hurt?" Xavier stammered, his voice trembling. He hovered helplessly, on the verge of tears.


    "I called the ambnce. They''ll be here soon. Hold on, Jasper!" Despite his experience with chaotic situations, Cyrus couldn''t help but turn pale. Jasper wiped the blood on his cheek with the back of his hand. "I''m okay. This isn''t mine."


    Relief washed over Xavier. "Oh my goodness, thank heavens! Thank God!" He sped his hands together, muttering prayers repeatedly. Cyrus exhaled deeply. "I don''t know what I''d tell Alyssa if something happened to you!"


    "That won''t happen," Jasper assured them, his voice firm despite the situation. "I promised Lyse I''d protect her forever. Nothing will happen to me."


    The apprehended assassins were loaded into police cars. The weapons at the scene were confiscated as well.


    Cyrus led a pair of officers to Nichs. "Chief Novak," he began respectfully. "Once the ambnce arrives, please see to your injuries first."


    "The hospital can wait. I need to be with my wife right now," Nichs insisted, his voice weak but his eyes burning with determination. "She''s in the emergency room, and her condition is critical. I have to get to


    her!" ?


    "There''s no need," Jasper interjected calmly, approaching Nichs. "Your wife is safe. They said she was in the emergency room, but it was a ruse."


    Nichs was stunned. "What? But how? The one who called "


    "You know exactly who has that kind of power and why this happened," Jasper said pointedly.


    It was a setup by Jameson.


    Nichs had no children, and his


    parents had died early. His only weakness was his wife. Jameson, aware of this, had manipted Natalie''s doctor. Fabricating a story about Natalie''s critical condition, he lured Nichs away from the police station, intending to eliminate him discreetly. It was a sinister and


    cunning move.


    Thankfully, Jasper intervened in time. He also had Xavier call Cyrus for backup. Otherwise, Nichs wouldn''t be standing here.


    "My wound is minor. I can manage. I have something else to take care of, so I''ll take my leave."


    Nichs, his head hung low, turned to leave. Cyrus stopped him, his gaze somber. "Since you''re refusing the hospital, Chief Novak,e back to the station with me. We have medics who can stitch you up."