Chapter 326

Peter was convinced that Hadley and his crew had stashed Jasper away, which was why he couldn't track him down. Peter's cockiness, fueled by his connections to the Williams Family, was pretty obvious.

Being the head of the big four families, a bit of arrogance was expected.

But Peter's attitude really got under Hadley, Jay, and Tanner's skin.

Tanner brushed off Hadley's grumbling and stepped up, jabbing a finger at Peter's face, "Got any proof we're hiding him, or are you just making stuff up? We've got limited people and cars. Go ahead, search if you want. If you come up empty, I'll blow your brains out."

Tanner's fiery temper made Peter's face darken instantly.

Peter slowly raised his gun. Tanner, just as stubborn, lifted his own gun and aimed it right at Peter's head.

The tension in the air was thick.

"Even if you've got more people, so what? We've got enough too! Hadley, Jay, let's take Peter down together." Tanner's lips curled into a cold smile, trying to rally his buddies.

But Hadley and Jay didn't back him up. Instead, they stepped back, acting like they didn't even know him.

"What the hell are you guys doing?" Tanner was fuming at his friends' reaction.

Peter sneered, "Looks like your buddies don't want to back you up."

Tanner, red with rage, shouted, "Why are you two doing this? Have you forgotten our family's leader said we're allies now?"

Jay and Hadley just rolled their eyes.

"Tanner, if anyone ever calls you brainless, count me in. You really thought dragging our ally into this mess was a good idea? What are you thinking?" Hadley said sarcastically.

Tanner's face got even redder, and he looked like he wanted to shoot Hadley.

Jay, more calmly, said, "Tanner, why'd you have to rile up Peter for nothing? The fact is, we haven't found Jasper. If he doesn't trust us. If he doesn't believe us, let him search. And we would find nothing. We can't give him what we don't have. Why stir the pot now? Can't you see we're already on the back foot?"

Tanner's face fell, while Peter looked confused.

"Wait, you really haven't found Jasper?" Peter asked, eyeing everyone suspiciously.

Jay shrugged. "We really haven't found Jasper. If you don't believe us, go ahead and search. We don't mind."

Peter frowned, but he was beginning to trust Jay because of his calm demeanor.

Seeing Peter's doubt, Jay stepped forward, positioning himself between Peter and Tanner.

"Alright, guys, let's put the guns down. Why don't we think about why four scavengers came to us at the same time to sell out Jasper's whereabouts? Doesn't that seem fishy to you?" Jay said to the group.

With Jay playing peacemaker, the tension eased, and Peter and Tanner slowly lowered their guns.

Peter frowned and said, "Are you saying someone's trying to mess with us? But who'd have the guts to go after the four major families?"

Jay shook his head. "I'm not sure, but if that scavenger's photo is legit, it means Jasper was here. The fact that we can't find him is weird."

Hadley glanced at the abandoned warehouse, hesitating. "You think there might be a hidden room in there?"

As soon as Hadley said it, the other three guys were stunned.

Peter waved to his crew. "Search thoroughly and see if there's a hidden room."

Hadley and his men headed into the warehouse, with Jay and Tanner right behind them.

Inside the hidden room, Jasper heard the noise outside gradually fade, thinking they'd left. But just as he started to relax, he heard even louder footsteps, more people than before.

Jasper thought, 'Are these guys nuts? It's just a rundown warehouse. You can see there's nothing here. Why are they still searching?' He was worried sick they might figure out there was a hidden room.

Trembling, Jasper pulled out his gun, nervously eyeing the door. This was his last resort. If the cars behind him were found by the four major families, they wouldn't spare him. He was doomed.

Even though the warehouse was big, with so many people searching, they were bound to find something odd.

Soon, someone noticed a spot on a shelf that looked like it had been touched a lot.

"Mr. Jade, this part seems a bit off," someone reported to Peter.

Peter walked over, with Hadley and the others following.

Peter saw that this part was cleaner than the rest, which were covered in dust.

Peter smirked, grabbing and turning the part.

As Peter moved his hand, a hidden door slowly opened, revealing the hidden room.

Everyone's eyes were glued to the entrance, and Jasper felt a wave of despair.

"Damn bastards, I'll fight you to the end!" Desperate, Jasper pulled the trigger, firing wildly.

Bullets hit two unlucky guys, but most were dodged.

Peter shot Jasper's gun, knocking it out of his hand. Hadley and the others started firing back.

Their aim was way better than Jasper's, each shot hitting his limbs.

Jasper collapsed, blood pouring from his wounds, pain searing through his limbs, unable to move. He knew he wouldn't die now; what awaited him was endless torture.

"Damn it! What have I done to deserve this? Why give me hope and then take it away? I've given up everything. Why can't you let me live out the rest of my life in peace?" Jasper shouted in despair.