From Bullets To Billions Chapter 650: That’s An Order

A flood of recollections washed over Max the instant he recognized the face peering out from the lowered car window. As the vehicle decelerated to a crawl beside him, his gut instinct screamed a warning of dire consequences, though the exact nature remained obscured. A fleeting thought of retreating to create distance, anticipating a swift abduction, crossed his mind, but he suppressed the urge. Occupying his current position as a syndicate leader meant projecting an image of unwavering strength, not one of fear or evasion.

Instead, he advanced toward the door, his gaze sharpening as the driver's identity became undeniable.

The man at the helm was Dud, a former key figure within the Rejected Corps, effectively serving as Na's second-in-command. During their initial confrontation, Max had emerged victorious in a physical clash, yet he'd failed to deliver a final blow. Dud, proving remarkably elusive, had managed to evade capture. Since that encounter, Max had diligently delved into Dud's background, discreetly probing Na for details regarding his associate's clandestine activities.

The revelations unearthed were deeply disturbing. Dud was identified as the primary instigator of the internal strife that had systematically corrupted the Rejected Corps. Furthermore, Max's deeper investigation into the gang's history pointed strongly towards Dud as the individual who had procured the vehicle used in the fatal hit-and-run incident that claimed Jay's life. He had operated like a phantom, skillfully manipulating both the Chalkline Boys and the Rejected Corps against each other, functioning as the unseen nexus in a web of calculated betrayals.

Merely standing there, confronting the man's smug countenance, ignited a raw, seething anger within Max. The urge to reach through the window, seize Dud by the throat, and drag him onto the unforgiving pavement was potent. However, he recognized the precariousness of the tactical situation. Dud occupied a position within a moving vehicle, capable of accelerating instantly to either flee or weaponize the substantial mass of the car against him.

"What brings you here?" Max inquired, his voice a low, menacing growl. "Seeking retribution? It strikes me as exceptionally perilous for you to present yourself directly before me in this manner. You must possess a considerable measure of audacity today."

"Well, look at this," Dud scoffed, his fingers drumming a rhythm against the steering wheel. "It appears someone has inflated their own ego rather dramatically. I've been observing your progression, Max. Your collective has experienced significant expansion recently, has it not?"

Dud leaned closer to the window, his eyes devoid of warmth. "Do you truly believe your newfound title renders you beyond reproach? That, Max, is a fallacy. At your core, you remain but a youth. What conceivable purpose does an individual like yourself serve within the confines of a university? Engaging in some form of mock-existence?"

Max offered a slight shake of his head. If only Dud possessed the complete picture, though it likely would not alter the fundamental animosity. If there was a single soul on this earth Max was determined to dispatch with his own hands, it was the man currently occupying the driver's seat.

"What, no retort? Expecting a lady friend?" Dud taunted, his grin twisting into something distinctly predatory. "I'd exercise caution if I were you. We're all aware of the unfortunate fate that befell the last significant female in your life... wasn't her name Abby?"

The utterance of her name sent a palpable jolt through Max's frame. His heart hammered against his ribs, and his muscles tensed, coiled in readiness to unleash a strike, even if it were a solitary opportunity.

"I assure you, Max, your need for vigilance has never been greater," Dud continued, his voice descending into a chilling whisper. "My intentions extend beyond merely ending your existence. I shall ensure that all those dear to you, everyone you hold in genuine affection, meets a similar end. Reflect upon this. Were I not firmly convinced of my capability to execute such a plan, I would not have journeyed here to convey this threat directly to your face."

Just as Max shifted his stance, preparing to lunge forward, Dud abruptly depressed the accelerator. The car surged ahead, vanishing into the distance and leaving Max enveloped in a lingering cloud of exhaust fumes. He remained stationary for a beat, etching the license plate numbers into his memory. He resolved to relay this information to Aron at a later time, hoping they could trace the vehicle's registration or current ownership.

'I hadn't anticipated encountering an individual from my former life so swiftly,' Max mused, his thoughts accelerating. 'My existing concerns are compounded by unforeseen complexities. A permanent resolution for him is imperative... yet, his manifest confidence is profoundly unsettling.'

"Max!" a voice called out from the pedestrian walkway. "I must confess, I am rather surprised to encounter you again so soon."

Upon turning his head, Max's gaze met Aki's. She had evidently concluded her participation in the university event and was now en route back towards the city center.

"Hey, seeing as you appear to be at liberty, I was wondering if you might be amenable to joining me for dinner or perhaps a drink?" Aki proposed, her tone laced with hopeful anticipation. "I suspect it would prove far more agreeable than spending time amongst a gathering of unfamiliar individuals."

Max surveyed Aki from head to toe, the lingering shadow of Dud’s threats clouding his thoughts. Observing her expectant gaze in that instant, he precisely discerned her underlying intentions.

"You hold feelings for me, don’t you?" Max inquired with stark directness. The question, landing with such blunt force, left Aki utterly discomposed, her countenance suffused with a deep crimson blush.

"I apologize, but you ought not to," Max stated, his tone adopting a chilling finality. "Henceforth, you are to act as though you have never encountered me. Maintain a distance when we cross paths on campus. Do not even offer a flicker of recognition."

Max pivoted and commenced his departure, heading in the contrary direction.

"I am entirely serious," he reinforced, his voice carrying back over his shoulder. "That is a command."

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