But in his drugged-out state, the man couldn’t perceive the danger he was in. All he saw was a woman—one he thought he could intimidate. A sneer twisted his lips. “You bitch! You think you can talk back to me? I’ll teach you a lesson!” He swung his fist at her.

However, Katelyn caught his wrist mid-air and tightened her grip.

A sharp crack of bone echoed through the alley, followed by the man’s agonized scream. “Ouch! Let go of me!”

Katelyn’s gaze flicked toward the shadows, where several onlookers recoiled in fear. She could sense their apprehension.

This place was dangerously close to the T Organization’s territory. Drawing attention here was a risk she couldn’t afford. If she caused too much of a scene, she might be discovered before even reaching her target.

With practiced efficiency, she twisted the man’s arm behind his back and pinned him in place. “Try anything again, and I’ll dislocate your arm,” her voice was ice-cold.

The man shuddered. Pain seared through his wrist, and her unyielding grip left him trembling. “I’m sorry! I was wrong! Please, let me go!”

Fear sobered him up just enough to realize one thing—she wasn’t bluffing.

Katelyn studied him for a moment, then released him without another word. Without hesitation, she pressed forward, quickening her pace. Lingering here any longer would only invite more trouble.

Jaxen had just returned from the restroom when he heard the faint commotion through his earpiece. Frowning, he asked, “Something happen?” His fingers flew over the keyboard, pulling up surveillance feeds of Katelyn’s location.

Katelyn kept walking, her tone even. “Nothing serious. Just an addict.” Still, she glanced over her shoulder to confirm the man wasn’t following her.

g?ν.0′ ?

Jaxen, however, wasn’t so easily reassured. While tracking Katelyn, he also ran a quick check on the man’s identity and movements.

Katelyn kept walking. Meanwhile, the slum residents who had witnessed the scene silently made way for her. Their earlier curiosity had turned to caution. She had proven she wasn’t someone to be trifled with, and they wanted no part in whatever trouble she might bring. Katelyn actually found this refreshing. With Jaxen monitoring the area through surveillance, she felt more at ease.

She checked her navigation. The address Jaxen had provided required her to cross nearly the entire slum. As she moved deeper in, the surroundings grew even darker.

Jaxen’s voice crackled in her ear, tense. “Katelyn, there are fewer cameras in this area. Be careful. If anything feels off, retreat immediately.”

Some areas had no surveillance coverage at all, leaving blind spots in his monitoring.

Katelyn scanned her surroundings before replying, “Got it.”

Oddly enough, the deeper she ventured, the more the environment improved. The muddy paths gradually gave way to concrete roads. Sunlight filtered through gaps in the buildings, casting patches of light on the ground. It felt like stepping out of the abyss.

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