I Became Rich With My System

Chapter 5

Erwin’s eyes widened, he stumbled backward like a coward. His lips trembled as he stammered, “G-guards! What are you waiting for? Deal with him! Kill him!”

Four men in black uniforms stepped forward, their blades glinting under the dim light. They charged at me without hesitation, perhaps thinking I’d be an easy kill.

They couldn’t have been more wrong.

The first swung his sword at my head—I ducked, catching his wrist mid-air, and slammed my elbow into his jaw with enough force to send him crashing into the wall. The second guard lunged from behind, but I spun, driving my fist straight into his gut. He wheezed, folding like paper, before I kicked him hard in the chest. His body flew across the floor.

The third and fourth attacked at once—one from the left, one from the right. My blood thrummed, sharp and steady. I caught the left one by the collar, used his weight against him, and flung him into his comrade. They both tumbled onto the ground in a heap, groaning in pain.

Within seconds, the room fell silent. Every guard was writhing on the floor. None dared to rise again.

I dusted off my hands slowly, my eyes piercing into Erwin and Kane. They froze where they stood. Cowards.

“I’ll make this simple,” I said, my voice calm but dangerous. I pointed toward Mia, tied to the chair, her eyes wide with fear and hope. “I’m taking her with me. And if there’s anyone here who thinks otherwise…” I let my gaze sweep the room. “…step forward and challenge me now.”

No one moved. Not even Kane.

I strode over to Mia, my hands careful as I untied the ropes cutting into her wrists. She blinked rapidly, her lips parting in disbelief as she rose shakily to her feet. The moment she touched my arm, she leaned into me like her strength had finally given out. I steadied her instantly.

I looked back at Erwin one last time. “I’ll let this settle… for now. But if you ever try anything funny with Mia again—” I leaned forward, my voice a growl, “—I won’t hesitate to come back and kill you on the spot.”

Their silence was the sweetest answer.

With Mia by my side, I walked out of that cursed room. She glanced at me, astonishment written all over her face as though she couldn’t believe I was really there.

We stepped into the night, the cold air brushing against our skin. I never let go of her hand, and neither did she. Even as we walked down the street, people turned to look at us, but I didn’t care.

When we reached the terminal, though, my eyes fell on her clothes. Her blouse was still half-open, revealing more than it should. My jaw tightened.

“Mia,” I muttered, stopping us. She looked up at me curiously. I gestured at her chest. “Cover yourself. Button up.”

She glanced down and gasped softly, her cheeks flushing red. She caught me still looking at her—her gaze lingered on me, questioning, soft, unreadable. It was then I realized I was still holding her hand.

Damn it.

“I—sorry,” I said quickly, pulling my hand away. Her skin had been warm against mine, almost too natural. She didn’t reply, only looked at me a moment longer before turning away to fix her blouse.

After she was done buttoning up, she finally asked, “So… how are we going to get home?”

That’s when it hit me—I had stormed into that club without thinking twice. My wallet, my money… everything was still back at the house.

I scratched my head awkwardly. “Uh… I kind of forgot to bring my wallet.”

She blinked at me, her mouth falling open. “What? You mean to tell me… after all that—after storming in like some hero—you don’t even have money to get us back?”

Her shock made me want to laugh and groan at the same time.

Before I could explain, she turned, and started to walk ahead in frustration.

“Wait—Mia!” I rushed after her, catching her hand before she could move too fast. She stumbled slightly, and I steadied her. “Don’t rush like that. You might trip.”

She exhaled sharply but didn’t pull her hand away this time. Her voice lowered, softer. “There’s something I wanted to ask you, Kael…”

“What is it?”

Her eyes met mine, searching, almost vulnerable. “I keep wondering… how did you even find me? How did you know I was kidnapped?”

I took a slow step forward, wanting to explain to her.

But before the words could leave my mouth, a sharp crack split the air.

Bang!

The bullet tore into the spot I had been standing not even a heartbeat ago.

Mia screamed, her voice slicing through the night.

Sniper! I knew instantly.

“Shhh,” I hissed, my hand shooting up to cover her trembling lips. Her scream could be the difference between life and death right now. My pulse thundered in my ears as I grabbed her wrist and dragged her with me. We sprinted low, my eyes scanning for cover until I spotted the car park just ahead.

We dove behind one of the vehicles just as another bullet slammed into the metal nearby, the deafening clang echoing through the silence. Sparks flew. Mia was shaking, her breaths uneven, nearly choking on her panic.

“Keep quiet,” I whispered firmly, my body pressed close to hers to shield her. “You’ll bring him straight to us.”

Her wide, terrified eyes met mine. I could feel the tremor in her shoulders. For a moment, silence fell, broken only by the sound of distant traffic and my racing heartbeat. No more shots. Whoever was out there… they were waiting or probably scanning for us.

“Do you have anything on you?” I whispered, keeping my voice low, my eyes darting around for options.

She fumbled with her bag, her hands clumsy with fear, then pulled out a small compact glass mirror—the kind she used for her makeup touch-ups. She looked at me like she wasn’t sure if this would help.

“It’ll do,” I muttered, taking it gently from her hand.

I angled the glass carefully just enough to catch the faintest glimmers of movement without exposing myself. My breathing slowed as I searched, scanning the rooftops and shadows. The trick was to let the mirror catch what the naked eye couldn’t.

Then—there. A faint reflection. A gloved hand, steady, holding something long and deadly.

My chest tightened. Got you.

But just as the light bounced perfectly, illuminating the sniper’s hand, another shot rang out—this one faster, sharper.

The mirror exploded in my hand. Shards scattered against my knuckles, cutting them, as I instantly dropped the ruined glass to the ground. The impact stung, but I didn’t flinch. I could locate where the killer was hiding.

“Found you.”

“Mia,” I said, my voice low and sharp, forcing her to look at me. Her eyes were wide, her chest rising and falling too fast. “Listen carefully to what I’m about to say right now.”

She nodded, trembling.

“I think we’re being attacked by a sniper,” I continued, pointing quickly at the row of nearby houses. “See that building—twelve o’clock? That’s where he’s set up. The distance between us and the door is a death sentence if we run blindly. But if we time it right…” I let the words hang heavy.

She swallowed hard.

“We’ll have only a few seconds. If we don’t make it before the time runs out—” I paused, “—we might really lose our heads.”

Her hand clutched mine tighter.

“I’ll make the distraction first,” I whispered. “When I count, you don’t think—you run. Do you understand?”

Her lips parted. “Yes.”

I took a breath, my pulse syncing with the sound of silence. Then I whispered the count.

“Three… two… one—”

I shoved a loose piece of metal into the open, letting it clatter across the ground. The sniper fired instantly, the bullet sparking against the steel. That was the moment.

“Run!” I barked.

We sprinted. The night exploded around us, bullets tearing through air, hammering the walls we passed. One came so close I felt the wind of death brush against my ear. Mia stumbled but didn’t fall, her breath ragged as I pushed her forward.

We slammed into the doorway of the house, diving in just as another bullet shredded the wall where she had been a second ago. Debris and dust rained over us.

Mia collapsed against the floor, coughing hard, her chest heaving like she was about to choke on her own fear. Her wide eyes darted toward me. “Who… who were they?” she rasped. “It’s not possible… it can’t be Mr. Callas. And it can’t be the former mayor’s brother, or Kane, the club owner. So… who are they after? Me? Or… you?”

I put a finger to my lips. “Don’t speak. Not yet. Let me think.”

I pulled out my phone and dialed quickly.

Seraphina picked up the first ring. “Kael, have you found Miss Mia?”

“There’s a problem,” I said flatly. “She’s with me. But we’re being attacked by an unknown sniper squad right now. Location—” I gave her the address and pointed out the probable vantage point.

Her tone sharpened instantly. “Don’t worry. I’ll get it under control.”

The call was cut.

Mia stared at me, her voice shaky. “Who was that?”

I looked at her with respect, lowering my tone. “I was assigned me to keep Amanda Jone.”

She froze, her lips trembling. “H-How do you know that name?”

Her eyes narrowed, suspicion clashing with fear. “Was it… Miss Voss?”

I nodded slightly.

Her shoulders sagged, and she sank against the wall, her voice hollow. “I wasn’t allowed to bear that name outside. Amanda Jone… it doesn’t belong to me.”

“Why not?” I asked, frowning. “You’re a legitimate daughter. Why wouldn’t you?”

Her laughter was bitter, broken. “Legitimate? No. I was born out of wedlock, Kael. Every day in that villa was a horror. People like me… we’re never seen as equals. We’re shame, living, breathing shame. That’s why I hide. That’s why I live as Mia Clinton. Better a ghost than a stain on their pride.”

Her words cut deep.

I leaned forward, my voice steady, firm. “Listen to me. You don’t live for them. You don’t live to prove yourself to the world. If you let judgment bind you, you’ll never breathe. Wealth, power, bloodlines—none of that defines you. What matters is what you choose to be. Live for yourself, Amanda. Not for their scorn.”

Her eyes glistened as if she was about to reply—when gunfire echoed again outside.

Engines roared. A car screeched away.

I bolted out the door, Mia right behind me. The street was already empty, the car vanishing into the night. I cursed under my breath and sprinted toward the sniper’s perch.

The rooftop was deserted. No gunman. But the faint smear of blood stained the ground.

I crouched, inspecting it. “He was wounded.”

Mia finally caught up, her eyes wide as she looked at the blood, disbelief etched across her face. “Oh my God…”

I spotted the weapon left behind. My jaw tightened as I picked it up, recognizing the design instantly. *Government issue.*

This wasn’t just a random hit.

I was about to leave when Mia grabbed my sleeve. “Where are you going?”

Before I could answer, headlights cut through the street. A black car pulled up fast.

I stepped forward instinctively as the doors opened. Seraphina Voss stepped out, flanked by two guards.

“What’s going on?” she demanded.

I met her eyes coldly. “I think I know who is behind all this”