Chapter 68: Best Actor [2]

The heir of the Riina family had been attacked in Nova City, a place where the World Government was supposed to maintain order. If the incident became public knowledge, people would inevitably question the government’s ability to protect even the most influential figures within its territory.

And if the Riina family decided to make an issue of it, the consequences could be far-reaching.

However, Lorenzo wasn’t paying much attention to Marcus’s reaction.

Instead, he was staring at Enzo.

’Enzo really is the best actor I’ve ever seen.’

After all, Enzo had been sent by the World Government to spy on Lorenzo, monitor his activities, and report everything back to his superiors.

Yet here he was, criticizing the very organization he secretly served.

His performance was so convincing that Lorenzo might have believed his anger was genuine if he hadn’t already known the truth.

He’s deliberately using this opportunity to distract me and make himself appear even more trustworthy. A brilliant move indeed.

Still, regardless of Enzo’s motives, his criticism was entirely justified.

The World Government had failed to prevent the assassination attempt, and its officers were now standing around the wreckage, struggling to determine what had happened.

If the victim had been an ordinary Awakener, perhaps the matter would have received little attention beyond the initial investigation.

Unfortunately for the assassins, their target was Lorenzo Riina.

And unfortunately for the World Government, Lorenzo was the son of Aldric Riina.

Even if the government wanted to ignore the incident, the Riina family wouldn’t allow it.

Lorenzo finally turned his attention back to Marcus.

"Well, Master Marcus, I hope you understand our position. We’ll investigate this matter ourselves, but if your people discover anything useful, feel free to contact us."

Marcus sighed.

"I understand. I’ll personally ensure that our investigation proceeds as smoothly as possible."

"Wonderful."

Lorenzo smiled as though they had just concluded a pleasant business meeting.

"Then I’ll leave the rest to you."

He turned toward Enzo.

"Let’s go."

"Understood, Young Master."

Enzo immediately moved to arrange their departure.

However, before Lorenzo could take another step, Marcus spoke again.

"One more thing, Lorenzo."

"Hmm?"

Marcus hesitated for a moment before asking, "You killed several of the attackers yourself, didn’t you?"

Lorenzo raised an eyebrow.

"Is that a problem?"

"No. I’m simply curious."

Marcus studied the young man standing before him.

He remembered their previous encounter during the terrorist attack at the Appetite of Heaven. Back then, Lorenzo had already demonstrated a disturbing level of ruthlessness, particularly when dealing with the terrorist leader.

But this time, the circumstances were different.

Lorenzo was officially an E- rank Awakener.

Yet he had survived an ambush involving multiple opponents of higher ranks, including a D- rank Awakener, while his personal secretary was occupied fighting an A- rank Master.

That alone was remarkable.

More importantly, Lorenzo had killed his opponents without hesitation.

Marcus couldn’t help wondering how much of the young man’s apparent weakness was genuine.

Lorenzo smiled innocently.

"I was simply protecting myself. Surely you wouldn’t expect me to stand still and let them kill me?"

"Of course not."

"Then there’s no problem, right?"

Marcus fell silent.

This boy is trouble.

He had reached that conclusion two weeks ago, and nothing that had happened since had changed his mind.

If anything, Lorenzo had become even more troublesome.

"Take care of your injuries," Marcus finally said. "And please inform us immediately if you discover anything about the people behind this attack."

"Naturally."

Lorenzo waved casually before walking away.

Sofia followed him, maintaining a small distance between them.

As they approached the waiting vehicle, Lorenzo glanced at her.

"You’re awfully quiet."

"Do you want me to talk?"

"Not particularly. I was just making an observation."

"Then stop observing me."

Lorenzo chuckled.

There she was again.

His fiancée had returned to her usual hostile attitude, as though the two of them hadn’t just fought for their lives together.

Strangely enough, he found it reassuring.

At least she wasn’t avoiding him anymore.

Of course, he knew perfectly well that her hostility wasn’t something he could simply laugh away. He had given her more than enough reasons to hate him.

He couldn’t expect a single shared battle to erase everything he had done to her.

But knowing that didn’t make him any less desperate to change things between them.

For now, however, he had more pressing matters to attend to.

Like finding out who was after his head.

Marcus Scout stood beside the wreckage, watching the black vehicle disappear into the distance.

His expression was grim.

He had a bad feeling about this incident.

The attack itself was already serious enough, but the implications were far more troubling.

Someone had dared to target the heir of the Riina family in Nova City.

And if Aldric Riina decided that the World Government had failed to protect his son, the consequences could extend far beyond a single assassination attempt.

---

Marcus took out his communication device.

"Connect me to Captain Elena Ward."

A moment later, the call connected.

"Marcus? What happened?"

He looked at the destroyed sedan and the bloodstained street.

"There’s been another assassination attempt involving Lorenzo Riina."

Silence followed.

Then Elena’s voice came through, suddenly colder.

"Tell me everything."

Marcus exhaled.

’This is going to be a long night.’

----

Sofia was exhausted beyond words.

All she wanted was to return to her dormitory at the academy, take a shower, and sleep. After everything that had happened that evening, she could barely summon the energy to remain standing.

She had hoped Lorenzo would allow her to return to the academy, especially after they had both nearly lost their lives.

But he had stayed true to his word.

Within the next forty minutes, she found herself standing in the same bedroom where Lorenzo had raped her.

The moment she recognized the room, her body stiffened.

She didn’t want to be there.

Every part of her wanted to turn around and leave, but she knew better than to believe Lorenzo would simply let her go because she asked.

Once again, her wishes meant nothing.

It felt as though no matter how hard she struggled, her circumstances would never change. The chains binding her were invisible, yet she could feel their weight with every breath she took.

And Lorenzo held the other end.

For a moment, despair threatened to overwhelm her.

Then Sofia clenched her fists.

’Not now. But one day, for sure.’

She refused to let herself be consumed by helplessness.

She might not have the strength to escape him yet, but that didn’t mean she would remain powerless forever.

If Lorenzo tried to do anything to her tonight, she would fight back.

And if he forced her into another situation like before, she would kill him.

She glanced at the bedroom door, then slowly turned her attention back to Lorenzo, who was drunk.

As soon as they reach Riina family residence, Lorenzo drink alcohol to remove the stress from his long day and after that they went to his room.

There was no one else in the room.

No witnesses. No one to intervene.

But this time, she wouldn’t simply accept whatever he decided to do to her.

She had already endured enough.

’If you try to do anything to me again, Lorenzo Riina, I’ll kill you myself.’

For now, she had to endure.

But one day, she would break free from the chains he had placed around her life.