chapter 30 The bullet in the palm ===

The three sat in the small pavilion for a while, exchanging words of comfort. During the conversation, Alexander learned of some little-known details. The robbery case that had claimed the lives of Jeremy's parents had once caused a sensation, but the police never caught the criminals. After joining the Tianhai City police, Jeremy and Andrew had been using their positions to investigate the case. Three years ago, they finally tracked down the criminal. At that time, both were obscure junior officers. Ignoring the risk to his own life, Andrew went with Jeremy He to apprehend the criminal. In a fierce gunfight, Jeremy took a fatal bullet for Andrew! While Andrew was unharmed, Jeremy ended up hospitalized for three months. After their discharge, their success in solving this major case earned them accolades from their superiors. They became rising stars in the police force, eventually rising to become the captain and deputy captain of the criminal police team. Alexander couldn't help but marvel at their bond. Not blood brothers, yet their relationship was stronger than that of siblings! It was only when Wayne, the junior policeman, and others came looking for them that Jeremy slowly stood up and left. His departing figure seemed to have aged overnight. "Cousin, let's go home..." Alexander stood up, supporting Hannah. With a forlorn look, Hannah stood and asked with concern, "Alexander, how should I break this news to Evelyn?" Her greatest worry was about her daughter. How could she convey the loss of her father to such a young child without casting a shadow over her childhood? "Let's not tell her for now. She's still young, we can keep it from her until she's older," Alexander suggested, also worried. He hoped that Evelyn could avoid thinking about Andrew for the time being. Hannah nodded, "That's all we can do. Poor Evelyn..." Thinking of her young daughter who had lost her father, tears uncontrollably streamed down Hannah Lin's face. "You and Evelyn should come live with us. With people around, she won't dwell on it too much, and it will also give my mother some company," Alexander proposed. "That... might not be appropriate," Hannah replied tearfully, looking down, "People will talk..." Alexander's reputation was already questionable, and if she were to live with him, it would inevitably attract gossip. A young widow and a playboy under one roof would be a juicy topic for gossipmongers. It could be seen from the sensation caused by Sophia Li's sex scandal that there would never be a shortage of gossip in this world! "Let them talk if they want!" Alexander said nonchalantly, "We have nothing to hide. Let people say what they want!" Throughout the car ride home, Hannah, still reeling from the loss of her husband, was silent, her tear-streaked face alternating between dry and wet. Alexander repeatedly struggled with the urge to comfort her with an embrace but managed to restrain himself to avoid further awkwardness. After dropping her off at Xu's residence, he said, "Don't go to the office for the next few days. Rest at home and try to keep calm in front of Evelyn, so she doesn't get worried..." Although he said this, he knew it would be incredibly difficult for Hannah, who had shared a deep love with her husband, to hide her grief from her daughter. Hannah nodded woodenly and got out of the car. Seeing that Alexander had no intention of getting out, she realized what he was planning to do. She ran in front of the car, tears falling again, her voice hoarse with crying, "Please don't do anything foolish! Let Jeremy handle it! I've already lost Andrew, I can't lose you too..." She paused, realizing the ambiguity of her words, a flush of embarrassment crossing her pale face. She hastily added, "If something happens to you, what will uncle and aunt do?" "Cousin, don't worry! I'll be fine," Alexander replied, understanding a bit more why the previous Alexander had always listened to his cousin. Perhaps the former Alexander had always been in love with his cousin but knew that due to their relationship, a relationship was impossible. That realization might have led him to a self-destructive path. And his own desire to be close to her was likely influenced by the lingering regrets of the deceased Alexander. Understanding this, he sighed inwardly, lamenting the twists of fate. "I won't let you go!" Hannah Lin tried to suppress her sobs, opening the car door and firmly holding on to Alexander, pleading, "Alexander, for my sake, please stay out of this matter! Please, I beg you!" Knowing the Li family's current madness and the fact that even Andrew, the captain of the criminal police, died at their hands, she didn't want Alexander to take this risk. She couldn't bear the thought of losing another loved one. Seeing Hannah's tearful state, a wave of affection surged in Alexander's heart. He reached out to touch her sorrowful face but hesitated, his hand suspended in the air, unable to touch her. After a long moment, he withdrew his hand and sighed softly, "Cousin, you know you can't stop me. Don't worry, I'll be fine..." With these words, Alexander reversed the car a few meters, circled around her, and sped off towards the base. Watching the car disappear into the darkness, Hannah collapsed to the ground, tears flowing like a fountain, silently praying in her heart: Alexander, you must be safe! Upstairs, William Xu and his wife watched the scene unfold, tears streaming down their faces. Arriving at the base, Alexander was greeted by Brandon Li, who apologized, "Alexander, I'm sorry!" He had already received the news of Andrew's fatal accident. The failure to detect the plot against him in time made him feel responsible. Alexander didn't blame Brandon, but instead issued orders with a stern expression: "Call back the team following Jason Li, and send the second team with some arms to protect my family's safety. Tell them a foreigner named Left Hand Man will assist them. Everyone in the first team, gathered in the war room in two hours." The second team, the Xu family's original bodyguards, had greatly improved their skills after a month of training. Paired with the military-grade weapons gifted by King Kong, they should be sufficient to defend the Xu family's safety. "Got it! I'll arrange it right away!" Brandon hurried off to make the arrangements. He knew that tonight, the power dynamics in Tianhai City would undergo a massive change, potentially becoming a nightmare that many would never forget. Soon, the second team left for Xu's residence. Seeing Alexander standing at the door, they all stood straight and saluted him. Their capabilities had greatly improved over the past month, and Alexander had become a figure they looked up to. Alexander returned their salute and watched them leave. With a bit more training, they could be entirely self-sufficient. Although their natural talents were lacking, their willingness to train hard and make up for their shortcomings meant that, given time, they would all grow stronger. Two hours later, the dispatched personnel returned to the base. Twenty-five people sat silently below, watching Alexander, waiting for him to issue the combat orders. Ignoring their gazes, Alexander walked straight to Brandon and said, "You're in full charge of this mission. You can command everyone here, including me." Surprised, Brandon looked at Alexander, and then showed gratitude. He knew Alexander was testing him. Brandon walked to the front, pondered for a few minutes, and then began assigning tasks: "Split into two groups. One group will contain the police and Li family reinforcements on the periphery. The other, led by Big Bear, will assault the Blood Wolf Squad headquarters, armed with shoulder-launched missiles. Water Buffalo and I will handle long-range sniping. Alexander will go alone to the Li's villa to confront Brian Li and his elite guards." Knowing Alexander's capabilities, sending him to face Brian Li and his elite was the best choice. Others might suffer unbearable casualties. Listening to Brandon's arrangement, Alexander nodded slightly. Brandon's meticulous planning suited his character, though it was still a bit naive. If it were up to him, he would only leave four or five people for the containment task. Such firepower should be sufficient for that role. The main focus should be on assaulting the Blood Wolf Squad headquarters, the real challenge. But now, with the gifts from King Kong, this arrangement was acceptable. "Alexander, do you have any additions?" Brandon asked after finishing his plan. "Your arrangement is too conservative, but since you've made it, let's follow this plan," Alexander replied, glancing at him. "A piece of advice: assign someone else for long-range sniping." After Alexander finished speaking, he stood up, took the pistol from the person next to him, and quickly pointed the gun at Brandon under everyone's puzzled eyes. "Bang!" Alexander pulled the trigger without hesitation. Brandon was stunned. Everyone was stunned. They didn't know why Alexander shot Brandon Li! Angry, extremely angry, Brandon was both their captain and their brother, and now he was shot and killed by Alexander Xu for no reason! Some people were even ready to draw their guns and kill Alexander. However, they did not see the scene of blood spurting out as they imagined. The gun rang out, and they could clearly see the sparks from the muzzle, and the flying cartridge also fell. However, Brandon was still standing there, unscathed! "Real power is obtained from constant close combat!"Alexander said coldly, opening his palms to the dull-eyed crowd, in the palm of his hand was a yellow-orange bullet...