The thick black smoke billowed up, spreading recklessly in the air, appearing dense and heavy. The intense smell of burning filled the air, making it hard for anyone to approach easily.
The piercing sound of alarms grew closer, as fire trucks rushed past the roadside, their red bodies strikingly conspicuous, like flashes of red lightning.
Pedestrians on the sidewalk stopped one after another, and several small cars halted to give way. Passengers curiously poked their heads out, craning their necks, and inquired among themselves, "What's that place up ahead? Why is it on fire?"
Two chubby men in police uniforms pulled up a barricade, shouting loudly, "Stay away, go back the way you came or take a detour... there might be an explosion ahead..."
Upon hearing this, the passersby, who had initially complained about the fire delaying their time, turned and left, but a few stayed, seemingly believing they were far enough away that even an explosion wouldn't affect them, opting to watch the commotion.
A black MPV was similarly parked by the roadside, its occupants pale-faced, showing no intention of getting out to watch.
John Adler clutched his briefcase, which he regarded as life itself, and asked tremulously, "Hey... that direction... isn't that my manor?"
The driver, wearing white gloves, replied as calmly as possible, "Yes, Mr. Adler."
John Adler couldn't speak for a long while.
He vaguely knew this was a decoy, but before coming, someone had assured him, swearing that this operation would succeed. His manor might incur some losses, but compensation would be provided in other ways.
For example, others in business would offer him more benefits, or increase the share of longevity potions, and so on.
As for himself, he was supposedly in no danger during this operation.
— This is what they call no danger?
If he hadn't run quickly, he might have been roasted by now!
Sitting in the same car, Abigail had already quietly gripped her magic wand with her right hand.
She tried to contact the people left in the manor but received no response, almost certain that they had all been killed or captured.
Abigail couldn't understand why the plan had failed—previous simulations showed their victory probability was over sixty percent; even in failure, the success rate of the main force escaping was over ninety percent.
Yet the outcome was completely unexpected.
— Was it Dumbledore and Grindelwald joining forces? Or was it that some wizards, like in legendary stories, burst out with greater strength when facing a crisis?
But regardless, since no one survived, there was no one to find her and Adler.
On the bright side, perhaps the people in the manor hadn't yet reported Adler's last-minute escape! After all, though annoying in character, this fellow is quite generous with money.
Danger glinted in Abigail's eyes, and a small portion of her magic wand silently slipped out of her sleeve.
Having experienced countless battles since childhood, she was highly adept at using nonverbal spells.
John Adler didn't notice the subtle actions of the "wizard bodyguard" next to him; he took out his phone, browsing through his contacts, while grumbling:
"They all got burned up, the promised compensation must be tripled... No, five times at least! Don't wait for anyone else, they must be dead! Let's drive to Herrison now..."
Just as John Adler found the name he was looking for, his entire body suddenly stiffened as if petrified, unable to move even a finger.
The phone slipped from his palm, and before it hit the ground, it was caught by a hand and then the cover was closed.
Sweat poured down John Adler's face as he hurriedly rolled his eyes and saw that his bodyguards and driver had all turned into statues, motionless, their breathing so faint it was barely audible.
The only person in the car still able to move was the friendly wizard bodyguard.
John Adler realized something, staring at her in shock and fear, not understanding why she suddenly acted against them.
Abigail glanced at the few sturdy bodyguards, some of whom were former special forces, some gunmen, and others boxing champions, each having hand-to-hand combat skills far superior to her own.
But it wasn't until they were frozen by magic that they knew what was happening.
The secretary sitting in the last row, due to her angle, wasn't yet controlled by magic, but she keenly noticed the sudden petrification of the others, instinctively attempting to pounce to open the car door, only to find her position inconvenient for doing so.
The slender magic wand was already pointed at the tip of her nose.
The secretary raised her hands, forcing a strained smile, trembling as she asked, "Why, Miss Abigail... If you are not satisfied with the compensation, we can still discuss it. I believe Mr. Adler would surely be willing to offer a price to your liking."
John Adler blinked desperately, indicating he thought the same.
"You know, it was because of two reckless wizards that my parents died," Abigail suddenly said.
"That..." The secretary said cautiously, not understanding, "Was it? That's truly tragic..."
Abigail said, "I joined the organization for revenge... I believe that such reckless wizards shouldn't exist in this world. The organization's BOSS can lead us in establishing a new order—one in which all, regardless of race or magic power, are bound by law and cannot act recklessly!"