Chapter 143: I don’t work for free mister

Don slowly raised the muzzle of his gun and aimed it at Gen.

"I knew you were trouble the moment I saw you," he said coldly. "Now get ready to die."

His finger tightened around the trigger.

Then, without lowering the weapon, he shifted its barrel toward Thomas and Paul.

"If any of you are involved in the boss’s death..." he growled, "...none of you are leaving this room alive."

Paul’s face instantly turned pale.

"Dude, you’ve got the wrong person!" he cried, raising both hands. "I don’t even know what’s going on here! I’m on your side. I was just the middleman!"

Thomas hurriedly nodded in agreement.

"He’s right!" he blurted. "You have to believe us. She’s the one who attacked Marco. We had nothing to do with it."

He pointed accusingly at Gen.

"She killed him!"

Gen remained silent.

Her face was expressionless as she stared back at Thomas.

Don narrowed his eyes, carefully observing the three of them.

His finger continued pressing against the trigger.

Just as he was about to fire, one of Marco’s men stepped forward.

"Don."

The man who had checked Marco’s pulse stopped beside him.

"We can’t kill them yet."

Don frowned. "What?"

The guard lowered his voice. "The boss needs to know what really happened first."

He glanced at the three captives before continuing.

"What if they’re connected to the woman we dealt with earlier? What if they didn’t come alone?"

Don’s expression grew darker. The man had a point.

Marco had already exposed one spy today. Now there were three more people standing over his dead body.

It could be a coincidence... or it could be part of a much bigger plan.

Don slowly lowered his gun.

"Fine." He looked toward one of his men. "You."

"Yes, Don."

"Go inform Boss Karlo about Marco’s death. Tell him exactly what happened."

The subordinate nodded immediately.

"Understood."

The moment he rushed out of the room, Don’s icy gaze returned to Gen.

"Until Boss arrives..." he said in a deadly calm voice, "...I’ll deal with these three myself."

Before anyone could react, several armed men stepped forward.

They grabbed Paul by both arms.

"H-Hey!" Paul shouted, struggling desperately. "Where are you taking me?"

No one answered.

"I swear I’m innocent!" he yelled in panic. "I don’t even know these people anymore! I was just delivering a message!"

His pleas fell on deaf ears.

Another pair of guards seized Thomas, forcing his hands behind his back.

"W-Wait! Listen to me!" Thomas protested, terror filling his voice. "You’ve got the wrong man!"

Finally, two men approached Gen.

Though weakened from her injuries, she didn’t resist as they roughly pulled her to her feet.

Without another word, the three captives were dragged out of the private room at gunpoint, disappearing into the long corridor while Marco’s lifeless body remained behind.

***

Meanwhile, Clara sat comfortably on the couch, surrounded by Karlo’s men after he had excused himself a few minutes earlier.

I clearly heard that man say someone died... but who?

She had been watching Karlo the moment one of his subordinates rushed in with the news. The expression on Karlo’s face had changed instantly before he hurried out, leaving her behind with his men.

Whatever happened has nothing to do with me. Right now, Thomas is my priority.

Clara already knew that Karlo ran countless illegal operations through the Crimson Crest. It wasn’t just a luxurious casino—it was the center of a vast underground empire where every dirty business imaginable was conducted.

Which was exactly why Thomas’s appearance here wasn’t a coincidence.

She was certain he had come to meet someone important. The only question was...

Who is backing him?

That mystery continued to bother her.

With a quiet sigh, Clara leaned back against the couch before stretching lazily.

I’m getting bored.

Her eyes wandered around the room.

I need to get out of here before someone ends up losing a hand.

Without wasting another second, she stood up and headed toward the door.

Before she could take another step, Luca blocked her path.

"What?" Clara asked flatly.

Luca remained expressionless.

"Boss ordered us to look after you. Until he returns, we can’t let you leave our sight."

Karlo had specifically instructed them not to allow Clara to wander off. After everything that had happened tonight, he wanted her exactly where he had left her.

So Luca had no intention of disobeying.

Clara blinked once before staring at him as though he had just said the most ridiculous thing imaginable.

"Excuse me?"

She pointed toward the door.

"Your boss is the one who walked out and abandoned me here. Now you’re telling me I can’t even leave because I’m getting tired of looking at all your serious faces?"

Not a single one of the men reacted.

They looked less like bodyguards and more like a row of emotionless statues.

Clara clicked her tongue.

"Honestly, are you people competing to see who can smile the least?"

Silence.

"Impressive."

Still nothing.

"Do your faces hurt if you laugh?"

One of the men almost twitched before quickly regaining his composure.

Clara sighed dramatically.

"This place is depressing."

Luca cleared his throat.

"Sorry, Miss Clarie. We can’t disobey Boss’s orders. You’ll have to wait until he returns."

Clara folded her arms across her chest.

"And what exactly do I get in return?"

Luca frowned slightly.

"...Pardon?"

"I’ve been using my brain all day." Clara rubbed her stomach. "Everything I ate before coming here has already been digested. My stomach is practically filing a missing person’s report."

A few guards exchanged awkward glances.

"I don’t work for free, Mister."

Just when can I finish this and go home?

She could already picture Butler James pacing around the mansion while wondering why she hadn’t returned yet.

Luca stared at her, momentarily unsure how to respond.

Then a thought crossed his mind.

This wasn’t an ordinary woman.

She was the first woman Karlo had shown genuine interest in.

Their boss had never gone out of his way for anyone before, yet tonight he had done everything possible to win her over.

If Karlo returned only to find Clara angry...

Luca silently prayed for his own survival.

His expression immediately softened.

"How may I help you, Madam?" he asked respectfully.

If pleasing Clarie meant avoiding Karlo’s wrath later, he’d gladly do it.

Clara slowly raised an eyebrow. "Anything?"

Luca nodded without hesitation.

"Yes anything."

She narrowed her eyes suspiciously, looking him up and down from head to toe.

The longer she examined him, the more uncomfortable Luca became.

Why is she looking at me like that...?

He suddenly felt as though he were the one being interrogated.

"I... yes," he answered again, trying to sound confident. "Anything within my capabilities."

The corners of Clara’s lips slowly curled upward.

That smile... it wasn’t sweet. Neither was it innocent.

It was the exact kind of smile someone wore before causing trouble.

Luca’s instincts immediately screamed at him to take back his words.

Unfortunately... it was already too late.

"Well..." Clara said cheerfully. "You asked for it."

She clasped her hands behind her back and tilted her head with an innocent smile that fooled absolutely no one.

"So don’t you dare take your words back, Mister..." She paused dramatically before looking at him expectantly. "...whoever-you-are."

Luca blinked. "My name is Luca."

"Oh." Clara nodded. "Nice to meet you, Mister Luca."

A brief silence followed. Then she smiled even wider.

"First, I want food."

Luca let out a quiet sigh of relief.

That’s all?

"I’ll have someone prepare—"

"And not casino food." His relief disappeared.

"I want proper food."

"..."

"Hot."

"..."

"Fresh."

"..."

"And if it’s delicious, I’ll consider staying."

Luca nodded slowly.

"I can arrange that."

"Oh, and dessert."

"...Of course."

"And tea."

"...Yes."

"And while we’re waiting..."

Clara glanced at the line of bodyguards standing stiffly around the room.

"...someone is going to play cards with me."

The room instantly fell silent.

Every guard froze. Several quietly lowered their heads, hoping they would become invisible.

Luca felt a headache coming.

Boss... Please come back quickly.

This lady is far more dangerous than any enemy we’ve ever faced.

***

While Luca was silently praying for Karlo’s quick return, his boss stood motionless before Marco’s lifeless body.

No one had expected the man who had served Karlo faithfully for years to lose his life from a single blow with a bottle.

To outsiders, Marco had been just another subordinate.

But to Karlo...

He had been a brother.

A man who had stood beside him through countless battles, never once questioning his orders. Seeing him lying in a pool of blood, his eyes forever closed, only fueled the rage burning inside Karlo.

The air around him grew colder.

Every man present lowered his head, afraid to utter another word.

After a long silence, Don finally stepped forward.

"Boss, we’ve captured everyone involved. Just give the order, and we’ll dispose of them."

His voice was calm, but the murderous intent behind his words was unmistakable.

Karlo remained silent.

His cold gaze never left Marco’s body.

Then, after what felt like an eternity, the corner of his lips slowly curled into a chilling smile.

"No..."

He finally spoke, his voice frighteningly calm.

"I’m not going to kill them."

Don frowned in confusion.

Instead of relief, Karlo’s words only made him more uneasy.

Karlo slowly turned around, his eyes glinting with dangerous amusement.

"I’d rather play with them first."

A sinister smile spread across his face.

"But before the game begins..."

"There is someone I want to join me."

Don’s brows knitted together. He had no idea who Karlo was referring to. However, the amused sparkle in his boss’s eyes made him realize one thing.

Whoever Karlo had in mind... the captives were about to experience a fate far worse than death.