Chapter 14 Preparing For A Killing Spree

• Seven years ago, the development of Skyterra Pharmaceutical Group was in full swing.
• Matthew and Joshua were not only classmates but also close friends. They took on the responsibility of raw material supply for traditional medicine for Skyterra Pharmaceutical Group on behalf of the Calloway family.
• This business venture had propelled the Calloway family from being an insignificant minor family to becoming a second-rate family in Lofbury.
• Moreover, it was the support of Jonathan and Matthew, that elevated them to become in hot demand in the Calloway family.
• The entire Calloway family, without exception, was gathered around Jonathan and Matthew, fawning and groveling at their feet.
• At one point, Heather had intended to designate Matthew as the heir to the family lineage.
• However, Joshua met with a mishap seven years ago.
• The ownership of Skyterra Pharmaceutical Group had changed, and overnight, all of its numerous operations underwent a comprehensive adjustment.
• The business handled by the Calloway family was cancelled.
• Jonathan subsequently fell from grace, and Matthew became as unpopular as a target of scorn.
• This blow had left Matthew in a state of despair, spending his days losing himself in alcohol.
• One evening, he had one too many at Happy Barrel Bar. In his drunken stupor, he got into a dispute with some patrons. Dazed and confused, he was shoved over, taking a nasty fall and hitting his head.
• At the beginning, it was discovered that he had suffered a concussion.
• Following that, he was diagnosed with epilepsy.
• Over the past few years, Matthew had been caught up in a messy dispute with the Happy Barrel Bar, relentlessly pursuing a compensation of three hundred thousand.
• “How could this happen?”
• Joshua felt a heavy weight in his heart and asked, “Is Happy Barrel Bar owned by the Hoffman family?”
• “Right. The boss is named Gary Hoffman. He's a member of the Hoffman family's branch family.”
• “He's been avoiding paying the compensation, hiding behind the support of the Hoffman family. Somehow, he had a change of heart today, and decided to pay up,” Quinley said.
• “No matter their reasons, if they give, then we shall accept. If they refuse...” Joshua let out a soft snort and continued, “Well, then it's not something that three hundred thousand can fix!”
• Had he not been set up, Matthew would not have ended up in such a dire situation.
• Therefore, he harbored feelings of guilt.
• It would have been fine if the Hoffman family had resolved the matter swiftly.
• However, if things were really as Matthew had said, and it was all a deceitful game, then Joshua wouldn't mind making the Hoffman family pay a painful price.
• Matthew got out of the taxi a few dozen meters away from Happy Barrel Bar.
• Throughout his years of dealing with the Hoffman family, he had accumulated enough experience to suspect everything.
• Mr. Kevin asking me to come over for the money seemed like a good thing, but what if it was just a ruse? I have to be cautious!
• One of the reasons he got off the car early was to wait for Quinley, and the other was to assess the situation.
• Vroom!
• A roar echoed from behind him, as two motorcycles zoomed past at breakneck speed, suddenly barreling toward him.
• “What the f*ck?”
• Matthew was taken aback, immediately sidestepping to avoid them.
• The motorcycles grazed past his back before coming to an abrupt halt.
• “I knew this was a trap!”
• Matthew was livid, he pointed at the driver and shouted, “If you've got the guts, then try to run me over! I dare you!”
• “Stay right there, then! Don't move!”
• The two drivers spun their vehicles around on the spot, charging toward him once again.
• Matthew tensed up, quickly spotted a narrow alley nearby, and darted into it.
• The main streets were too broad and open. They lacked the numerous hiding spots that the narrow alleys offered.
• But soon, two more motorcyclists appeared ahead, blocking his way.
• Just like that, he was caught in a pincer attack.
• “F*ck!”
• Matthew quickly turned a corner, rushing into the adjacent side street.
• However, at the end of the forked road, a motorcycle was still blocking his way.
• He was so scared that he broke out in a cold sweat, running as fast as he could.
• Seven or eight motorcycles caught up to him, but they no longer rushed to ram into him. Instead, they simply brandished their baseball bats, forcing him to run harder.
• “F*ck! Are they trying to work me to death?”
• Matthew was utterly exhausted and simply couldn't run anymore. He came to a halt at the side of the road, bending over and propping himself up on his knees as he gasped for breath.
• Looking up, he found himself unexpectedly standing in front of Happy Barrel Bar.
• Nearby, seven or eight motorcyclists were propped up on one leg, watching him.
• One of the motorcyclists said with a teasing smirk, “You've got quite the stamina, Matthew. Weren't you said to have epilepsy? How can you still run with epilepsy? Go on, then! Keep running!”
• “N-No, I won't run anymore. Y-You guys might as well kill me if you've got the guts to!”
• Matthew was so exhausted that sweat poured down like rain, he was even unable to articulate his words properly.
• Vroom!
• At that moment, Quinley drove Joshua over.
• “Stop!”
• Joshua sprung from the car in a single step, rushing to Matthew's side. With a stern voice, he demanded, “I dare you guys to make a move!”
• “J-Joshua?”
• Matthew looked up and saw him, momentarily stunned. His voice trembled as he asked, “Is it you, Joshua?”
• “It's me!”
• Joshua helped him to stand upright, taking in his appearance from head to toe. Unwittingly, tears welled up in his eyes.
• In his memories, Matthew was spirited and lively, a figure of elegance and unrestrained grace.
• But now, he was as thin as a stick, his complexion wasn't great either, displaying a noticeable air of desolation.
• “Matthew! How are you, Matthew?”
• Quinley also got out of the car and came over, supporting Matthew's other arm.
• Seeing his distress, her eyes reddened in an instant. She angrily reprimanded the motorcyclists, “What are you guys doing? My brother is in poor health! Are you guys trying to torment him to death?”
• “Just half-dead would be enough!”
• A cold chuckle echoed down the street as over a dozen vans roared into arrival.
• Over a hundred people emerged from the vehicles, each one robust and strong. They held iron rods and baseball bats in their hands, making it clear at a glance that they were not to be trifled with.
• Matthew and Quinley were terrified, their bodies uncontrollably trembling.
• “Wow! There are people willing to take a beating with you! Not bad at all!”
• This group was led by a man in his forties, dressed in a traditional suit. He grinned, revealing a playful smirk, and remarked, “This little lady sure is feisty, just the kind of wild spirit I, Victor Neuner, am particularly fond of!”
• Victor Neuner? As in, the underworld boss of Lofbury?
• Matthew felt as if he had been struck by lightning, his face pale as a sheet. Trembling, he stammered, “H-How have I offended you, Mr. Neuner? W-What are you going to do?”
• Quinley was on the verge of tears, her voice trembling as she said, “Joshua, let's run away quickly! We can't afford to mess with them. If we don't run now, we're done for!”
• “There's no time for us to run.”
• With a malicious grin, Victor waved his hand and ordered, “Men, leave Matthew half-alive!”
• “Understood!”
• Over a hundred of his subordinates broke into wild laughter, ready to move forward.
• “Wait!”
• A stern reprimand erupted at the entrance of Happy Barrel Bar.
• Thump! Thump! Thump!
• A group of around twenty people, armed with machetes, surged out of the bar. They positioned themselves protectively behind Joshua, Quinley, and Matthew.
• A middle-aged man followed closely behind, cocking his head as he asked, “Victor, are you tired of living? How dare you stir up trouble on the Hoffman family's turf?”
• A twitch crossed Victor's face as he slightly bowed and said, “It seems there's been a misunderstanding, Mr. Kevin. I just needed to use your territory for a bit today. If I have caused any offense, I will make amends over drinks another day!”
• Kevin's expression turned gloomy as he asked, “Are you asking for a favor?”
• “Please don't put me in a difficult position, Mr. Kevin. We each have our own orders.”
• Victor then stood up straight and continued, “Men, stay sharp! Don't harm anyone under Mr. Kevin's command!”
• “Mr. Neuner, right? You've got guts!”
• Joshua wore a gloomy expression, pulling out his mobile phone. He dialed Clayton's number and commanded, “Send some men over. We're about to go on a killing spree!”
• Victor laughed, remarking, “Whoa there! You've got some nerve, kid. You even dared summon your men over for a killing spree? Excellent! I'd love to see who you can summon! Let's see who's even more audacious than me!”
• All of his subordinates stared at Joshua as if they were looking at a fool.
• In just a few minutes, the sudden whirring of rotor blades echoed across the sky.
• Hundreds of helicopters hovered above the city streets.
• Clack! Clack! Clack!
• The helicopter's weapons bay swung open, and the barrels of the machine guns emerged collectively.
• The cannons were simultaneously positioned, one after another.
• “What the f*ck? Are we going to war here?”
• Pedestrians on the street gasped in shock, clutching their heads as they ran off.