My expression was cold as ice as I pulled out my phone and dialed my father’s secretary’s number.

The moment he heard that someone had shut down not just the highway systems, but every single traffic light in Jacksboro City — just because they could — he responded without hesitation that he would dispatch the armed police immediately.

Before the call even ended, Gabriel lunged forward and snatched my phone.

“I’m talking to you and you’re over there chatting on the phone?!”

He stomped my phone under his heel until it cracked into pieces.

My eye twitched, rage burning inside me, but I held it down. The armed police would be here soon.

At that moment, two traffic police officers arrived. They greeted Gabriel politely, then walked over to me with stern expressions on their faces.

One of them lowered his voice.

“Just apologize to him. We’ll talk to him to smooth things over for you. Let’s not make this any bigger than it already is.”

I stared at them in disbelief, fury creeping into my voice. “He’s the one who is at fault. Why the hell should I apologize?”

Their expressions darkened and one of them muttered, “Sometimes… right or wrong isn’t what decides how things end.”

Before I could reply, the sound of screeching tires tore through the air. Dozens of vans came barreling down the emergency lane, ignoring traffic entirely. One by one, their doors flew open, and out came hundreds of street thugs armed with knives, bats and metal rods.

They all greeted Gabriel with respect.

“Boss!”

Gabriel puffed out his chest like an arrogant rooster, soaking up the admiration as he mocked, “Listen up, you little punk! Here in Jacksboro City, my family is the law!

“Surround him!”

At his command, the gang closed in around me. Tension was in the air.

I swept my gaze across the crowd and said calmly, “Gabriel, blocking a public highway with hundreds of armed men? This is no longer a traffic dispute. This is organized criminal activity. If you call your men off now, things might still be salvageable.”

He snarled like a dog off its leash, spitting furiously.

“Drop the act! I’ll do whatever the hell I want in Jacksboro City! You like to fight, don’t you? Well, I’ve got hundreds of guys who’ll gladly entertain you.

“And not just you! Your whole family’s going to pay for this! I’ll bury the men in the mines. As for the women? I’ll sell them off to brothels in the countryside. It’s all because of you, you little bastard!

“Hit him!”

Gabriel’s words were still echoing when the horde surged forward, weapons raised, their eyes glinting with violence.

Thwop! Thwop! Thwop! Suddenly, a deafening roar split the sky.

Several armed police helicopters thundered overhead. Their blinding white searchlights enveloped the highway, lighting up the darkness like it was broad daylight.