chapter 44 madman

Kent, Theodore, and Ray were discussing how Master Thunder, once considered formidable, had challenged Noah single-handedly and ended up being defeated. Just then, the butler entered, showing great respect. "Sir, there's a man named Finn outside who wishes to see you." Kent frowned upon hearing this, expressing his displeasure. "Madcap, why does he keep coming to me?" Curious, Theodore inquired, "What's going on, Mr. Cao?" Kent responded casually, "He used to be one of my subordinates, rumored to have been a mercenary in Africa, known for his lethal skills. I kept him around as an enforcer due to his proficiency. But he caused trouble everywhere. A month ago, he got into an argument in a bar and ended up killing three people." "After the incident, he came to me, and I gave him some money to get out of town." "I never expected to find him still in ZhongHai City. Does he think I'm running a charity fund?" With that, Kent instructed the butler to have the guards escort Finn out. However, Theodore intervened. "Mr. Cao, since Finn is a tough character and he's also looking to leave town, why not use him to our advantage?" Kent looked surprised. "Bro Theodore, what do you mean?" Theodore grinned and explained, "Finn is a desperado. He's killed so many people that one or two more wouldn't matter to him. You could give him some money and have him help take care of Noah for you." Ray chimed in, "That's right. He used to be your subordinate. Now, he's fallen on hard times and turned to you for help. If you turn him away, he might hold a grudge against you. Instead, give him some money and have him do a job for you. It's a win-win for everyone." After hearing the suggestions from the Song Brothers, Kent pondered for a moment before nodding in agreement. "You make a valid point. Butler, bring Madcap in to see me." "Yes, sir," the butler acknowledged. Soon, the butler brought in Finn Lai, an unassuming-looking but physically robust man. Finn was stopped by Kent's guards as he entered the living room. They used a metal detector to ensure he had no weapons before allowing him closer to Kent. Finn appeared unassuming, but there was a glint of determination in his otherwise simple and honest eyes. He held his head high, allowing the bodyguards to inspect him. One of them used a metal detector and waved it around Finn, immediately setting off a beeping alarm. "He's armed!" "Hand over the weapon!" The bodyguards looked at Finn with wary expressions. Even Kent, Theodore, and Ray on the living room sofa turned their gaze towards him. Finn, however, grinned and raised his hand, unbuttoning his shirt to reveal a body covered in scars. Not only were there knife wounds, but also bullet scars, and marks left by grenade shrapnel – a truly haunting sight. The guards, as well as Kent, Theodore, and Ray on the sofa, stared in astonishment. They couldn't help but wonder how many battles Finn had experienced in African war zones to bear such scars. Finn seemed pleased with the shocked expressions he received. He grinned and reassured them, "Don't worry, there are no weapons on me. Just a few bullets and grenade fragments still in my body." Everyone's expressions grew even more peculiar. Kent exchanged a glance with the Song Brothers. Suddenly, they realized they were looking for someone like Finn – a genuine tough guy – rather than a "paper tiger" like Master Thunder. Standing up, Kent walked towards Finn, chuckling. "Madcap, you're here." "Mr. Cao!" Finn greeted him. Kent looked Finn up and down, then jovially said, "Madcap, don't blame them. I've recently made some enemies, and it seems they've gotten a bit paranoid about anyone approaching me. It's all in the interest of my safety. I hope you understand." Finn glanced at Kent, noticing the bandage on his head. His eyes widened in anger. "Who dares to attack Mr. Cao? Tell me, Madcap, and I'll help you take care of them!" Kent squinted. "Madcap, are you serious?" Finn frowned. "Mr. Cao, that's not right. You, Mr. Cao, are my benefactor. Anyone who harms you is crossing me, Madcap. Would I let them off? Mr. Cao, who dared to touch you? Tell me. Even if he thinks he's a king, would I, Madcap, hesitate to put a few holes in him?" Kent was pleased with Finn's response. He patted Finn's shoulder and said, "No need to rush. Let's sit down and talk. If you settle the score for me, I'll give you ten million as your getaway fund." Upon hearing this, Finn's eyes lit up. When he was a mercenary in Africa, his monthly salary was about two hundred thousand converted into Huaxia Currency. If there were particularly dangerous missions, the pay would be higher, but a million a month was considered top-tier! With Kent's offer, Finn could make a year's worth of salary from the African warzones. After they both sat down, Kent personally poured champagne for Finn. He then explained the feud between him and Noah. Finn listened and grinned. "I thought he was someone formidable, but it turns out he's just a retired guy with a bit of fighting skill." "Mr. Cao, leave this to me. I have two brothers. Tomorrow night, we'll help you take care of Noah. And we'll also abduct that beauty named Pauline and deliver her to your bed." Kent's expression turned satisfied. "Heh, I'll be waiting for your good news." ... The next evening, Noah and Pauline left the company and drove home together. As they took a turn, a person suddenly darted out from a flower bed. Noah quickly slammed on the brakes. Pauline exclaimed, "Did we hit him? Let's get out and check." Just as Noah and Pauline were about to get out and inspect the person they had accidentally touched, both rear doors of the car were opened simultaneously. Two men, one on each side, jumped in. They were holding handguns and pointed them at Noah and Pauline, warning in low voices, "Don't move, or we'll kill you." Noah furrowed his brows slightly, and Pauline's face turned pale. At this moment, the pedestrian who had been bumped by the car swiftly entered the back seat, grinning maliciously. "Hello, I'm Madcap. You'd better follow my orders. Otherwise, my guns won't be discerning." Noah glanced at Madcap and his companions, coolly stating, "Daring to play with guns in front of me takes some nerve." Finn pointed his gun at the back of Noah's head, sneering. "You've got some nerve too, going against Mr. Cao. Now drive for me. Head towards the outskirts. If you try anything funny, I'll put a bullet in you first." Noah's lips curled up slightly. He started the car and drove towards the outskirts as instructed. He casually remarked, "So, Kent sent you guys, huh? He couldn't swallow the beating I gave him, so he sent you to rough me up?" A glint of cruelty flashed in Finn's eyes. "You'll find out soon." Sitting in the passenger seat, Pauline's face grew even paler. These thugs with guns were forcing them to drive to a desolate, uninhabited area. It couldn't be as simple as a beating; they might be planning something more sinister – like murder and disposal of the bodies. Pauline could already guess the malicious intent of Finn and his accomplices. How could Noah not be aware? Noah smirked and quickly accelerated onto the ring road. Once on the ring road, Noah didn't let up on the gas. The speed of the car kept increasing, surpassing 100 in the blink of an eye, and it continued to surge upwards. In just a few breaths, the speed had exceeded 200, like piloting an aircraft –terrifying. As Noah drove, he tenderly said to Pauline in the passenger seat, "Honey, close your eyes." Pauline obediently shut her eyes, her whole body tense with anticipation. In the backseat, Finn's two companions were also on edge. Anyone would be nervous at this speed. Finn, having crawled out of piles of dead bodies as a mercenary, wasn't nervous. He only gripped his gun, glancing at the speedometer which already read 250, and coldly said to Noah, "Driving this fast, who are you trying to intimidate? I've never been scared." Noah smirked. "Is that so?" Finn saw Noah's expression and realized something was amiss. Then he saw Noah, and to his shock, Noah's hands left the steering wheel! The car was currently hurtling at 250 kilometers per hour. Any small mistake could lead to a fatal crash. Noah, who was responsible for driving, actually raised both hands, completely letting go of the steering wheel. Finn's eyes widened, and his two companions drew in a sharp breath. Noah looked at Finn. "Nervous?" Finn hadn't had a chance to respond when Noah suddenly raised his hand and struck the windshield above the dashboard with a powerful punch. With a bang, the windshield shattered into a spiderweb pattern. A blank expanse spread out, rendering the road ahead completely invisible. Noah looked at Finn and his companions with a cold smile. "Nervous?" Madcap, who usually prided himself on fearlessness, was now pale with fright. He pointed his gun at Noah, shouting in alarm, "You’ve gone mad! You're crazier than I am. Brake, damn it! Stop the car right now!" Noah taunted, "Are you sure?" In a frantic roar, Finn yelled, "Hit the brakes now, or I'll blow—" He didn't finish his threatening words before Noah slammed on the brakes. Noah and Pauline were both wearing their seatbelts, which proved fortunate for them. Finn and his two companions in the back seat, however, were not restrained. At such high speeds, when Noah slammed on the brakes, the immense inertia forcefully propelled Finn and his two partners toward the front. Amid the sharp, piercing sound of the brakes, the BMW swerved, spinning several times on the road. Then, with a loud crash, it plowed through the roadside barrier and tumbled into a nearby ditch. Everyone in the car was thrown about wildly, and all the safety airbags were deployed. Noah and Pauline were both wearing seatbelts and in positions that offered more protection, so they were relatively unscathed. The three men in the backseat, Finn's companions, fared much worse. Both of Finn's brothers were knocked unconscious. Finn himself, due to the tremendous inertia, was thrown through the shattered windshield, barely clinging to life. Noah had incredibly robust physical abilities. The moment the car came to a halt, he swiftly unfastened his seatbelt, turned, and snapped the necks of the two unconscious thugs in the backseat. He then opened the door and walked towards Finn, who had been flung out of the car. Finn had a strong will to live. Despite half of his body being a mangled mess, he still struggled to crawl towards the handgun that had fallen nearby. But before he could reach it, Noah was already at his side. Finn lifted his head and met Noah's fierce gaze. The look in Noah's eyes was chilling. Noah coldly stated, "I want to confirm something with you. Did Kent send you to kill me?" Finn weakly murmured, "I told you, spare me?" Noah shook his head. "No, but I'll make it quick for you." Finn gave a bitter smile and said, "Kent offered me ten million to kill you and abduct your wife to his bed." Noah lifted his foot and kicked Finn's neck, snapping it. Then, he returned to the car, gently shaking the still-unconscious Pauline. He tenderly called out, "Darling, wake up." Pauline slowly regained consciousness, immediately clutching onto Noah, crying in fear. Noah stroked her hair, soothingly saying, "Don't be afraid, it's all over. I'm here."