It was almost lunchtime when Emily Thompson finally put down the e-reader in his hand. He looked at Brian Brooks and suddenly asked, “What’s on the third line of the previous page?”

　　His voice was as gentle as jade, and when he spoke, it was as if one was suddenly transported into an antique tea room, listening to the earnest teachings of an elder.

　　“When order becomes chaos, one must use chaos to maintain order and save the law,” Brian Brooks replied, looking up.

　　Ethan Clark took the e-reader from Brian Brooks and flipped to the previous page. “Boss, that’s correct.”

　　At that moment, Brian Brooks suddenly saw the big cat on the table open its eyes. He could clearly feel that the way it looked at him was full of surprise.

　　It was as if... the cat had always been able to understand everyone’s conversations.

　　After hearing Ethan Clark’s confirmation, Emily Thompson turned and left. “Let’s go, it’s time to eat.”

　　For some reason, Brian Brooks always felt that even the way Emily Thompson walked had a unique aura. The fluttering white training robe seemed to make him walk on clouds.

Chapter 8: Shadow

　　How does one survive in this prison where steel beasts roam?

　　Brian Brooks couldn’t count on the mysterious John Miller, because he was afraid his replacement of the original’s identity would be exposed.

　　He couldn’t count on other fellow townsmen from the same time and space either, because they were in even worse shape than he was.

　　So, Brian Brooks calmly displayed his abilities to prove that he was a useful person.

　　Without a doubt, Emily Thompson was the most transcendent figure in this prison. What Brian Brooks was doing was risky, but it was also his best way out.

　　With his hands behind his back, Emily Thompson strolled away, with Ethan Clark and the big cat following beside him, while Olivia Harris had disappeared somewhere with a mischievous grin.

　　At lunch, Olivia Harris suddenly popped up from who knows where. He kicked off his shoes and squatted barefoot on the chair opposite Emily Thompson’s table.

　　The big cat glanced at him, and Ethan Clark frowned and said, “Show some respect in front of the boss.”

　　Olivia Harris rolled his eyes. “The boss hasn’t said anything, and you’re being way too strict, Aunt Ye.”

　　Emily Thompson smiled and said, “What did you find out?”

　　Olivia Harris said, “The records show he’s a high school student from City 18. His parents died in a car accident, he inherited some money, no criminal record, no relatives,” Olivia Harris said.

　　“He covered his tracks well. What’s his charge?” Emily Thompson asked.

　　“Theft. The file says he stole a liquid crystal phone, just enough to be prosecuted,” Olivia Harris said.

　　In just this short time, Olivia Harris had even read Brian Brooks’s file.

　　Emily Thompson mused, “How long was he sentenced?”

　　“Six months,” Olivia Harris replied.

　　“Go on,” Emily Thompson said with a smile.

　　“That John Miller just now made contact with the kid,” Olivia Harris said with a grin. “Since John Miller came in, he’s relied on his advanced mechanical limbs to suppress the local prison factions. In just a month, he’s created a three-way standoff with the other two groups. I was wondering if he was here to unify Prison 18. Only today did I realize, turns out John Miller was paving the way for this kid Brian Brooks.”

　　Emily Thompson suddenly said, “The Qing family might be choosing the next generation’s Shadow.”

　　Ethan Clark and Olivia Harris were both stunned. “The next generation’s Shadow? Brian Brooks is one of the candidates? So he came here with a mission.”

　　A huge consortium needs both a public face and a hidden hand.

　　The head of the Qing family is the public face; the Shadow is the hidden hand.

　　The Shadow specializes in dirty work, wields enormous power, and is the ruler of the Qing Group’s underworld. No one but the family head can control them.

　　However, the selection process for each generation’s Shadow is extremely brutal, like raising venomous insects.

　　“Looks like the Qing family is about to stir up trouble again,” Emily Thompson sighed.

　　As he spoke, a prisoner happened to walk by. From more than five meters away, Ethan Clark suddenly turned to look at him.

　　That prisoner, intimidated by the piercing gaze, instinctively turned and walked in another direction.

　　The three of them didn’t continue the topic. Olivia Harris changed the subject and asked, “Boss, even if he’s a Shadow candidate, there’s no need to make his background so clean, as if he has nothing to do with the Qing family.”

　　Emily Thompson said, “People from the Qing family are as clever as ghosts. Don’t bother guessing, just wait and see.”

　　As he spoke, Emily Thompson pulled the gray big cat on the table into his arms and gently rubbed its chin.

　　The big cat closed its eyes in comfort, lazily lying on Emily Thompson’s lap.

　　He said to Olivia Harris, “I’m even more interested in this Brian Brooks now. Go test his character.”

　　Olivia Harris was surprised. “Boss, you think highly of him? He’s not one of us!”

　　“I’m just asking you to test him, nothing more,” Emily Thompson laughed. “Besides, isn’t it more interesting to snatch someone from the Qing family?”

Chapter 9: Nightmare

　　Ethan Clark replied calmly, “Let’s get to the point. How do you plan to test that kid?”

　　Olivia Harris thought for a moment, then smiled meaningfully. “Let’s have him experience a nightmare first.”

　　Ethan Clark frowned. “Don’t go too far.”

　　“Don’t worry.”

　　At this moment, Brian Brooks also came to line up for lunch.