Thug and Idol: 10X Rewards Second Identity System

Chapter 141: Upon return

Next day.

Tristan spent most of the ride from Los Angeles listening to music and pretending to be asleep. The ride jostled his bruise and all the scratches hidden under his shirt, and although he could stomach the pain and pretend that all was well, he was conserving energy.

Derek accepted Tristan's explanation about the escaped security team (delivered with absolute conviction), but had been in a worse mood since then.

Nelson was just sad to say goodbye to Los Angeles, although he was already dreaming about returning there permanently, and soon.

Upon arrival, Tristan escaped all responsibilities related to stardom as soon as he could.

He had more time-sensitive things to deal with.

***

There were many people who had been waiting to see Hayes in person again.

It was evening when he stepped inside the Good Lion Bar. There were a dozen visitors at the time, and their conversations paused for a moment as people dealt with their surprise. Even the pianist hired to replace Tristan Gemello missed a key because he turned to look at Tristan.

Tristan nodded to the people he knew personally on his way to the office. He could've come from the back, but this was a show—he was showing these people that he was back in the city.

But he stayed there only for long enough to give Kevin the most vital instructions, and hear from him the report of the most important things that happened on the last day.

And something happened, something that put a wide smile on Tristan's face.

Then he left again.

***

The next place Tristan visited was a basement under one of his properties ("his" inside the gang—technically, this one was owned by a fake person who didn't even exist).

It was a small place, with bare concrete walls, a single light bulb on the ceiling, and the floor covered in plastic tarp. Despite the latter, one could spot speckles of old dried blood on the walls.

A classic torture basement.

In short—Leon was going to have questions for Hayes. Lethal questions. And Whitman was going to come out on top, because Hayes was too reasonable and ambitious to just kill him.

Tristan Hayes watched all those thoughts flash in Whitman's eyes. His reasoning was easy to understand.

Despite that, Tristan smiled.

Whitman frowned, and Tristan smiled even wider.

He even chuckled.

"You think that you already won, Whitman, but what you don't know... is that you already lost. Lost so much that I don't even need you alive anymore. The only reason I brought you here is an execution."

Tristan pulled out a gun and offered it to Martinez. The man took it and stared at Tristan in confusion.

"I'm not going to believe your bluff, Hayes! If you kill me, the boss will shoot you like a mad dog! You can't just betray the organization by attacking its members unprovoked!"

"A lot of things happened between yesterday and today. Whitman, Mr. Clavon's investigators got to your personal files in your absence and dug out your link with the Los Angeles police. They were, as it turned out, competent people. Now there's a target put on YOUR head."

Whitman stared at Tristan, pale and wide-eyed.

"You are bluffing."

"What? They did! Glorious bastards..." Martinez clutched the gun tighter and aimed it at Whitman. He paused to glance at Tristan.

Tristan nodded.

"Go to the deepest Hell, where even I won't see you ever again," Martinez said, pressing the trigger three times in succession.

Even with shaking hands, at least one shot hit something vital in Whitman's chest. When the man fell to the ground and the quiet returned, Tristan turned to Martinez.

"This was just the beginning. Next stop—the complete takeover. Try to rest for that night, at least. I need you alive tomorrow."

To subdue Leon Clavon.