At Evercrest.
Jacob Adams paced back and forth in front of a large house. Worry was written all over his face as his eyes repeatedly moved between the tall gate before him and the empty street behind him.
Every few seconds, he would glance at the house, then over his shoulder again, as though expecting danger to appear from either direction.
"Should I enter?" he muttered anxiously to himself. "What if that man beats me? What if he really kills me?"
A heavy sigh escaped his lips.
The house standing before him was not an ordinary house. It was the headquarters of the Black Scorpion gang, a place that most people avoided even mentioning. Yet today, Jacob had no choice but to come.
Until now, he had failed to find any trace of his daughter.
After that night, despite all the promises he had made, he still had nothing useful to tell Boss Juan. Every excuse he had used before was running out, and he knew the gangster boss was quickly losing patience.
Jacob continued pacing near the gate, desperately trying to think of another reason to delay things.
Maybe he could tell Juan that Sienna had left the country.
Maybe he could claim she had changed her identity.
But none of those excuses would work. He knew very well that Boss Juan was not a fool.
After several more seconds had passed, Jacob finally forced himself to walk toward the gate. His trembling hand slowly reached for the doorbell.
However, just before his finger touched it, his courage disappeared again. His hand froze in midair.
But then—
"Jacob Adams?"
A deep voice suddenly came from behind him.
Jacob nearly jumped out of his skin. He hurriedly turned around and found himself staring at a huge bald man standing a few steps away—Marco.
Marco was Boss Juan's right-hand man. The sight of him alone was enough to make Jacob nervous.
"Why are you still here?" Marco asked, narrowing his eyes.
Jacob quickly forced a smile.
"I just arrived."
The lie came out naturally. In reality, he had been standing outside for nearly ten minutes, too afraid to enter.
Marco looked at him for a moment before motioning toward the gate.
"Come in. The boss is already waiting for you."
The simple sentence made Jacob's stomach twist. Still, he followed Marco inside.
The farther they walked into the property, the heavier Jacob's chest felt. The place was quiet, but that silence only made it more intimidating. Several men stood guard around the area, and each of them looked dangerous.
Soon, Marco led him into the main living room.
Jacob immediately saw Juan sitting comfortably on a single sofa.
The gangster boss leaned back casually, one arm resting against the armrest while a cigar burned slowly between his fingers. His posture looked relaxed, but the sharpness in his eyes told a completely different story.
"B-Boss..." Jacob greeted nervously, lowering his head.
Juan stared at him for several long seconds. The silence alone felt like punishment.
Finally, Juan lifted his hand.
"Sit."
"Yes, sir."
Jacob quickly sat down on the sofa opposite him.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Juan took a slow drag from his cigar before exhaling a cloud of smoke into the air.
"My people have already searched several areas in the capital," Juan finally said. His voice was calm, but there was something dangerous hidden beneath it. "Yet they still haven't found any trace of Sienna. Are you sure she was living there?"
"Yes." Jacob nodded quickly. "Sienna once told her aunt she lived in the capital. We just didn't know the address."
Juan's expression darkened immediately.
"Jacob," he said coldly, "you already told me that."
The room seemed to grow colder.
"I want another clue before I waste more money sending people out to search for her."
Jacob swallowed nervously.
"But Boss, I—"
Juan raised his hand.
Instantly, Jacob fell silent.
"Think carefully." Juan leaned forward slightly. "Where did she work? Who were her friends? What kind of company hired her? Give me something useful."
Jacob lowered his head.
For the first time, he realized how little he actually knew about his own daughter. He searched his memories desperately, but every memory felt distant and incomplete.
A painful feeling settled in his chest. Perhaps he really had neglected Sienna all these years.
After several moments of silence, Jacob finally looked up.
"After graduation, Sienna worked at a hotel in Star City."
Juan immediately focused on him.
Jacob continued, "I don't know which company she works for now, but I believe she's still working in the hotel industry."
"You're telling me this now?"
"I'm sorry, Boss Juan... I forgot."
Juan laughed. Then he slowly stood from his seat.
The movement alone was enough to make Jacob tense.
"You forgot the most useful clue you've ever given me?"
"Boss, I—"
"Do you know how many people I've sent searching for your daughter?"
Juan's voice remained calm, but that calmness was somehow far more frightening than shouting.
"Do you know how much money I've spent?"
Jacob couldn't answer.
Juan stepped closer and continued, "Because of your debt, Jacob, I have shown you more patience than anyone else."
Jacob lowered his head immediately. Sweat gathered on his forehead.
Then, suddenly, Juan stopped. A smile slowly appeared on his face. Unfortunately, that smile only made him look more dangerous.
"Boss... you'll find her, right?" Jacob asked hopefully.
Juan chuckled.
"Well, Jacob, I can't promise you that."
The hope immediately disappeared from Jacob's face.
Juan's gaze turned icy.
"But there is something you need to do."
Jacob waited nervously.
"Pray."
Jacob frowned in confusion.
"W-What?"
"You heard me." Juan took another drag from his cigar. "Pray that my people find Sienna."
"And if they don't?" Jacob asked weakly.
Juan smiled.
"If they don't..." He paused briefly. "Your house becomes mine."
Jacob shot to his feet.
"WHAT?!"
"Why do you look surprised?" Juan asked casually. "You already knew that was part of our agreement."
"But that house isn't entirely mine. My siblings also own—"
"I don't care."
Juan's voice instantly cut him off.
"I don't want to hear about your siblings."
Jacob immediately shut his mouth.
"You'd better go home and start talking to them," Juan said, pointing toward the door.
...
After Jacob left the room, Juan returned to his seat quietly.
A few moments later, Marco approached.
"Boss, anything you need me to do?"
Juan remained silent for several seconds while smoking his cigar.
Then he finally spoke.
"Send your best people back to the capital."
Marco straightened immediately.
"Start investigating hotels. One by one."
Marco's eyes widened.
"Boss, there are thousands of hotels in the capital."
"Then send more people." Juan's voice left no room for argument. "Start with the star-rated hotels. She's educated and experienced. I doubt she'd settle for a small place."
Marco nodded.
"Understood. I'll arrange it immediately."
Juan waved his hand dismissively.
Marco was about to leave when curiosity crossed his mind, "Boss?"
Juan looked up.
"Why are you so obsessed with finding Sienna?" Marco asked carefully. "There are plenty of women who would gladly warm your bed."
Instead of answering, Juan simply smirked. His eyes drifted toward the window beside him.
'Sienna Adams.'
The name echoed through his mind.
'Wherever you're hiding, I will find you.'
The smirk on his lips deepened.
'You will be mine.'