Before the break of dawn, James‘ men threw Isaac into a pitch–dark abandoned factory.


    Bound and immobilized, Isaac couldn’t move an inch. James sat across him, the dim lights of the


    factory flickering ominously, signaling danger and mystery.


    “Mmm! Mmm!”


    Isaac tried to speak, but the tape over his mouth made it impossible.


    James signaled Colt, who then stepped forward and ripped the tape off Isaac’s mouth.


    “Help! Somebody help me!” Isaac’s cries for help echoed through the empty space, but there was no


    response.


    Colt reminded him coldly, “We’re in the outskirts, in the dead of night. No one wille to save you,


    and no one can hear you scream.”


    “What do you want from me! James, I’ve helped you! How can you turn your back on me now!”


    James had no interest in Isaac’s ranting. Colt proceeded to take Isaac’s phone, unlocked it with his


    face, and handed it over to James.


    As James browsed through the photos in the gallery, his expression turned colder. Eventually, he


    switched on a nearby grinder and threw the phone inside. The grinder roared to life, its diesel engine


    sounding menacing in the silent factory.


    Without further ado, Jamesmanded, “Throw him in.”


    “Yes, Mr. Burke.”N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.


    Isaac heard James‘ order and was petrified. “James! You’ve gone mad! You’remitting murder! The


    CEO of Burke International is resorting to murder!”


    James‘ gaze was icy cold. It had been a long while since hest dealt with someone personally.


    How could a young man like Isaac understand the filth and hidden battles that Devonport was full of.


    Colt lifted Isaac effortlessly, then nced at James, asking, “Now, Mr. Burke?”


    “Now.”


    As Colt prepared to release the rope, apuse broke the silence.


    James turned to see Colby striding in, followed by his well–trained former subordinates. He hadn’t


    expected Colby to find them so quickly.


    James narrowed his eyes dangerously. “Colby, are you here to stop me?”


    “Isaac is still useful. Sophie said no killing.”


    James‘ voice wasced with cruelty. “A traitor like him is useless. He’s better off dead.”


    “Sophie said you can’t kill him.”


    As soon as Colby spoke, his men surrounded James, exerting a palpable pressure.


    Colt was quickly subdued, and the grinder turned off.


    Isaac had wet himself with fear. He clung to Colby’s legs once he was put down, crying out in despair,


    “Save me! Please, help me!”


    Colby frowned and kicked Isaac away without a shred of mercy. His men pinned Isaac to the ground.


    James remarked calmly, “Seems I can’t touch him today. Until next time then, Colby.”


    Colby made way, allowing James and Colt to leave the abandoned factory.


    Isaac, relieved to have survived, pleaded, “Please, take me back! I need to go back!”


    Colby raised an eyebrow, his tone mocking. “Sophie said you couldn’t be killed, but she didn’t say you


    couldn’t be beaten.”