Master of his heart (Max and Brielle)
Chapter 1324

Ricardo found himself on a training ground, escorted there by the Professor. The place was packed with familiar faces from the base, all tanned from the relentless sun but otherwise in good spirits. These folks were no strangers to living on the edge, having undertaken countless missions in Africa before. The harsh conditions didn't faze them at all.

After all, the Professor had more than one skeleton in his closet.

Some were even carrying the heavy burden of having lost loved ones, whose remains were now in the Professor's possession.

Under normal circumstances, you'd expect resentment toward the Professor. Yet, for the time being, everyone seemed to be keeping their cool.

Ricardo only recognized a few of them; the rest were strangers. Back at the base, he was merely a tool, a weapon wielded by others, never mingling with the key players.

The Professor, all smiles, clapped Ricardo on the shoulder. "From now on, you'll train with these folks. When there's a mission, I'll let you know."

After the Professor left, Ricardo mingled with the others, picking up a rifle to start training. Yet, his thoughts were with Brielle, worrying about her safety.

Suddenly, a hand landed on his shoulder, the voice low and familiar. "Ricardo, what brings you here?"

It was Bryan, another assassin like Ricardo. While Ricardo topped the ranks, Bryan was not far behind at fifth.

Both had suffered losses. Ricardo had buried his sister with the Professor's help, while Bryan had lost the love of his life, a fellow warrior in this dangerous game.

There were rumors that Bryan was hiding his true power, possibly deserving a higher rank than fifth. Like Ricardo, Bryan had never failed a mission.

By the time Ricardo met him, Bryan's partner had already passed away, and nobody knew what she looked like. It was said that Bryan had undergone plastic surgery, making him almost unrecognizable from his former self. Unlike Ricardo, Bryan wasn't originally working for the base but had always been close to the old king, though no one knew for how long.

Now Bryan was serving the Professor, given their connection to the old king.

"Why have you always been by the old king's side?" Ricardo asked.

Bryan's expression was unreadable, a hint of surprise in his eyes before he answered. "I was raised by Fisher; it's natural I stay by his side."

He gave Ricardo's shoulder a light pat. "Now that you're here, forget any other agendas. I'm in charge, and I won't be lenient."

So, it was a warning.

Ricardo smiled. "Don't worry, I've been at the base for years. I won't cause any trouble."

Bryan's gaze sharpened, patting Ricardo's shoulder again. "You better not."

Just as Bryan was about to address the others, someone approached, informing him the king was asking for him.

Bryan entered a two-story building to find Fisher and a chieftain in a tense discussion.

The chieftain, looking displeased, confronted Fisher. "You promised a We

hospital two years ago, yet all, have are escape tunnels. Are you playing games with me?"

Fisher remained calm. "Why would I deceive you, chief? We're about to secure a fortune from the Lynch family, enough to build numerous hospitals. Just keep the villagers believing in us, and the construction will start within two months."

Fisher's eyes gleamed with cunning as he continued, "Besides, you must've noticed. People outside the fences fall ill, but those within are safe."

The chieftain fell silent, his priorities clear. In this selfish world, his own survival trumped the well-being of those beyond his immediate care content as long as they received their regular supply of medicine.