Hidden Blade

Chapter 10: Silent Retribution

Through the gap, Rex noticed the familiar van that had been tailing him earlier, pulling into the driveway of Building Six. But he wasn’t alone. Additional figures were slipping into position, their movements precise and deliberate, suggesting coordination.

The corners of his mouth curled into a wry grin.

“Well, this is going to be fun,”

he muttered to himself, his voice a mix of anticipation and mischief.

Today wasn’t going to end quietly. It was going to be chaos—this kind of chaos.

The luxury estate’s property management team arrived promptly, their efficiency befitting the prestigious reputation of the neighborhood. A technician, tool bag in hand, walked up to the door of Building Six and knocked politely.

“Hello? Maintenance here. We’ve received a report about water damage.”

Silence greeted him from within. The technician tried again, his voice louder this time. Still, no response. After a few moments, he leaned toward the intercom by the door and spoke, hoping to get someone’s attention.

“I’ll note this as unresolved,” he muttered to himself, frustrated, before turning on his heel and leaving.

No sooner had the technician disappeared around the corner than Rex steadied his aim through the gap in the curtains. His finger tightened on the trigger.

Bang!

The silenced rifle spoke in a muted but deadly whisper. The bullet pierced the front door of Building Six, creating a jagged hole. Rex’s sharp eyes caught the faint movement through the newly made opening— his body crumpled to the floor, blood pooling rapidly.

“Fourth on the assassin leaderboard,” Rex remarked under his breath, almost amused. “Didn’t even get a line of dialogue.”

He reached for his phone and dialed swiftly. “Leonard,” he said.Send a cleanup crew to Dragon Bay. Building Six in Area A. Make it spotless.”

“Understood,” came the calm reply.

Rex hung up and let out a small exhale, satisfied. But before he could turn his attention back to his rifle, the door behind him flew open with a bang.

Olivia stormed in, her face flushed with anger, her damp hair cascading wildly over her shoulders. She was wearing a semi-sheer purple nightgown that clung to her figure, and despite her fury, she cut an undeniably striking image.

“You lunatic cab driver!” she shouted, pointing an accusing finger at him. “What gives you the right to start shooting from my house?”

Rex leaned back against the window, lighting a cigarette with deliberate calm. His eyes flicked over her, a small smirk tugging at the corners of his lips.

“Your house?” he said, exhaling a thin stream of smoke. “I’m pretty sure it’s mine.”

"Of course it's my house! " Whose else would it be?"

Olivia retorted sharply, her voice edged with indignation.

Rex remained unbothered, leaning slightly against the window frame. "What if it’s actually mine?" he replied nonchalantly, a playful smirk tugging at his lips.

Olivia let out a derisive snort.

"You? Owning this house? Have you seen yourself? Do you even know how much this place costs? 170 million dollars! "

" You’re just a cab driver.

" Let’s say you make ten thousand a month—do you know how many lifetimes it would take you to afford this house without eating or drinking?"

Rex grinned lazily and jumped in, finishing his calculation, "Fourteen thousand six hundred and sixty-seven years."

Olivia glared at him, her cheeks puffing in frustration. "Who asked you to do the math? It’s not like I can’t figure it out myself!" She huffed.

"Listen, cabbie. Do you even understand the difference between us? Let me warn you—stay away from our family. Don’t think I don’t know what’s going on in that head of yours. Looking to sponge off us? Just look at yourself—do you think you’re worthy?"

Rex raised an eyebrow at her, the teasing grin never leaving his face.

"That’s a pretty bold claim. I’d like to know what makes you think I’m the kind of man who’d live off someone else."

Olivia placed her hands on her hips, her stance defiant. "Oh really? Then what else are you doing here? I’m telling you—"

She was cut off as Rex’s smirk turned into a mock-serious expression. "And what if you’re wrong?" he interrupted with a playful edge, leaning closer and daring her to respond.

Just as Olivia finished her sentence, Rex lunged forward with lightning speed, tackling her to the ground in a single swift motion.

Pinned beneath him, Olivia’s eyes widened in shock as her soft, warm frame, barely covered by her sheer nightgown, pressed against his firm grip.

“Ahhh!” she screamed, her voice echoing through the room. “You lunatic! Get off me, you…!”

Before she could finish her protest, a sharp, deafening bang filled the air.

A painting hanging on the wall shattered into fragments, the frame falling to the floor in pieces, revealing a clean bullet hole that had pierced through it.

Olivia froze, her face drained of color. "Wha—what’s going on?" she stammered, her voice trembling.

Without a word, Rex rolled them both to the side, clutching her tightly as they tumbled into the bedroom. His movements were calculated, shielding her as another thud echoed nearby, a second bullet embedding itself in the wall where they had just been.

“Stay down!” Rex barked, his tone leaving no room for argument. Olivia’s breath hitched, her body shaking in fear as she clung to him for dear life.