Abby

"How much?"

Red asked hoarsely. He wanted the thing too badly.

GH-325 cost fifty thousand at the Weapon Shop, but one hundred thousand from Gemini.

If its negative effects could be removed, the Weapon Shop could never have sold it so cheaply. After all, it was something that could bring the dead back to life.

Red bought three doses, for a total of three hundred thousand Pounds Sterling. Payment came first, then delivery.

Just like that, Gemini's savings of sixty thousand Pounds Sterling became two hundred and ten thousand.

Watching Red solemnly tuck the three vials into his coat, Gemini's expression turned a little strange. "Honestly, the effects of this stuff sound downright unbelievable. Aren't you afraid I'm scamming you?"

"We both know one thing," Red said seriously. "As long as you wanted to, you could take me out at any time, or force a confession out of me and squeeze every last bit of my wealth from me."

"But you didn't. Maybe it's because you're too young and not ruthless enough, or maybe because you have strong principles."

Red explained, "But one thing is certain: you wouldn't give up a long-term partnership over this little bit of money. And as the boss of a family, I can offer you plenty of help. After all, at eleven or twelve, there are many things you probably can't conveniently handle in person. Otherwise, you wouldn't have gone to such lengths to take down my brothers."

Talking to smart people was always so comfortable.

There was no need to prattle on about righteousness and morality, things that cost nothing. All they needed to do was uphold their own principles.

They only needed to recognize two things—what benefits did this bring them, and what harm did it bring them?

Most of the time, those two points were enough. As for people who constantly preached righteousness and morality, talked to you about dreams while you were trying to make money, and told you unpaid overtime was a blessing—you should stay far away from them.

Those people had always been the least righteous and the least moral of all!

"Pleasure doing business with you, sir." Gemini held out his hand.

"Pleasure doing business with you."

The large hand clasped the small one, and they shook firmly.

"How should I contact you if I need anything later?" Red asked.

"If you trust me, please give me your home address. One of my employees will visit you tomorrow. I'll have to trouble you to take care of her food and lodging in the meantime." Gemini smiled gently.

Red considered it for a moment before giving Gemini the address.

He was not too worried. For one thing, his home was in an upscale neighborhood with reliable security, and the Vipers only concerned themselves with their own little territory, so they had few enemies.

Besides, with Gemini's skills, none of his men could stop him. If Gemini had truly set his sights on him, there was no need to go through the trouble of bothering his family.

At least based on their interactions so far, Gemini seemed like an easygoing boy, not someone difficult to approach.

And given his young age, perhaps there would be a chance to invite him over someday.

What Red did not understand, however, was why Gemini's employee had to come personally—and why Red had to provide food and lodging.

That confusion did not last long. He understood soon enough.

The next day...

The disturbance from the night before was suppressed by Red early that morning. He strictly forbade his men from discussing it any further. After talking with several family officers for a while, Red drove home.

He planned to spend the next two days properly accompanying his family. What had happened the night before still felt unreal. If not for the two large cases and the three vials in his pocket, Red might have suspected he had suffered some bizarre nightmare.

"What's wrong, dear? You don't look like you're in very good spirits."

His wife, Sally, keenly noticed Red's mood and asked as she prepared lunch.

Red had already changed into loose pajamas. At her words, he rubbed his temples. "Something happened last night. Even now, it still feels unbelievable. I don't know how to explain it. If I tell you the truth, you'll definitely think I've gone crazy."

"You hid your identity when you married me, then told me afterward that you were a family boss. I didn't think you were crazy then. Honestly, I felt more like I was the crazy one."

Sally smiled and shrugged carelessly. If Red did not want to talk about it, she would not press him. They had been married for years; they had that much understanding between them.

"No, this time is different." Red gave a bitter laugh. "I feel like my entire worldview has been overturned. Would you believe an eleven-year-old boy took down every one of my men at the club by himself?"

Sally hesitated for a few seconds. "I know a very good doctor."

"I knew you wouldn't believe me."

"Dad!!!"

Their daughter Salina's excited scream came from outside. Red turned toward the sound and saw his precious daughter rushing into the house, clutching a black owl in her arms.

Red was about to say something when his gaze suddenly fell on the owl's claws. Those tiny talons were holding an envelope.

"Look, this owl was sitting by the door just now. You probably won't believe this, but it came to deliver a letter. Look, there's a letter on it, and it's for you."

Salina's lovely face was full of excitement, as if she had discovered something incredible.

"Hmm? An owl delivering letters? That sounds interesting. Is this some new prank of yours?" Sally said with a smile as she flipped the pancakes in the pan. "I suggest you let it go, sweetheart. An owl isn't a cat. It's a bird of prey."

"No, it's not a prank. Give it to me, Salina..."

Red reached over and took the owl from his daughter's arms. The owl blinked its large eyes at Red and gave a soft hoot.

Red's home address was written on the back of the envelope, while the recipient's name read, "Red Black." Inside was a note.

"It's called Abby.

Please take responsibility for its food and lodging.

I'll be staying in London until September.

The address is Charing Cross Road, The Leaky Cauldron.

After September, the address will be Hogwarts.

Don't think about coming to find me.

You won't be able to find me anyway.

Give the letter to it, and it can find me.

P.S. It's a very arrogant bird.

If you want to win it over,

I hear dead rats are its favorite.

—Gemini Fox"

Red stared at the note in his hand, his face full of disbelief.

"What a mysterious person..."

"Gemini Fox? Who's that?" Salina stretched out her little head and asked curiously.

"A very scary... strange... unbelievable person, I suppose?" Red changed his adjective twice, but neither felt quite right.

"Well, our family has a new member now. Be careful, Salina. Don't let it peck you."

Noticing his daughter teasing Abby, Red hurriedly warned her.

"Wait." Sally planted her hands on her hips and glared at her husband. "Why are we suddenly keeping a large bird of prey in the house?"

Red spread his hands helplessly. It looked like he would have to explain everything from beginning to end.