“You failed to complete the task because of your own incompetence,” Feng Jin said coldly. She could tell the other party was trying to use this as an excuse to squeeze more benefits out of her.

With a slight furrow of her elegant brows, she continued, “I didn’t call you here to hear complaints. If you can get the job done, everything will be fine. If not, then don’t blame me for being ruthless.”

“That woman is too vicious. A few of my brothers got the worst of it. If you still want us to go after her, the price needs to double,” the thug leader demanded bluntly, knowing Feng Jin had little patience. He decided to cut straight to the point.

Feng Jin was equally direct. Without showing any emotion, she replied, “If you meet my requirements, price is not an issue.”

Hearing the response he wanted, the thug leader finally looked satisfied.

At that moment, one of his lackeys rushed in and reported, “Boss, the boys called—they said they were a step too late, and the girl got away.”

“Got away?!” The thug leader roared, slamming the phone down in fury. “She escaped, and you couldn’t even give chase?”

“The guys did try to follow her, but there were two cars, and we don’t know which one she’s in!” the lackey said helplessly.

“Dammit!” The thug leader’s face darkened as he gritted his teeth and barked, “Gather all the brothers and come with me. Let’s handle this personally!”

Meanwhile, Wang Xiaoke and Chu Cheng had switched cars to throw off their pursuers. However, within moments, five or six cars were back on their trail. It was clear the thugs had called for reinforcements.

Both of them sped up, but the pursuers clung to them like glue. For over ten minutes, the chase continued with cars speeding through the roads, yet the thugs wouldn’t fall behind.

As the gap between them closed, Wang Xiaoke’s brows furrowed in concentration.

Chu Cheng called her, his voice steady but urgent. “Xiaoke, we can’t keep this up.”

“I know,” Wang Xiaoke replied, understanding the situation. Her eyes scanned the road ahead before she quickly suggested, “Senior Chu, there’s a fork in the road ahead. I’ll take the left, and you go right.”

“No way. They’re after you. The right road leads directly back to Xinyun City. You take the right,” Chu Cheng said firmly, his thoughts mirroring hers.

Wang Xiaoke’s intention was to keep him out of this mess. Chu Cheng didn’t need to get involved, let alone risk himself for her. She immediately rejected his suggestion. “That’s not happening. I’m the one who dragged you into this, and I must ensure your safety. Otherwise, I won’t be able to live with myself.”

“I’m a man—I don’t need a girl protecting me. Just listen to me. I can only feel at ease if I know you’re safe.”

While he appreciated her concern, Chu Cheng couldn’t stand by and let the girl he liked face danger alone.

“Besides,” he added, trying to sound lighthearted, “since they’re after you, if they realize I’m in your car, they might just give up.”

Wang Xiaoke, however, wasn’t one to follow conventional rules. Where most girls might show vulnerability or gratitude at such a moment, she was completely different.

Her car suddenly roared forward like an arrow loose from a bow, speeding past Chu Cheng’s Maserati and veering toward the left road.

“Xiaoke! Are you crazy? What are you doing?!” Chu Cheng shouted into the phone, alarmed by her abrupt and reckless move.