At home, David Carter brought Steven Clark back. The moment the latter saw Jack Linton, he felt as if his lifelong rival had appeared—his long-held throne as “handsome, elegant, dashing, and charming” might no longer be secure.

Since there is Yu, why must there be Liang!

For a moment, Steven Clark was filled with mixed emotions, as if time had leapt a thousand years. He finally understood his famous predecessor: since Heaven had already created him, Young Master Clark, why send down another village bumpkin?

Jack Linton took a closer look at Steven Clark and realized that, while they looked similar, there were still some differences in their features. Suddenly, he frowned and asked, “Steve Clark, how old are you this year?”

“Eigh...teen…”

“Really? You look so old—forget eighteen, I’d believe thirty-eight!”

“Ah…”

Steven Clark forced a smile, rolling his eyes in frustration. He thought to himself that after tonight’s humiliation, he’d definitely get back at David Carter tomorrow.

“You brat, always talking nonsense. Steve Clark may have rough skin and a few more wrinkles, but there’s no way he looks thirty-eight!”

At the crucial moment, David Carter stepped in to help Steven Clark out, pushing Jack Linton aside. “Let’s go out to eat. Steve Clark still has homework to do, don’t bother him.”

“That’s not it, Uncle David. We need to get to the bottom of this.”

Jack Linton turned and pointed at Steven Clark, who responded with a youthful eighteen-year-old’s smile, making it even more amusing. “Look at him, grinning like a fool… Did he get beaten up at school or something?”

“Shut up and get going.”

“Uncle David, it’s too suspicious for a relative to suddenly show up like this. I’m worried someone’s trying to scam you.”

“I’m happy to be scammed! What are you going to do about it?”

With that, David Carter made the final decision, pushing Jack Linton out the door. He then turned to Steven Clark with an apologetic smile. “Officer Clark, thanks for your help. Dinner’s on me tonight.”

Jack Linton kept up the act, and neither of them realized they’d already been exposed.

“Enough talking, I haven’t eaten all day. Where’s the food?”

“Second shelf in the kitchen cabinet, eggs are in the fridge. Help yourself, I’m heading out.”

“……”

……

At a hotpot restaurant by the street, Jack Linton and David Carter were enjoying a hearty meal. The latter had also arranged to meet a friend.

“Uncle David, who did you invite? They’re really making us wait.”

“None of your business. Once you’re done eating, go straight home. Don’t wander around, and absolutely don’t talk to any strange women, got it?”

“What about you…”

“Why do you care? I’m just going to take a stroll and see if anyone tries to chat me up!”

With that, David Carter ignored Jack Linton. Once he was sure he’d left, he met up with Old Walker at the next table.

Old Walker, Officer Walker, was below average in looks, with a sharp mouth and monkey-like cheeks—a typical small-time citizen. Like David Carter, he’d spent years undercover at the bottom of society.

The two had graduated from the police academy together, shared a classroom, carried guns side by side, and…

In short, all their other classmates were gone; only the two of them were still alive, so their friendship was exceptionally strong.

David Carter had invited Old Walker out simply to catch up over a meal after a long time apart.

But as they chatted, they realized the cases they were working on both pointed to the same person.

Franklin Grant!

This man was ruthless and would stop at nothing to achieve his goals. He controlled several local venues, had many underlings, and had always been a key target for the police.

Old Walker was after Franklin Grant because his business was expanding rapidly. Recently, he’d become even bolder, dissatisfied with the profits from laundry detergent, and had connected with a group of foreign buyers, preparing to enter the international arms market.

This was unacceptable, so the police immediately launched an operation, carefully planning a sting to take him down in one sweep.

On David Carter’s side, Franklin Grant had recruited a few student lackeys from Edinburgh Middle School, collecting protection money daily. The missing police gun was very likely in his hands.

The two discussed their cases over dinner, agreed to share information, and ended the meal on a pleasant note.

Neither of them noticed that the very Franklin Grant they were talking about was in the restaurant, watching Old Walker coldly with his underlings.

……

“Hey, Jack Brooks, why are you still here?”

David Carter, chewing on a toothpick, walked to the door and found Jack Linton hadn’t gone home yet. He immediately grew annoyed. “I told you to go home early, but here you are loitering on the street. Tell me, are you up to no good?”

“No, I just wanted to see what kind of friend Uncle David has. Tsk, nothing special—I thought it’d be a woman.”

“You brat, you blocked me just for that?”

“I didn’t block you, but your friend got blocked…”

Jack Linton nodded toward the restaurant. “Looks like trouble’s brewing inside. If you want to save him, you’d better hurry!”

Hearing this, David Carter quickly turned around. When he saw what was happening inside, his face went pale. Franklin Grant and his men had surrounded Old Walker, trying to drag him away by force.

“Damn!”

David Carter realized Old Walker might have been exposed. With Franklin Grant’s ruthlessness, Old Walker was probably doomed today.

Even if he survived, judging by the situation, Old Walker would be lucky to escape with his life.

David Carter didn’t dare gamble with Old Walker’s life. He rushed into the restaurant, blocking their way before Old Walker could be taken away.

Jack Linton didn’t intervene. Anyone who’d seen “Fight Back to School” knew that David Carter’s old friend, after his undercover identity was exposed, was silenced by Franklin Grant.