Protagonist? Antagonist? I Reject Both

Chapter 262: Crumbling

Ye Chen paced back and forth in his dimly lit room with his mind consumed with worry as the articles circulating worldwide shook him to the core.

"Damn! That bloody bastard... I knew that guy wasn't sane... Fuck..."

Memories flooded back as he recalled the past.

Leon and Elena were hot topics, with Leon relentlessly pursuing Elena while she ignored him as if he were her deadly enemy.

Before their engagement, she found him in a bar, taking down ruffians, and proposed a deal that he would eliminate Elena and act as her husband in exchange for money. However, he couldn't touch her and it was all an act.

With nothing to lose, Ye Chen agreed. After all, he was quite confident in his appearance, believing that once Elena discovered his awesomeness, she would grovel at his feet. Yet, despite using him, she remained as cold as ice.

Not only that, she even abandoned him to venture into dimensional zones with her grand plan to form a business group there.

What a delusional woman.

When that guy humiliated him in public, Ye Chen expected himself to react like others, crying, getting angry, or threatening him but...

Behind his sad facade, Ye Chen saw a smile. It was so sinister that every time he recalled that smile and heard that cracking voice, he shivered.

Later, he teamed up with Austin to betray Leon and eliminate him, but that bastard vanished into thin air. And now this...

Gripping the crumbling newspaper, Ye Chen cursed Austin for not taking care of Leon when he had the chance.

As Ye Chen's inner turmoil intensified, he found himself unable to shake off the weight of his decisions. He sat at his desk, staring blankly at the screen, his fingers tapping anxiously on the polished wood surface.

Qin Jian, his advisor, noticed the distress etched on Ye Chen's face and approached cautiously.

"Master Ye, is everything alright?" Qin Jian inquired, his voice laced with concern.

Ye Chen sighed heavily, his eyes betraying the turmoil within. "No, Qin Jian. Everything is far from alright. I fear that that bastard will soon target me."

Qin Jian's brow furrowed with worry as he took a seat opposite Ye Chen. "I think the rumors are exaggerated. I don't believe someone can become so strong this quickly. We're talking about wiping out families that have established their dominance for ages."

"It might be, or it might not be. We need to get rid of him."

Before Qin Jian could respond, one of Ye Chen's guards, Ya Han, entered the room.

"Ye Chen, we need to talk," Ya Han stated firmly, her eyes locking onto him.

Ye Chen nodded, acknowledging her seriousness. "What is it, Ya Han?"

"Your decision regarding Leon could have dire consequences," Ya Han remarked, her tone grave.

Ye Chen's jaw tightened as he absorbed her words. "I know. But what choice do we have? Leon's actions are threatening everything we've built so far."

Qin Jian interjected, his voice gentle yet firm. "There's always another way."

Ye Chen leaned back in his chair, his mind racing with conflicting thoughts and emotions. He knew Qin Jian and Ya Han were right, but the fear of losing everything he had worked for gnawed at him.

After a moment of silence, Ye Chen spoke with determination. "You're both right. We need to find another way. But for now, we must focus on preventing the worst from happening"

Just then, his phone rang, displaying an anonymous number.

Ye Chen took the call, his expression troubled.

"Who is it?" Ya Han asked, noticing his troubled look.

Ye Chen remained silent until a smile cracked on his face.

After ending the call, a burst of laughter erupted from his lips.

"It seems we aren't the only ones feeling uneasy. Some individuals want to offer us a hand."

......

"Are you sure you can handle this?" Leon asked, his expression concerned.

"I... I think so," Su Lin replied bravely, though her voice trailed off with uncertainty.

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"It might be troublesome..."

"But Sophia is accompanying you..." Su Lin voiced, her gaze downcast.

"She is strong..."

"I am strong too," Su Lin interjected, causing Leon to narrow his eyes.

Leon scanned her from top to bottom and scoffed, "Do you even believe your own words? If I take you, instead of dealing with others, I'd have to worry about saving you."

Su Lin felt a pang in her heart as if something had pierced it. Why was he so blunt?

"Let's go!" Leon snapped his fingers, and a portal appeared.

"Follow me." Leon grabbed Su Lin's hand, startling her, and stepped into the vortex that appeared out of nowhere.

"What's happening?" She screamed in bewilderment as she was pulled.

"The Shadow Zone."

"WHAT?!"

Stepping inside, Su Lin was horrified to find herself in a familiar place, the black fortress.

"So the rumors were true, you were using the black fortress."

"So?" Su Lin flinched at the sharp, cold voice.

"I am using what I've earned. Do I need their permission?"

Su Lin immediately shook her head, trying to dispel any misunderstanding.

"AHHH! Don't get me wrong, I was just surprised."

Leon led her to the inner basement, containing a prison cell.

A putrid stench of decay greeted Leon and Su Lin as they stepped into the dimly lit cell. Chains clanked against rusted bars, echoing through the damp air as they approached a figure hunched in the corner.

Su Lin's heart sank as she recognized the silhouette of her father, Su Yang, shackled and looked haggard.

Tears welled up in Su Lin's eyes as she rushed forward, falling to her knees beside her father. "Father..." she choked out, her voice breaking with emotion.

'I guess... she loves her father after all,' Leon muttered to himself, clicking his tongue as he looked at the sorry figure who had scolded Su Lin when she took his side.