Chapter 12: On the Brink of Conflict

"Lucy, I admit that what happened back then was my fault. I abandoned you and deceived you, but I'm not the same person I was," Joseph's voice was calm, carrying an undeniable confidence. "I hope you'll give me a chance and trust me." Lucy was momentarily stunned. "I understand your intentions, but do you realize how terrifying Jackson and Johnson are?" "That doesn't matter. All that matters is that you believe I can bring you happiness." But Lucy wasn't interested in discussing this. "Joseph, listen to me. You need to leave!" "That's not possible." Joseph replied calmly. "If I leave, what will happen to you and our daughter? Don't you think I know? If I don't deal with the Johnson family thoroughly, it would mean I lost this battle!" Lucy tried to continue, but Joseph's tone remained steady. "After I eliminate their entire family, I'll take you and our daughter away from here." Joseph hung up the phone calmly, and Lucy, in a panic, called back. But she found the phone had been turned off! Lucy was completely at a loss, unsure of how to handle this situation. The current situation was that Joseph's attitude was exceptionally resolute, and Lucy could sense his determination. Lucy knew full well how terrifying Johnson and his men were. She knew that Joseph couldn't possibly deal with them alone. If Joseph really went against those people now, it was likely that his entire family would be destroyed. Lucy didn't know how to handle this situation, but just then, there was a loud banging on the door. Bang! It was Beelzebub. She had just overheard Lucy's phone call outside, worried that Lucy might do something harmful to Joseph. But now it seemed she had overthought things. Seeing Beelzebub, Lucy anxiously said, "I remember you and Joseph seem to be... colleagues, right? Can you help me talk to Joseph, persuade him, and tell him this is very dangerous?" Her pitiful expression left Beelzebub stunned. Colleagues? In a sense, her Reaper identity might indeed be considered a colleague. "Ms. Lucy, please rest assured, nothing you worry about will happen because Mr. Joseph is very powerful. He is far stronger than you can imagine." Hearing these words, Lucy looked entirely unconvinced. "I don't care how powerful he is, I care about his life! If something really happens to him, then..." Beelzebub smiled slightly. "You're overthinking this." At the same time, Saul was on his way to Joseph. "What's the current situation?" "Jackson and his men are bringing nearly hundreds of people to confront Joseph!" Despite knowing Joseph was formidable, Saul couldn't help but worry about what might happen. Thinking of this, Saul immediately contacted the Los Angeles headquarters, instructing them to deploy key FBI personnel. "You must help resolve this... wait!" Just as he finished speaking, Saul remembered the nature of the FBI. What if these people inadvertently provoked Mr. Joseph? "You all stay put until I arrive!" Saul was truly troubled. "Report! Mr. Saul, we've received news that Jackson's men are bringing weapons!" Bringing weapons? Their intentions were now clear! They were planning to kill! This couldn't happen! "Hurry! Protect Mr. Joseph in advance!" Saul believed that Joseph could certainly defeat these people. Because Joseph was not an ordinary person. The reason Saul wanted to intercept them before the war started was simply to keep the situation within the safest possible bounds. Joseph was a Reaper! A child of Hell! The reason Saul trusted Joseph so much was because he had heard a story about a Los Angeles team that was nearly annihilated during an overseas mission. Suddenly, they saw a squad from Hell. Upon learning they were from Los Angeles, the Hell organization casually saved them! A few members of the Hell organization were stronger than their entire team of hundreds! How could someone with such immense power easily fall into trouble? Because of this, Saul, following Kyle's instructions, was fully prepared. No matter what happened, Joseph must not be harmed! He was willing to risk his life to protect Joseph! Likewise, he aimed to protect Los Angeles and Joseph's efforts! "Speed up! We must reach Joseph before Jackson's men do!" Meanwhile, hundreds of black cars were driving into the slums. Many people watched curiously. "Who are these people?" "Look at the things on their cars. They must be Jackson and Johnson's men." "Gangsters? What are they doing in our slums!" "Looking for Tom?" "I doubt it. They look like they're ready for a fight!" Susan and her father Jerry were standing by the window. They also witnessed the scene. "It's over. The slums are going to be flattened by them." "Everything is over now!" Susan anxiously watched the scene outside. "What should we do now! I just wanted to help Lucy. I didn't expect so many things to happen! I..." Her tears were uncontrollable. She looked very pitiful, like a dam had broken. "If Lucy blames me, what should I do? I only wanted to help her, I..." If Joseph could kill Johnson... no, Joseph couldn't kill Johnson! Susan watched the scene with a heavy heart. "If Joseph gets killed, Lucy won't escape either. It's all over, all over!" Jerry sighed deeply beside her. "You shouldn't have opposed Tom from the start! Now, not only are you going to die, but we're also..."