The country entrusted me to buy an aircraft carrier, Hou Liangping, do you dare to investigate?

“Sophie…” Hou Liangping’s hands trembled as he dialed the number he knew by heart, but all he got in response was a cold busy tone. “Damn it!” He slammed his phone to the ground, the screen shattering instantly, just like his mood at that moment.

"Could it be... that even you have abandoned me?" Despair overwhelmed him like a tidal wave. He squatted down helplessly and buried his head deeply in his arms.

Just then, a black sedan silently pulled up beside him, the window slowly rolled down, revealing a familiar yet unfamiliar face.

"It's been a long time, Prosecutor Hou." The woman parted her red lips slightly and uttered a meaningful sentence.

"It's you... How did you get here?" Hou Liangping suddenly raised his head, his eyes filled with shock and confusion.

"What? Aren't you happy to see me?" The woman chuckled, reaching up to brush a strand of hair behind her ear, exuding charm and allure.

"No...no..." Hou Liangping stood up in a panic, stammering, "I'm just...very surprised..."

"Get in the car, I have something to tell you." The woman didn't give him much time to think, her tone leaving no room for argument.

Hou Liangping hesitated for a moment, then finally opened the car door and got in. He knew that his life might be completely changed from this moment on…

The black sedan drove into the night and disappeared into the bustling streets, leaving only a silhouette that left much to the imagination.

The neon lights outside the car window flashed quickly across Hou Liangping's face, reflecting his complex expression. The woman handed him a cigarette, then lit one for herself; the crimson cigarette butt flickered in the darkness, like a signal of some kind of danger.

"Sophie is in trouble. Huang Feipeng's men took her away." The woman exhaled a puff of smoke, her tone calm, yet it was like a bomb exploding in Hou Liangping's ear.

"What did you say?!" Hou Liangping turned his head sharply, staring at the woman in front of him in disbelief. "This is impossible! Sophie... how could she..."

"What, feeling sorry for him?" The woman smiled contemptuously, a hint of mockery in her eyes. "I told you long ago that Huang Feipeng is no good, but you just wouldn't believe me. You even acted like you were going to die for that woman. It's ridiculous."

Hou Liangping's face turned pale, then flushed. The woman's words were like a sharp knife, stabbing deeply into his heart. Of course, he felt sorry for Su Fei. That woman was like a rose with thorns, beautiful yet dangerous, making him knowingly commit wrongdoings, yet willingly indulge in them. However, he also knew Su Fei's special identity; if exposed, the consequences would be unimaginable!

"Mary, what exactly are you trying to say?" Hou Liangping suppressed his anger. He knew this was not the time to act rashly. He had to figure out the situation before he could find a way to rescue Sophie.

Mary, a top-tier agent of the American intelligence agency planted in Great Xia for many years, has a complex relationship with Sophie, a complex mix of friend and foe. She's like a venomous snake, always lurking in the shadows, waiting for her chance to strike. Hou Liangping doesn't know whether she's friend or foe this time, but he has no other choice but to trust her.

“I can help you rescue Sophie, but you have to agree to one condition.” Mary flicked her cigarette ash, her tone carrying an undeniable air of authority.

"What conditions?"

"I need you to help me bring down Huang Feipeng!" A ruthless glint flashed in Mary's eyes, and the crimson cigarette butt flickered on her pale fingertips, much like her inner turmoil.

Hou Liangping fell silent. He knew what Mary's conditions meant. Huang Feipeng—that name had become a thorn in his side. Every time he thought of Huang's arrogant demeanor, it made him grit his teeth in hatred. However, he also knew that Huang Feipeng's power was immense, and trying to bring him down was like an ant trying to shake a tree.

"What, scared?" Mary chuckled, her tone laced with provocation. "Didn't you want revenge? Now your chance is right in front of you. If you agree, I can guarantee you'll see Huang Feipeng utterly disgraced!"

Hou Liangping clenched his fists tightly. Mary's words were like an invisible hand, plucking at the strings of hatred in his heart. He knew it was a dangerous gamble; failure would mean utter ruin. However, Sophie's safety, his hatred for Huang Feipeng, and the burning resentment within him were all driving him, making it impossible for him to refuse.

"Okay, I promise you!"

Under the cover of night, the two reached an agreement, unaware that a pair of cold eyes were watching everything through the window.

"Hou Liangping, you're really disappointing me more and more!" The man sneered, a cruel smile curving his lips. "Since you're so eager to die, then I'll grant your wish!"

In the dimly lit room, only the flickering light of a burning cigarette butt illuminated the scene. Hou Liangping could feel Mary's gaze across from him, like a cold, venomous snake coiling around him relentlessly. He took a deep breath, struggling to suppress his unease.

“Tell me your plan, Mary. Huang Feipeng is not so easy to deal with.” His voice was low, with a slight, almost imperceptible tremor.

"Don't worry, I've already made arrangements." Mary gave a charming smile. "Sophie is currently in Chang Long's hands. As long as you can persuade the Zhong family to cut off the Chang family's funding, I can find a way to rescue her."

Chang Long, the underground emperor of the capital, controls most of the entertainment venues and underground transactions in the city, and is also Huang Feipeng's right-hand man. Hou Liangping is well aware of Chang Long's methods; Su Fei is in grave danger in his hands.

"I'll do my best," Hou Liangping said through gritted teeth, "but you must guarantee Sophie's safety, otherwise..."

“Otherwise what?” Mary asked defiantly. “Do you still have the right to negotiate with me?”

Hou Liangping clenched his fists, his nails digging deep into his flesh, but he was powerless to refute. He knew better than anyone that he was now at his wit's end. To bring down Huang Feipeng and to rescue Su Fei, he had no choice but to trust Mary, even though he knew this woman was a viper.

“Okay, I promise you.” Hou Liangping took a deep breath. “But you must remember your promise, otherwise I’ll risk my life to take you…”

"Alright, stop with the nonsense," Mary interrupted him impatiently. "Just do what you're supposed to do."

Mary stood up and stubbed out her cigarette hard in the ashtray. "Remember, as soon as possible."

After saying that, she turned and left the room, leaving Hou Liangping alone in the darkness, struggling helplessly like a trapped beast.

“Mary, you better pray that Sophie is alright, otherwise…” Hou Liangping watched Mary’s departing figure, a sinister glint in his eyes.