Chapter 10: The Bale Family

"Please! I was wrong! Have mercy! I'll apologize, pay you, even get on my knees and beg!" Harley, deathly pale from blood loss, pleaded with every bit of strength she had left. "What good is an apology? I want you dead!" With a crazed look in her eyes, Mavis Carroll screamed and raised her dagger, stabbing it down at Harley again and again. Thud! Thud! Thud!  The blade kept plunging. She stabbed Harley dozens of times without stopping. The blade flashed coldly, now soaked in blood. Harley was left a bloody mess, blood gushing everywhere, and she died on the spot. "Mavis, I know I shouldn't have tortured you! I was wrong! I'll get on my knees! Please, don't kill me! I have a wife and kids!" Jaden was so terrified he shook all over, and even pissed himself. "Screw you!" Mavis glared at Jaden like a madwoman, then threw herself at him, stabbing his face, throat, and chest over and over. These monsters had tortured her for three whole years. Every day was pure hell. All of Mavis's pent-up rage exploded at once. She kept stabbing him relentlessly for over ten minutes. By the end, the dagger in her hand was bent and warped. Jaden writhed in agony, convulsing and mumbling nonsense, until finally his body went stiff. Mavis dropped the dagger and broke down, sobbing uncontrollably. She threw herself into Carlos's arms, sobbing her heart out. "Carlos, you didn't disappoint me! I waited three years, always believing you were still alive!" Only after killing Jaden did Mavis feel that everything happening was real. She held Carlos tightly, her tears flowing uncontrollably. Her heart felt like it was being ripped apart. Carlos was overwhelmed with guilt. "There's still Evie Winston, Jaden's sister! She was the worst. When we find her, I want to kill her myself!" Just hearing Evie's name made Mavis's eyes go cold and fierce. Carlos clenched his fists so hard his knuckles cracked. "Don't worry. I'll make sure you get your revenge on Evie!" Carlos scooped up his sister and walked straight out of the Jaunce Military Department. News spread like wildfire that night. That evening, news broke of a bloodbath at the wedding of the Mason and Johanson families and the massacre of the Jaunce Military Department leader along with nearly a thousand subordinates, causing an uproar in Jaunce. Both bloodbaths were the work of Carlos Carroll. That night, hardly anyone in Jaunce could sleep. After all, the forces that split up the Carroll family's assets made up more than half the city. These big shots were utterly shocked. How did Carlos, who supposedly drowned, come back alive? And how did he become so formidable? In a single day, he eliminated the heads of two prominent families and killed the military leader. Many families and martial arts factions began using all their connections to investigate Carlos. Their ultimate goal was clear: Carlos must be eliminated. After all, Carlos's sole purpose was revenge. Otherwise, not only would the benefits gained be taken back, but their lives might also be at stake. As these bloody incidents unfolded, the Solvenica officials in Jaunce quickly dispatched people to investigate. After all, the killing of a military leader was a significant matter. ... Nala found a secluded place to wait anxiously for Carlos's return. In her view, Carlos was bound to get into trouble confronting Jaden. Thinking of this, she retrieved an iron box containing a grenade she had purchased through special channels for self-defense. She bought the grenade solely for protection. "If anyone dares to harm my man, I'll perish with Jaden! If I can't be with Carlos in life, I'll share a grave with him in death!" Nala clenched the grenade, gritting her teeth. "A shared grave? There's plenty of time for that. Why rush?" Carlos suddenly appeared at the door. "You're alive, Carlos!" Nala was incredulous, tears of joy streaming down her face. Seeing Carlos covered in blood, she instantly understood that he had engaged in a bloody battle with Jaden. "Who... is this?" Seeing Carlos holding a scarred person, she asked curiously. "This is Mavis." Carlos gently caressed Mavis, his heart breaking. Nala was utterly shocked, having thought Mavis had been blown to bits, only to find her alive. "Give her a bath." Carlos carried his sister into the bathroom, instructing Nala. Then he stepped out and closed the door. Mavis's body was covered in wounds, her arms festering in several places, and her legs were severely injured and untreated, with one leg already necrotic. Carlos had treated her external injuries, but to fully restore her, he needed a particular herb.  Even with his medical skills, he couldn't work without materials. Moreover, Mavis required excellent medical care for a swift recovery. "Nala, which hospital is the best in Jaunce right now?" Carlos asked. Nala replied, "Bale Hospital. Their medical equipment and doctors are the best in the city. Additionally, the Bale family is the largest herb supplier in Jaunce, producing pills that they sell at exorbitant prices to martial artists." "The head of the Bale family is Archer Bale, right?" Carlos's eyes darkened. Before dying, Jaden had told him that Archer Bale introduced the influential figure who ordered the Carroll family's destruction, so he had to settle the score with Archer. Nala nodded, "Yes!" Seeing the hatred on Carlos's face, Nala had a foreboding feeling. She hugged his arm and gently said, "Are you planning to go after the Bale family? They're the top family in Jaunce, with immense wealth and martial prowess. Shouldn't we plan carefully?" Carlos shook his head, "No need for elaborate plans. Archer Bale was one of the masterminds behind the downfall of the Carroll family. I must eliminate him! Not just him, but everyone in the Bale family who was involved in harming the Carroll family will be killed!" Nala sighed.  Carlos's ability to kill Jaden was indeed extraordinary, but the Bale family, especially Archer, was a mid-level Grand Martial Master, not weaker than Jaden.  Plus, they had an even stronger protector. If Carlos confronted the Bale family, it would be a dire situation. "Carlos, it's late. Why not rest for a night before dealing with the Bale family?" Nala wanted to calm Carlos first. She leaned her pretty face against his arm, her beautiful eyes gazing deeply into his. Carlos smiled tenderly, embracing Nala, his gaze turning icy again.  "Vengeance can't wait until morning. Tonight, no one in Jaunce will sleep well!"