Chapter 445 Take Away
Byron walked into Micah's banquet hall like he owned the joint, his crew trailing behind him. His face was calm, unreadable, but when he spotted James being held down, a chill flickered across his brow.
"Who the hell—" one of the security guards blurted out, but then they quickly backed off, their expressions shifting.
Byron didn't even bother looking at them as he moved forward. His presence was magnetic, and the crowd parted like he was some kind of force of nature.
Some folks recognized him—like Otto, Doyle, and Isla—while others, who didn't know him, could still feel his powerful vibe.
Byron was instantly the center of attention.
Otto was the first to step up, flashing a welcoming grin. "Mr. Reyes, what brings you here?"
Doyle forced a smile too. "Evening, Mr. Reyes."
Ulysses, who had been watching James closely, was startled when he heard Byron's name and turned to see the man approaching.
Why would someone like Byron just show up here out of the blue?
Byron ignored the greetings and smiles, making his way to James without a word.
He snapped the handcuffs off James and kicked away the guys holding him down with just one strike. They hit the ground with a grunt, not getting back up anytime soon.
The other uniformed guys hesitated, but Doyle quickly shouted, "Stand down!"
The dozen or so men backed off, eyes wide with fear.
The whole room went silent, like Byron's presence alone had hit the mute button.
Ulysses opened his mouth to say something but thought better of it and stayed quiet.
Byron looked at James. "You alright?"
"Thanks for asking, Mr. Reyes. I'm good," James replied, coughing and wiping blood from his face. "I can handle it."
Byron's gaze was steady. "With your skills, how'd you let these clowns hold you down?"
His blunt words made Ulysses and his crew's faces change instantly.
James let out a deep breath. "I'm out of strength."
That simple admission made Byron's heart clench. He'd learned everything on his way here and knew the rough day James had been through.
"If you're out of strength, just lean on me," Byron said gently. "But don't let anyone hold you down again."
James nodded slightly. "Got it."
"Alright, let's get you home," Byron said, helping James to his feet.
"Who said you could leave?" Lavinia couldn't hold back any longer and yelled, "You can't go!"
She instinctively blocked their path, raising a gun in her hand. But before she could aim at James, one of The Dragon's Breath operatives moved swiftly, pressing a gun to her head.
The operative's arm was steady as a rock, and the cold intent was unmistakable. No one doubted that if Lavinia made a move, the gun would fire.
Otto and the others instinctively stepped back.
"Byron, it's a misunderstanding," Ulysses said, his eyelid twitching as he pulled Lavinia back. "Let's not blow this out of proportion."
In terms of wealth, connections, and influence, Byron couldn't compare to Ulysses. But with The Dragon's Breath backing him, Ulysses had to show some respect.
Doyle nodded repeatedly. "Yeah, yeah, let's not make a big deal out of this."
Byron's voice was icy. "I don't do misunderstandings. I have allies and enemies."
Ulysses' expression shifted, and he exchanged a glance with Doyle.
Doyle hesitated but finally stepped forward, gritting his teeth. "Mr. Reyes, James hurt Micah and even killed someone. You can't just walk out with him."
"That's right, Byron. I don't know what James means to you," Ulysses added sarcastically, "but he attacked someone in public and messed up Micah's hands. That's a crime."
"You should know, as a senior member of The Dragon's Breath, that the law is paramount. Protecting a criminal isn't good for you or The Dragon's Breath."
Though he didn't want to go against The Dragon's Breath, Ulysses couldn't let Byron take James away without a fight. Otherwise, how would The Gonzalez Family keep its reputation? How would he keep his authority?
James had to be taken down tonight.
Isla nodded in agreement. "Yeah, James committed a crime and has to face the law."
Nearly a hundred people in the room chimed in, accusing James of lawlessness.
Ulysses looked smug. "Byron, you can't go against public opinion. If you insist on taking him, I'll report this to The Dragon's Breath and demand justice for our Gonzalez Family."
Lavinia's face was full of venom. "Exactly. James crossed our Gonzalez Family, and you think you can just take him? Do you think we're easy to push around?"
"Kid, you messed with Micah. You're toast," Lavinia sneered at James, her eyes full of contempt. "That shot was just a taste. I'm gonna make sure you suffer real slow."
She, like the other women, looked down on James, furious that he had hurt Micah. She was hell-bent on making him beg for mercy.
James ignored her, focusing on the Shadowless Heart Sutra to regain his strength.
Lavinia glared at Byron. "I don't care who you think you are. James stays here. If you try to take him, don't blame us for getting nasty."
"I was gonna let your Gonzalez Family save face, keep things civil," Byron said, his expression cool despite the tension. "But since you wanna talk law and justice, fine. Let's do that."
Byron grabbed a tablet from one of his guys and pulled up a page. "On October 2nd, Micah tangled with James at an auction. Afterward, Micah had Aurelia hire Green Wolf to ambush James."
"On October 5th, Micah told Aurelia to send Delilah to sneak into Leo Villa and take out James."
"On October 14th, today, Micah ordered Marshall to poison James and rig explosives on a yacht for a series of attacks."
"Investigations show Aurelia from the Blood Medical Sect has been smuggling new drugs and gathering ancient formulas for Lumaria."
"Micah got perks from Aurelia eighteen times, racking up over a billion dollars. Last week, he fronted for the Blood Medical Sect in bidding for Cloud Top Mountain."
"Micah also planned to team up with Marshall to open a clinic in Stardust City."
As Byron laid out Micah's actions, Ulysses and Doyle's faces went pale. They were floored not just by Micah's deep involvement but by how much Byron knew.
Micah shivered, feeling his wounds throb painfully.
Ulysses forced a smile. "Byron, I spoke out of turn. My bad. You can take James."
Byron fixed Doyle with a stare. "Micah and Aurelia tried to kill James multiple times. Isn't he justified in seeking justice tonight?"
The question hung in the air, heavy and unyielding.
Doyle's eyelid twitched, and he awkwardly stepped back, unwilling to get further involved.
Byron turned to Micah. "You've tried to kill him more than once. Is it wrong for him to cripple your hands?"
"James's actions were extreme, but he was pushed to it. And you still want to arrest him?"
Byron let out a cold laugh. "Do you think you're untouchable?"
Micah stood rigid, unable to respond.
Ulysses suppressed his anger. "Alright, Byron, let's end this here."
"Too late," Byron said, his voice cold and mechanical. "You want to follow the law? Then we'll follow the law."
"The Dragon's Breath suspects Micah of colluding with foreign enemies, harming Celestia's interests. This is treason. We will arrest him for investigation."
"Lavinia shot and injured a member of The Dragon's Breath in public. I suspect she harbors hostility towards us"
Byron's words were firm. "The Dragon's Breath members won't bleed and cry."
Ulysses snapped, "The Dragon's Breath member? Which one? James?"
Byron tossed the tablet to his subordinate. "That's right."
Isla shouted, "That's impossible. He's just a doctor. How could he be a member of The Dragon's Breath? We need proof!"
Byron's response was simple. "That's top secret."
Ulysses clenched his fists. "You say he is, and he is?"
Byron was succinct. "You can file a complaint."
"Take them," he ordered.
A dozen The Dragon's Breath operatives moved forward, their expressions blank but their presence powerful.
Several of Ulysses' bodyguards instinctively tried to block them, only to be met with the sound of gunfire.
Micah tried to retreat but was kicked over, his hands twisted and cuffed.
Lavinia screamed and fought back, only to be shot in the leg. She was then dragged by her hair and slammed into a wall, knocked unconscious.
Ulysses tried to help her but was shoved to the ground.
The Dragon's Breath was known for its discipline. They only knew how to arrest, and any resistance was met with force.
Isla and the others backed away, afraid of getting caught in the crossfire.
Ulysses shouted, "Byron, have you thought about the consequences of this?"
"Take them away," Byron said, supporting James as they left without looking back.
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