Anthony gave a bitter smile: It seemed that truly nothing could be hidden from the all-pervasive Camilla! He looked at the Carnivore and said, “Yes, since Camilla already knows, what does it matter whether I confess or not?” The Carnivore, along with John Bennett, shook his head. “The High Judge is fair and impartial. If you confess, it means you acknowledge this fact. Camilla’s commandments apply equally to all!”

Anthony looked at the Carnivore John Bennett with some contempt. “Is that so? Fine, let’s say it is. But I’m only four hundred years old. I’m not like those guys who are so old they look like dried corpses, who even doubt whether they have any feelings left! I know I do! I love Ava Riley, and what’s wrong with having a child with the one I love? And you—yes, you’re one of their followers. Do you think you have love?” Facing Anthony’s questioning, John Bennett simply replied, “Please do not question the elders of the Council. By doing so, you are violating the first rule of the sixth commandment of the Six Great Commandments: ‘Do not defy your elders—that is a capital offense!’”

Anthony moved unconsciously toward the door. “Commandments! Camilla’s commandments only apply to people like us. I manage such a large company, earning hundreds of millions of dollars for Camilla every year. Without us, people like you, those elders, and the High Judges you speak of—would you be able to dress in finery and attend high-class events? We have contributed so much to Camilla, so why are we denied even this right?” Anthony grew more and more agitated. “We are not like those elders. We do business with humans, earn their money, and have integrated into human society. We have already been influenced by them. We want to have our own next generation. Why does this harsh and baseless commandment still exist? Can’t it be changed? Camilla is already too outdated—from its commandments to its institutions, and even the bloodlines within those institutions!”

“Silence!” John Bennett shouted angrily, and with a thunderous roar, the glass on Anthony’s desk shattered with a “ping!” “You have already seriously violated Camilla’s commandments. Such outrageous defiance and repeated offenses are unforgivable!” The hem of John Bennett’s coat swayed, and black spiderwebs slowly crept over the door behind him.

This “Spider Bind” was not a simple spell. Cast by the Carnivore, it was done effortlessly and without a trace. Through this magic, Anthony truly witnessed the Carnivore’s power. But for the sake of Ava Riley and their child, he had to risk everything. If he died, neither the child nor Ava Riley would be spared.

Anthony gave up on trying to break out through the door. Because of the “Spider Bind,” even if he broke free from the spell’s restraints, his speed would be greatly reduced, making it impossible to escape the Carnivore’s strike!

Anthony took his suit and gloves from the coat rack by the door. He glanced toward the window, where a full suit of medieval armor stood, the helmet fully enclosed. If he could grab the helmet, his whole body would be protected, and he wouldn’t have to fear the sun’s harm. He could make a surprise escape through the window—thirty-three stories up, which would be certain death for an ordinary person, but for a vampire, it wouldn’t be fatal.

Anthony put on his coat and donned his black leather gloves. Suddenly, he darted toward the door. Vampires might be the fastest creatures alive; in a flash of shadow, Anthony was already at the door, and John Bennett almost simultaneously dashed after him, leaving a trailing afterimage!

Anthony feinted toward the east but struck in the west. His hand didn’t touch the “Spider Bind” on the door; instead, he slammed his elbow into the wall beside the door, using the rebound to retreat even faster to the window. John Bennett was startled, and amid the sound of shattering glass behind him came Anthony’s long, loud laugh! From the thirty-third floor, a rain of glass cascaded down, sparkling in the bright sunlight.

“Bang!” Anthony crashed heavily onto the roof of a three-story building. The tremendous impact sent him smashing through the roof and a table inside, leaving a clear imprint on the floor!

The sudden turn of events left the two office workers in the room at a loss. Anthony coughed a few times, spat out a mouthful of purple blood, then looked up and bared his teeth in a grin at the two young white-collar workers—his teeth gleaming white, the gaps between them filled with blood! The two office workers shuddered, and Anthony slowly said, “Just in time for two supplements…”

Just as Anthony’s fangs were about to pierce one of their necks, a voice rang out: “Vampires never waste food. You are about to be executed and no longer need them!” Anthony turned around to see John Bennett, dressed in a gray-black woolen coat, standing silently behind him.

Anthony shouted fiercely, “Go to hell!” With a wave of his hand, he hurled a person weighing sixty or seventy kilograms at John Bennett. John Bennett quickly retreated, and Anthony followed close behind the flying man, suddenly darting out and clawing at John Bennett. John Bennett reached out with his left hand, grabbed his claw, and twisted hard. Anthony let out a miserable scream—his claw had already been broken!