Chapter 379: X-Guard

After wrapping up a few final matters in the office, Ethan left Wright Group without lingering.

Night had already fallen over Nevalis City, the glass towers reflecting streaks of neon and traffic lights like restless stars.

Outside, his driver, Isaac, was already waiting, holding the back door of the black Maybach open.

“Sir, are we going home?” Isaac asked respectfully.

Ethan paused, loosening the top button of his shirt. “Give me your key. I’ll drive myself. You can go back first.”

Isaac froze. “B–But, boss, you need a guard to accompany you. It’s a weekday, and—”

Ethan’s gaze sharpened. Not angry. Just offended.

“Did you forget who I am?” he asked calmly. “Or are you insulting my ability to protect myself?”

Isaac stiffened like a soldier facing execution. He immediately handed over the keys with a slight bow.

“I don’t dare, sir.”

Ethan took the keys. “Go home. Tell the maid there’s no need to wait for me. I won’t return until midnight.”

“Yes, sir.” Isaac exhaled in quiet relief and hurried away as if afraid Ethan might change his mind and assign him extra work.

Ethan slid into the driver’s seat. The engine purred to life. Within seconds, the car shot forward, cutting through the city’s evening traffic like a blade.

His destination lay far from the bustling heart of Nevalis. Beyond the polished skyline and luxury districts, near the city border, sat an area most citizens never noticed. No bright signs. No advertising boards. Just a vast industrial compound hidden behind tall steel fences.

X-Guard.

On the surface, X-Guard was a prestigious private security company. They provided elite protection for wealthy families, politicians, celebrities, and anyone who could afford safety measured in millions.

But beneath that polished façade existed something else.

A shadow division.

A secret organization of mercenaries who accepted assignments never recorded on paper. Investigations that crossed legal lines. Retrieval operations no one wanted traced. Hunts that ended with someone vanishing without explanation. And, when necessary, assassinations were carried out so cleanly that even rumors struggled to survive.

This hidden branch did not exist in any public record. Officially, X-Guard was only security.

Unofficially, it was a blade in the dark.

Only a handful of people knew the truth. Fewer still knew its connection to Wright Group. Ethan was one of them. Though he no longer involved himself in daily operations, he remained the ultimate authority above it all.

And tonight, he needed that blade.

By the time he reached the basecamp, darkness had settled fully over the compound. Floodlights lined the perimeter. Armed guards stood at checkpoints. Cameras tracked every movement.

Ethan parked right at the entrance.

The moment he stepped out, a tall figure approached, boots crunching on gravel.

“Boss E…?” London, one of the field team leaders, stared at him in surprise. “It’s rare to see you here in person. Did something happen?”

Ethan straightened his jacket. “Yes. I need to meet Renata.” His voice was calm, controlled. “Are you on a mission?”

London shook his head. “Just finished one. Heading home now.” Then he tilted his head, smirking slightly. “Should I pretend I didn’t see you here tonight?”

Ethan’s lips curved faintly. “I’d appreciate your excellent memory loss.”

London chuckled. “Understood. Rena is inside. Meeting with the others.”

“Chat later, London,” Ethan said, already moving forward.

“Yes, boss. Try not to start a war without inviting us,” London answered lightly.

Ethan didn’t look back, but his smile deepened just a fraction. He pushed open the heavy steel doors and stepped inside.

And just in time, Renata stepped out from one of the meeting rooms.

“Boss E?” she called.

Ethan turned toward her, hands in his pockets, expression unreadable.

Renata didn’t waste time asking why he was there. If Ethan Wright showed up at X-Guard in person, something was already burning. She simply tilted her head toward the inner corridor. “Follow me.”

She led him through biometric doors, down a quiet hallway lined with security panels and red indicator lights.

Her office sat at the far end, glass walls tinted dark enough to offer privacy without secrecy.

Renata set a thick file on the coffee table before dropping into the armchair across from the sofa. Ethan sat without being invited, one leg crossed over the other, eyes fixed on her.

“You didn’t come all the way here just to admire my beauty, did you?” Renata asked lightly, a teasing curve to her lips. “Boss?” she called again when Ethan didn’t react to her humor.

He shook his head, pulling himself out of thought. “No. I need you to send someone to manage the logistics problem for Wright Group in Velden.”

Renata blinked. “Velden?”

“Yes.” Ethan’s voice sharpened. “M Group is interfering with our shipments there.”

Renata leaned back, studying him. Ethan Wright rarely raised his voice, but when his tone dropped to that level, it meant patience had expired.

“I won’t be polite with them anymore,” Ethan continued. “This time, there will be no warning. Settle them. If necessary…kill them.”

There was no hesitation in his voice. No doubt. No ornamented threat. Just a simple statement.

Renata nodded once, expression cool and composed. “I agree with you this time. I don’t want them underestimating us because we went easy on them in Grayenfall City.”

“Exactly.” Ethan exhaled through a short chuckle. “We treated them like annoying flies. Now they think they’re eagles.”

“Poor flies. They should’ve stayed dead.” Renata smiles.

Ethan’s lips curved slightly, but his gaze remained sharp. “There’s more. M Group has police corruption backing them.”

“Tsk, tsk. Boss… a few corrupted officers are barely an inconvenience for us. Don’t worry. My team knows how to clean a floor without leaving footprints.”

“Clean and fast,” Ethan said. “We can’t afford to lose clients.”

“You know I won’t disappoint you.” Renata’s smile turned proud and confident.

But then it slowly faded. Her brows drew together, a strategist’s instinct surfacing beneath her calm exterior.

“Wait,” she said, tapping her finger against her chin. “Why is M Group messing with us again?”

“Because they’re stupid.”

“That’s too simple,” Renata replied.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep