William Carter felt his throat go dry, the excitement from earlier instantly turning into an inexplicable fear. He didn’t know exactly what he was afraid of, but every word Mr. Reed spoke seemed to push him one step closer to the abyss.

“Charles was too clever! Before he died, most of the syndicate’s assets had already been transferred to his own name. Turning black money into legal assets is, of course, a good thing, but the problem is that these legal assets became completely private. And just when he was pressured into agreeing to distribute the assets fairly among the family members…” At this point, Mr. Reed sighed, “he was shot!”

William Carter’s palms were covered in cold sweat. “Father didn’t die of illness, he was assassinated!” He looked at Mr. Reed with anger in his eyes.

The Old Gentleman laughed again. “You don’t need to look at me like that! I can swear your father wasn’t killed by me, even though every family member present wanted to kill him. But that would have to wait until he coughed up those assets…”

“We can control the black money, but once these assets become legal, all of us must continue to maintain their legality! We have to find you, otherwise this huge fortune will fall into the hands of the government. You’re very lucky—if the paternity test showed you weren’t Charles Carter’s biological son, you definitely wouldn’t be alive today!” Mr. Reed tapped the table lightly with his finger, and Thomas Carter tossed a document in front of William Carter.

Mr. Reed said, “You have only one choice: sign this property transfer agreement and return what belongs to us!”

William Carter finally calmed down. He didn’t even glance at the property transfer agreement. “I won’t sign!” Mr. Reed burst out laughing. “If I remember correctly, you’re twenty this year, aren’t you? Why not cherish your life?”

William Carter shook his head. “If I sign this transfer, I’m afraid you’ll be even less likely to let me go!” Mr. Reed also shook his head. “Young man, you think too highly of yourself. I can guarantee that as long as you sign this authorization, I can ensure your personal safety in Taiwan!”

“Do you take me for a fool? What guarantee do you have? If you kill me now, you get nothing. But if I sign this transfer, I’ll have no value left for you to use!” William Carter’s attitude was exceptionally firm.

Mr. Reed waved his hand, and Thomas Carter threw a thick envelope in front of William Carter.

“Inside are some photos and discs from your mother’s past. If you don’t sign, I guarantee every newspaper article tomorrow morning will publish her scandals!” Thomas Carter said viciously.

William Carter’s face turned red. He didn’t know what kind of past his mother had, but from their expressions, he could already guess what was inside.

“Use your fortune to buy your mother’s reputation and your family’s lives. That’s a fair trade!” Mr. Reed threatened.

William Carter was hit right in his weak spot. Trembling, he picked up the pen and quickly signed his name on the transfer agreement.

Henry Bennett and several other lawyers appeared beside William Carter at just the right moment, witnessing everything that had just happened. Mr. Reed smiled and asked, “Gentlemen, is this document authentic and valid?” They all nodded in unison.

Thomas Carter curled his lips and walked over to William Carter, snatching the envelope back.

“Give it back to me!” William Carter was furious. Thomas Carter laughed, dumped the contents of the envelope onto the table, and William Carter’s gaze fixed on the tabletop. There were no photos or discs inside, only a few passports and identification documents.

Mr. Reed sighed again. “All’s fair in deception! I didn’t expect Charles Carter’s son to be so useless. These are your identification documents for living in Taiwan. Since I promised to guarantee your personal safety, I’ll make sure you stay in Taiwan forever.” He pulled a coin from his pocket and tossed it in front of William Carter. “Keep it well! Do you know what your damned father said when I, representing the syndicate, asked him to return the assets?”

“He actually threw me this coin and told me to use it for my retirement! Too bad… heh, I’m not as old as he thought. This coin is the only thing that truly belongs to you, the only inheritance your father left you!”

Chapter Five: [Running Wild in Taipei’s Midnight]

William Carter left Fengyu Garden without looking back, carrying the coin Mr. Reed had given him. When he first left, he truly felt angry and lost, but as he walked out the main gate of Fengyu Garden, his mood began to lighten. Maybe he really didn’t belong here. He thought of Beijing, of his mother, of Little Emily, and of those brothers who had shared hardship with him.

The sky gradually darkened. William Carter wandered aimlessly along the mountain road toward the city. A car drove by, its headlights flashing over his head and quickly fading away. Another car passed, its taillights casting two small red dots on his shadow, slowly receding into the distance.