The next morning, the buzzing of the punch clock in the West District sales department had just ceased.

  Michael was slumped over his desk, the images from last night still flickering in his mind—the dim yellow light, the little girl blushing as she leaned into his embrace, her hair brushing against his neck, her soft breaths carrying the scent of mixed-grain noodles.

  "Mike."

  A clear, crisp voice sounded beside his ear, tinged with the softness of a just-woken morning.

  Michael looked up and met Mia's bright, sparkling eyes.

  She wore a faded, washed-out work skirt, her twin ponytails swaying slightly, and a faint blush still colored her cheeks.

  The moment their eyes met, their ears flushed red in unison.

  The lingering sweetness and intimacy of the previous night, like honey-soaked candy, melted sweetly in their hearts.

  "Manager Chen wants to see you in her office. You need to go now."

  Mia's voice was gentle.

  She handed him a cup of warm water, her fingertips accidentally brushing the back of his hand before quickly pulling away.

  Michael took the cup.

  The warmth from her fingers made his heart skip a beat.

  He smiled and ruffled her hair.

  "I know, thanks, Mia."

  Mia smiled, her lips pressed together, her eyes curving into two crescent moons.

  She watched him turn and walk towards the perpetually closed private office before bouncing back to her own workstation.

  The door hinge gave a low, dull creak, shutting out the noise from outside.

  Elena sat behind the desk, her fingertips lightly tapping a yellowed file folder.

  When she looked up, her gaze held an unyielding coldness.

  "Tonight at eight, the underground of the abandoned freight station in the 'No Man's Land' alley in the West District. Go pick up the goods. Remember, I've already paid, don't get scammed."

  Michael's brows instantly furrowed.

  Without a second thought, he shook his head. "I don't want to go."

  He knew all too well what kind of place that was.

  While this world was ruled by the major corporations, the 'No Man's Land' alley was a gray area beyond corporate control, where gangs held sway.

  Shootouts and robberies were commonplace.

  Even the official field operatives of 'Vine' didn't dare venture in lightly.

  For a salesman who had just been transferred here, going there was like a lamb walking into a lion's den.

  "That's gang territory. It's too dangerous." Michael's tone was firm. "You can send the security team or the field operations unit. I'm just a salesman. I can't handle this kind of life-threatening work."

  Elena slowly stood up, walking towards him step by step in her high heels.

  Her black uniform outlined her tall, cold, and striking figure, an intimidating presence radiating from her.

  She leaned in slightly, her gaze like a knife dipped in ice, stabbing straight into Michael's eyes.

  "Michael, you are in no position to bargain with me."

  Her voice was low, laced with a deadly threat:

  "You illegally merged with a company's confidential bioweapon without authorization.

  You're no longer an ordinary person now.

  If I submit a report to the Research Department, your fate will be to be locked up and studied. Indefinitely."

  Michael's face paled instantly, his fists clenching tightly at his sides.

  This was his most feared weakness, the deadly leverage Elena held over him.

  But Elena's next words shattered his last line of defense.

  She tilted her head, her gaze passing through the blinds, landing on Mia, who was outside, lowering her head to organize documents.

  Her voice was as light as a feather, yet venomous:

  "If you don't go, I won't just report your anomaly... I'll deal with Mia immediately."

  "Her position, her job, everything she has in the West District—it all exists because I allowed it. I can let her stay, and I can make her leave."

  Michael jerked his head up, anger churning in his eyes. "You can't touch her."

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  "I can." Elena's tone was calm, leaving no room for argument. "Go. Do as I say. Tonight. Go alone. And you'll both be safe."

  "Don't go... and face the consequences."

  Michael clenched his fists so tight they trembled, the vine mark on his chest burning faintly.

  He looked into Elena's icy eyes and knew he had no room for resistance.

  "...I understand."

  He ground the words out between his teeth.

  Elena gave a slight nod and retreated to her seat.

  "The location and details will be given to you before you leave work. Remember, go alone. Don't tell anyone."

  Michael said nothing more, turned, and pushed the door open.

  Outside, seeing his ashen face, Mia immediately put down the documents in her hands and ran over, her voice full of concern.

  "Mike, what's wrong? Did Manager Chen give you a hard time?"

  Michael looked at her innocent, worried face, and a pang of sourness twisted in his heart.

  He reached out, gently ruffled her hair, hiding all the danger and struggle beneath a smile.

  "It's nothing. She just gave me some work to do." He paused, then added, "I have a field assignment tonight. You'll have to go back by yourself."

  Although Mia seemed a bit puzzled, she nodded obediently.

  "Okay, then be careful, and come back soon."

  Michael hummed in agreement, his gaze sinking towards the gradually brightening sky outside the window.

  Meanwhile, inside the office, Elena watched his retreating figure, her fingertips tapping the desk lightly, a cold glint flashing in her eyes, unnoticed by anyone.

  ......

  Night, like a thick black cloth, had draped itself over the city early.

  In the 'No Man's Land' alley in the West District, even the faintest hint of light was a stingy commodity.

  The sheet-metal sign at the alley entrance was covered in rust, squeaking and creaking in the wind.

  The alley reeked of a pungent mix of engine oil, rust, and cheap alcohol.

  The pothole-ridden road was littered with broken glass and discarded machine parts.

  Most of the buildings on either side were dilapidated; only a few makeshift shacks of sheet metal and wooden planks revealed the faint glow of campfires.

  Michael tightened his worn leather jacket, pulling the brim of his cap low.

  Following the marks on the note, he strode quickly through the chaotic alleyways, heading straight for the abandoned freight station deep within.

  It was even more chaotic than he had imagined.

  Gang members with bizarre tattoos were everywhere in the alley—some leaning against walls smoking, others gathered in small groups gambling.

  Their gazes, wolf-like and predatory, scanned every passerby.

  Sensing that Michael bore no gang insignia, several pairs of unfriendly eyes immediately latched onto him.

  "Hey, kid, where you from?"

  A burly man with a mohawk was the first to block his path, twirling a rusted steel pipe.

  Three equally menacing lackeys stood behind him.

  The cuffs of their sleeves were embroidered with a black skull—the emblem of the "Black Bones Gang," the most powerful force in the 'No Man's Land' alley.

  Michael's steps halted. His expression remained blank. "Just passing through."

  "Passing through?" The mohawked man grinned as if he'd heard a joke, revealing a mouthful of yellowed teeth. "In the 'No Man's Land' alley, nothing's that easy. Either pay the toll, or... leave something behind."

  His eyes swept over Michael's body, finally settling on his wrist. "How about that hand?"

  No sooner had the words left his mouth than the mohawked man swung the steel pipe, bringing it down hard towards Michael's wrist.

  The pipe whistled through the air.

  But Michael didn't even dodge. He simply raised his hand and firmly caught the other end of the pipe.

  The smile on the mohawked man's face instantly froze.

  He tried to yank the pipe back, but it was as if the steel had been welded into Michael's grip—it didn't move an inch.