The moment the suited man stepped into the church, he felt it.
Something was off.
Dozens of eyes turned toward him at once.
It nearly made his legs give out.
Aside from the rescued women, everyone else in the room was a gang boss—people who could rally men to storm a police station if they wanted.
The pressure in the air was suffocating.
He was just an employee.
A small one.
Stark Industries, New York branch.
Sure, it sounded impressive.
But right now?
That didn't mean anything.
When he saw all the luxury cars outside, he thought this was some kind of high-end gathering.
If he could close a deal here, it would look great on his record.
Now?
This wasn't a business meeting.
This was a room full of predators.
He quietly swallowed and dropped any trace of arrogance.
No job was worth getting shot over.
"…Hi."
His voice came out dry as he scanned the room.
Then he locked onto the one person sitting above everyone else.
Anqiluo.
"Sir," he said carefully, choosing his words. "Are you the owner of this church? Would you consider selling it?"
Anqiluo looked at him, slightly surprised.
"And you are?"
Some of the gang bosses who had been about to leave sat back down.
This was suddenly more interesting.
"My name is Hayden Walker," the man said, keeping his tone respectful. "I work for Stark Industries' New York office. We're prepared to offer five million dollars for this property."
Anqiluo laughed.
If this guy had shown up yesterday, he might have sold it.
He had bought the place for less than two hundred thousand.
But now?
This morning alone—
He had made twenty-five million.
This church wasn't just a building anymore.
It was a gold mine.
And Stark Industries?
Tony Stark's company.
That rich bastard.
"Not for sale," Anqiluo said, shaking his head. "Fifty million minimum."
In his mind, this was how it would go.
Five million rejected.
Then ten.
Then twenty.
But reality had other plans.
Hayden just nodded.
Disappointed.
Then turned and walked out.
Anqiluo blinked.
Wait.
That's it?
He opened his mouth, about to say something—
Then stopped.
Too many eyes in the room.
At least try to negotiate…
The problem was simple.
Tony Stark might throw money around like nothing.
But Hayden?
He was just an employee.
Five million was already the maximum he'd been authorized to offer.
Outside, Hayden got into his car and left Hell's Kitchen as fast as possible.
Only after putting some distance between himself and that place did he make the call.
"Sir," he said into the phone, "the owner refused. He's asking for at least fifty million."
Back in the church, the gang bosses lost interest.
No deal.
No show.
They got up and left one by one.
Anqiluo watched them go.
Slightly disappointed.
But not enough to matter.
He still had twenty-five "gold mines" walking around.
His plan was simple.
Wait until they were gone.
Rent a bus.
Get the women out of Hell's Kitchen.
Everyone left.
Except one.
Alexei.
He sat there, looking oddly devout.
Sneaking glances at Anqiluo.
Anqiluo clicked his tongue, annoyed, and jumped down from the platform.
He lit another cigar and walked over.
"Alexei," he said flatly, "are you done?"
Alexei nodded seriously.
"No. I feel… called."
Anqiluo stared at him.
Then laughed.
"Cut it out. Say what you want. I've got things to do."
He wasn't about to throw him out.
Not after a million-dollar "donation."
And it was obvious—
Alexei had something to say.
Alexei grinned and leaned closer.
"Priest… what are you doing later? Maybe I can help."
Anqiluo thought for a moment.
Then pointed toward the women.
"I'm getting a bus. Taking them to Chinatown. There's a group there that can help them."
He had heard about them.
They protected their own.
In a place like this, that mattered.
Alexei raised an eyebrow.
So the money they just handed over—
Was going to be used like this?
"…I know someone there," he said. "I'll call my people. Get a bus. I'll take you myself."
He pulled out his phone and made the call.
Anqiluo watched him quietly.
Only speaking once the arrangements were made.
"What do you really want?"
He didn't believe this for a second.
Men like Alexei didn't suddenly grow a conscience.
Alexei chuckled.
"I told you. I feel… called."
A bone staff appeared in Anqiluo's hand.
He stepped closer.
Voice cold.
"Try again."
A pause.
"Or I shove this up your ass."