Chapter 10 The Arrival of Lily

Under Trash Peak, it was pouring rain with no end in sight. Thunder roared, shaking the heavens and earth. Under Trash Peak, the Trebecs's people braved the rain and ascended. Finally, beneath the tower crane, they found Devon's body. Upon seeing Devon's lifeless form, Don's hand balled into a tight fist. "Where is he?!" he bellowed, his voice causing the surrounding piles of trash to collapse. The Trebecs members could only shake their heads in response, murmuring, "We don't know. By the time we reached the top, he had already disappeared. He must have been afraid of us and escaped early!" With a furious punch, Don shattered a nearby stone into dust. Veins of red marred his eyes. "Search every inch of this place. We must locate him!" The Trebecs members scattered quickly, creating turmoil throughout Netherwood. Even the city's guards found themselves on high alert like never before. Joshua Sanders, who leads Netherwood's patrol, connected with Don over the phone swiftly. "Don, think carefully about your actions, avoid rash decisions." Joshua voiced his concerns, yet his words seemed to have little effect on Don's fury. "We're searching for someone," Don responded icily. Joshua cautioned, "In search of someone? If that's the case, our patrol team can assist. However, rallying such a large group disrupts the peace. Don't force me to intervene." Don responded with a scoff, "Force you? Do you really think you're qualified?" Typically, Don would have a sense of caution toward Joshua. However, today was different because of the reawakening of the Black Dragon Springs. They considered a patrol tower in Netherwood, but there was nothing in their eyes. Don ended the call abruptly and positioned himself atop Trash Peak. With a loud voice fueled by anger, he declared, "Everyone, the Trebecs will not stand for this humiliation! To harm my son is to slap the face of our entire family. Today, with the reawakening of the Black Dragon Springs, we shall have Netherwood pay the price!" Chants from the Trebecs members rose at the base of the waste hill. "Make them pay!" "Make them pay!" "Make them pay!" Don roared again, "Today, I will make him pay with blood! All those involved will be executed!" The Trebecs's people were stirred up. Their shouting resonated through the sky. "Blood for blood!" "Blood for blood!" "Execute them all!" The cries escalated, with each Trebec member resembling a fierce tiger and wolf. In the distance, someone clad in Trebec's attire called out, "Mr. Trebec, we've found a wooden house here." Narrowing his eyes, Don made his way towards the wooden house. Scattered around the wooden house's exterior were shattered bowls and recently discarded rubbish. It was clear that it had been someone's home for many years. A slight smile crossed Don's face. "So, that wretched woman and her daughter have been staying here comfortably, huh?" With a forceful kick, Don burst through the cabin door. However, Sadie and Lily were nowhere to be found inside. All that the cabin held was an old man who was curled up in a corner. Clutching a bowl of thin porridge with few grains floating in it, he trembled so violently that the soup began to spill over. Don seized the old man's frail arm. "Get on your feet," he demanded. Then, he lifted the old man with his burly body and threw him directly towards the Trash Peak outside the door. "Where are Sadie and that little b*tch?" Don got straight to the point. The old man knew how terrifying Don was. Just five years ago, Devon had almost forced Sadie to death. Furthermore, Devon's arrogance was fueled by wielding Don's influence. With a slow shake of his head, the old man replied, "Sadie? Who's that? I ... I don't know her. I'm merely here to collect garbage." Don was not one to wait patiently. He pulled out the knife beside him and stabbed the old man directly in the stomach. "Is your memory better now?" Blood poured from the mouth of the old man. Only fear was present in his gaze. His frame shook even more intensely. Yet, with clenched teeth, he insisted, "I really don't know." Don adjusted his neck, producing a snap sound. At this moment, a few muscular men armed with metal rods approached, standing beside Don. "Let us assist in jogging his memory, Mr. Trebec. Please take a moment to rest," they offered. The old man bent over and dragged himself across the floor. He persistently moved backwards, seeking escape. Finding himself trapped in a corner, he had no further retreat. His body quivered uncontrollably, yet he refused to yield. The clang of steel pipes resonated from the heap of refuse. "Don't think your tough words fool me; I know your kindness towards that mother and her child. Your silence won't protect you. I still have ways to find out." With a sinister grin, Don pulled out his phone and dialled Tessa. It was the first time Tessa had received a call from Don. Don was a man of considerable influence, someone Tessa knew not to cross. With a courteous laugh, Tessa greeted, "Mr. Trebec, to what do I owe the pleasure of your call today?" Without beating around the bush, Don instructed, "Tessa, find a way immediately to tell Sadie and her daughter that we have that old man in our hands." Tessa was quick; it was clear why Don was seeking Sadie and her daughter. The news of Devon's death had been broadcast on television. With a charming smile, Tessa assured, "Mr. Trebec, worry not. I'll take care of everything perfectly." Once the call ended, Tessa contacted Sadie using the old contact number five years ago. Lily picked up the phone. Tessa's voice softened as she inquired, "Lily, darling, where might you be right now?" Lily kept silent; despite her youth, she was aware of Tessa's dubious nature. With a sigh, Tessa spoke, "My dear Lily, aren't you aware? The Sugarmans are eager to welcome you and your mother back. From now on, you won't have to suffer anymore." This caught Lily's interest. Could this mean the end of rummaging through trash? Yet, she chose to remain quiet. Tessa revealed her intentions. "I just visited Trash Peak to share this wonderful news. I even brought your beloved teddy bear. But when I arrived, I saw that old man being beaten up." Lily had a kind heart. For five years, this old man had looked after her and her mother. He meant more to them than just a relative; he was family. Compelled, Lily finally queried, "What's become of Grandpa?" Realising Lily's concern, Tessa claimed, "He's had a fall, breaking an arm, and it's likely fatal. Where are you? I'll come to get you." Grandpa is dying? Grandpa had been Lily's guardian since childhood, closer to her than a biological grandparent. But she was now in a military hospital, which Tessa couldn't access. Manipulating a child seemed all too simple for an adult. Tessa called over the phone, "Never mind, just remain in the hospital. He's only an old man picking up trash." Then, without another word, Tessa ended the call. A wave of sorrow washed over Lily; she bit her lip firmly. Grandpa couldn't leave them. She had bragged to Grandpa that when her father came back, they would be a family. The old man never dismissed the words of children. He had dedicated five years to caring for Lily and Sadie, asking for nothing in return. Yet Lily was tearfully pleading for the old man to survive. She began to climb out of her hospital bed, weakly dragging herself, tears streaming as she ran toward the trash heap. "Grandpa, please hold on. "Grandpa, Lily is on her way to you now."