CHAPTER 297: CHAPTER 297 WALKING INTO THE LION’S DEN II

Dickson slid smoothly into the driver’s seat, the luxury of the Cullinan fitting him a little too perfectly. He adjusted the rearview mirror with a flick of his fingers, then glanced at Liam and Vanessa settling into the back seat.

The car was dead silent for a moment.

Then the engine roared to life with a low purr, smooth and silent like a predator waking up. The dashboard lit up in white and silver. Ambient lighting along the sides glowed softly, giving the interior a cool, futuristic tone.

Dickson adjusted the collar of his suit dramatically, then said with a grin, "So, Liam’s tonight’s Romeo, Vanessa’s Juliet... what does that make me?"

Liam didn’t miss a beat. He leaned back casually in the seat, eyes focused straight ahead. "You’re the driver."

Dickson froze.

"...The driver?" he echoed. There was a long pause, and then: "THE DRIVER?"

He turned around in his seat so fast the seatbelt cut into his shoulder. "Are you fucking kidding me? I wore a tux for this! A five thousand dollar tux! You said I was in for something interesting!"

Liam shrugged with a smirk. "Driving is interesting."

Dickson opened his mouth to argue, then stopped himself. He groaned, dragged a hand down his face, and slumped forward like someone just canceled his birthday.

Vanessa stifled a laugh.

But Liam wasn’t looking at either of them. His eyes had darted to the side and stayed there.

Vanessa.

The way she sat beside him made the luxury seats seem unworthy. The curve of her breasts threatened the seams of the dress with every small breath. Her bare shoulders shimmered faintly under the moonlight pouring through the car window.

Liam forced himself to look away. This was a mission. Not a date.

The Cullinan glided down the night road, the ride so smooth it was like floating. The streets were quiet, lined with trees and silent buildings. The city lights faded as they climbed uphill toward an elite district—an area Liam didn’t even know existed.

Dickson stayed unusually quiet during the drive, arms resting lazily on the steering wheel but his expression flat. Every few seconds, he glanced up into the rearview mirror, catching brief glimpses of Liam and Vanessa sitting like royalty in the backseat.

He didn’t speak again until they reached the destination.

"...Wait, this is it?" he asked, slowing down.

Before them stood a massive estate. Not a shadowy warehouse. An actual mansion.

Liam leaned forward slightly to get a better look. The entire building was glowing under warm golden lights, towering with three floors, columns in the front, and at least twenty luxury vehicles parked across a wide semi-circular driveway. Marble statues lined the entry path. There were visible security cameras in every corner. And yet, it wasn’t tucked away in the shadows.

It was out in the open.

"Is it just me," Liam muttered, "or does this not feel like a top-secret criminal meeting?"

"This is like something out of a billionaire wedding," Dickson muttered, tightening his grip on the wheel. "This isn’t shady. This is classy. They really said ’crime but make it luxury.’"

As they approached the large wrought-iron gates, two suited guards stepped forward, one of them holding up a hand.

"Stop the vehicle."

Dickson slowed to a crawl and came to a full stop. He casually hit the switch to roll down the window, not even trying to hide his face. Why would he? No one gave a damn about the driver.

One of the guards leaned slightly in. "Invitation?"

Vanessa, calm and collected, handed the sleek envelope forward without speaking. Dickson accepted it and pushed it out through the window with all the enthusiasm of a man delivering a pizza.

The guard scanned the envelope and the embedded chip inside with a device clipped to his belt. A beep. Then another. After a few seconds, the screen flashed green.

"Verified," the guard said. "Welcome, Mr. Maddox and Ms. Vale."

He stepped back and motioned for the gate to open. It groaned slightly as it moved, revealing the full splendor of the estate inside.

Dickson rolled the window back up with a sigh and muttered, "I don’t know why I even bothered brushing my hair tonight."

The Cullinan rolled forward through the gate, the driveway winding around a perfectly trimmed garden with fountains and uplighting that gave everything a surreal, fairytale feel.

From the backseat, Dickson spoke again, quieter this time. "So, what’s the play here? This is enemy territory. And we’re just... showing up?"

Liam didn’t take his eyes off the mansion as it loomed closer. "We’re not here to fight. Just observe. See what they’re planning. What they’re building."

Dickson raised his eyebrows and glanced at them through the mirror. "That sounds fun."

Vanessa didn’t speak, but her fingers were already moving, checking something on the burner phone tucked discreetly in her clutch. Her entire body was calm, controlled—but her mind was clearly racing.

Dickson pulled into the open valet area of the front entrance. Uniformed attendants waited to take the car, all masked, all polished. It felt more like a high-end gala than a villainous summit.

He put the car in park and looked back at Liam one more time. "Hey. You sure you’re ready for this?"

Liam met his gaze through the mirror. "Always ready".

Dickson gave him a small nod and leaned back in his seat. "Well, enjoy the party, lovebirds. I’ll just be out here. Alone. In this million-dollar cage. Probably catching mosquitoes."

Vanessa opened her door first, stepping out like a movie star on the red carpet, her gown catching the wind.

Liam followed behind her, adjusting the cuffs of his white suit as the valet reached for the car door. He looked at Dickson one last time before walking away.

"Keep the engine warm," he said. "We might need a fast exit."

Dickson gave him a mocking smile, "You can just jump your way outta here"

Liam shook his head as he looked away.

Vanessa’s eyes scanned the crowd as they stepped closer to the grand entrance. She noticed immediately, every couple was tightly paired. Arm in arm. Hand in hand. Close. There was an unspoken rule about it. Appear unified. Appear connected. Appear... in love.

She hesitated for only half a second before slipping her hand into Liam’s.

Liam’s brows lifted slightly at the sudden contact, but his face stayed composed. He looked down briefly at her fingers wrapped around his palm, then smiled softly and kept walking. Together, they strode into the mansion like they belonged there.

The moment they stepped through the polished double doors, Liam felt it. The atmosphere.

It hit him like a subtle wave pressure without weight. Suspicion without sound. It reminded him eerily of the night he was initiated into the Black Lotus. The same tension. The same energy in the air. Everyone here was masked. Everyone was standing in twos or threes. Quiet conversation, stiff postures, eyes darting behind masks. But this time, it was worse.

No one trusted anyone here.

No camaraderie. No brotherhood. No shared vision. This wasn’t a gathering of allies it was a negotiation among predators, each one waiting to see who would draw first blood.

Liam’s eyes shifted from one group to another. Every smile was fake. Every touch of the shoulder was calculated. This wasn’t a party. This was a battlefield disguised in champagne and candlelight.

Vanessa leaned in slightly, whispering close to his ear, "Let’s keep moving. They might be looking."

Liam nodded and turned toward her. "Do you want something to drink?"

She gave a light nod. "Sure. Something sweet."

"I’ll be right back. Don’t move."

Liam gently let her hand slip from his, then turned and walked away toward the bar. Behind him, he could feel her stillness her poise. She blended well, calm and elegant, standing with an effortless grace even under the scrutinizing gazes.

When Liam reached the bar, his steps slowed.

He froze for a half second.

The bartender.He recognized the man instantly.

It was the same one from this morning. The same man Liam had driven his leg into and cracked hard across the neck. And yet... here he was. Alive. Working. Smiling.

The bartender caught Liam’s stare and tilted his head.

"You alright, sir?"

Liam shook it off instantly, his face blank again. "Yeah. Sorry. Just... familiar face."

The bartender chuckled as he grabbed a pair of clean glasses. "What can I get you?"

"Two of the same," Liam said casually. "Something sweet. For my wife."

The man paused, looked up with a slight grin, and started mixing.

"Wife, huh?" he said conversationally as he moved with practiced hands. "You’re doing well for yourself."

Liam leaned one elbow on the bar, his voice cool. "Trying to."

The bartender nodded toward Vanessa, who was still standing across the room—only now, she wasn’t alone.

Two men had approached her. Both young. Mid-twenties. One was tall and lean, his jawline sharp and his suit a little too flashy. The other was more athletic, with a relaxed, cocky air about him. Liam could tell instantly from their posture—they were flirting. And failing.

Vanessa didn’t step back or raise her voice, but her arms were folded now. Her body language said everything. Cold. Dismissive. Uninterested. But still, they kept talking. Probably thinking persistence was charm.

The bartender slid both drinks across the polished bar toward Liam.

"You might wanna help her out," he said, still smiling.

Liam looked back at Vanessa and took a slow breath.

She hadn’t even looked toward him.

He picked up both drinks, gave the bartender a small smile, and said calmly:

"She can handle herself."