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Chapter_236
Queenie, her excitement palpable, skipped down the stairs and rushed to stand before Walter and the Smiling Grim Reaper. Though she had missed the Lees’ birthday banquet, her grandfather had obtained footage of the event, allowing her to witness the Smiling Grim Reaper’s extraordinary skills firsthand. The video had left her in awe, and now, seeing him in person only intensified her excitement.
Walter, ever the stern figure, shot a glare at Queenie. “What’s the point of making such a fuss?”
To Walter, the Smiling Grim Reaper was no ordinary man. He had taken down 999 ruthless individuals, each with impeccable skill and precision. Walter, as the richest man in Jonford, was nothing compared to the reputation and authority of the Smiling Grim Reaper. Queenie, embarrassed by her outburst, blushed and whined, “I was just too excited.”
Her soft, tender voice seemed to affect Justin more than he expected, stirring a quiet flutter in his chest.
Walter, attempting to smooth over the situation, turned to the Smiling Grim Reaper with a polite smile. “My granddaughter still has much to learn. Please don’t take offense, Mr. Reaper.”
The Smiling Grim Reaper, however, was fixated on Queenie, his cold, piercing gaze never leaving her face. Walter’s stomach clenched in sudden unease. Is he angry?
Queenie, unaware of the tension, blushed even harder under the intensity of the gaze. Her hands fidgeted behind her back, and she lowered her head shyly. The entire room seemed to hold its breath as the weight of the moment hung in the air.
Justin, feeling more and more like an outsider in this strange scene, turned away and walked slowly to the sofa. He took a deep, shaky breath, willing himself not to reveal his true identity. Every part of him was screaming with the need to keep his cover intact.
As Kai prepared the tea, he handed Justin a cup with a careful, almost respectful gesture. “It’s already late. Are you heading out to complete a mission, Mr. Reaper?” he asked, his voice carrying an undercurrent of curiosity.
Walter, still observing the situation closely, couldn’t help but feel a bit puzzled. Why had the Smiling Grim Reaper been so bad at driving that he ended up crashing into his own car? He considered the possibility that Justin was not really in a rush and had used the crash as an excuse to divert attention.
Justin’s response was a simple grunt of affirmation, his voice modified by the special sound effect device in the mask. It sounded identical to the Smiling Grim Reaper’s voice from the Lees’ banquet, but the moment was growing increasingly tense, and Justin could feel his nerves fraying.
Kai pressed further, his curiosity piqued. “Who are you trying to kill, Mr. Reaper? Do you need our help?”
The question struck like a hammer, sending a ripple of panic through Justin’s chest. What should I say? How should I answer him? The weight of the question felt impossible to answer without blowing his cover.
Justin’s grip on the teacup tightened, his heart pounding. He could sense Kai’s intense gaze on him, scrutinizing him like an animal in a trap. Kai was a man of great power in Jonford, a ruthless individual who wasn’t easily fooled. Justin could feel cold sweat breaking out across his forehead and back as he tried to maintain his composure.
If he sees through me, I’m finished.
Kai, a known elite among the wealthy second-generation crowd, had a reputation for cruelty and a sharp mind. His stare pierced Justin, and there was a subtle but undeniable shift in the atmosphere. It was as if the air itself had thickened, heavy with the pressure of unspoken suspicion.
“Oh, Kai, why are you asking so many questions?” Queenie interjected, glancing at her brother with a hint of displeasure. “Besides, he’s the Smiling Grim Reaper. Do you really think you’d be able to help him?”
Kai didn’t flinch. He kept his gaze locked on Justin’s eyes, not even acknowledging Queenie’s words. The room grew even more tense, as though time itself had come to a standstill.
Walter, watching the scene unfold, furrowed his brows slightly but remained silent, not fully understanding the dynamic at play. He had no idea what was making Justin so jittery, but the tension in the air was undeniable.
Trying to steady himself, Justin took a sip from his teacup, his hands trembling slightly as he did. The warmth of the tea only added to his sense of urgency. I can’t let them see who I really am. I can’t let them know.
His thoughts drifted to the dark web account he had once purchased, where he had come across videos of the Smiling Grim Reaper’s cold, unforgiving gaze. Those eyes had been like ice—sharp, calculating, and filled with an intensity that could strip away any sense of security. Justin tried to emulate that same demeanor, but it wasn’t easy. His nerves were getting the best of him.
With every passing second, the weight of the lie he was living under felt more unbearable.