Clearly, the one-eyed man was the person who intentionally caused William�s tire puncture. His objective was to demand money.

William couldn�t be bothered to argue any further. �How much does your tire cost?�

�That depends on what valuable goods you have.� The one-eyed man chewed on his gum before looking into the car. He was initially searching for expensive goods, but his eyes lit up when he saw Adie, who was sleeping in the backseat. �Your kid here looks valuable. He�s fair and adorable. I�ll adopt him as my son.�

�No way! Somebody has already made a booking. You better not get any wrong ideas. If you want money, make an offer!� William exclaimed.

�Damn it! I�ll do whatever I want. Stop yapping!� The one-eyed man slapped William across the face and swung his watermelon knife around. �Cut the crap. Get out of the car right now. This kid is mine. Otherwise� I�ll chop your head off!�

�Dream on!� William quickly rolled up the window and locked the doors. He then stepped on the gas as hard as he could, intending to drive directly to Carmine Pawnshop.

However, the one-eyed man, an influential person in the dock, immediately ordered someone to block his way with another car. He then struck his watermelon knife against the car door. �Damn it. Get out, or I�ll chop your head off!�

�This�� William panicked. He didn�t expect the man to be so unreasonable. Just as the rumors claimed, Water Dock was as terrifying as hell. It explained why Briar sent him!

�What are you waiting for? Step on it!� Adie could no longer pretend to be asleep. He got up and started yelling at William.

�Ahh!� Adie�s voice sent William, who was already tense and nervous, screaming. �Kiddo, y-you�re awake?� William stammered.

Adie rolled his eyes and started giving orders. �Idiot. I�ve been awake for a long time. Look ahead. Pedal to the metal all the way. Turn the car as much to the left as possible, and force your way through. Otherwise, we�re both doomed!�

Adie initially wanted to pretend to be asleep, but this man didn�t seem the least reliable. Although it was obvious the other party was driving their way, he still hesitated and didn�t go full speed ahead. Adie was terribly anxious.

�Huh? What?� William�s jaw dropped. He looked ahead and realized that he ought to follow Adie�s instructions.

Without thinking too much, William held onto the steering wheel tightly. �I�m going to make a rapid turn. Sit tight!�

Vroom, vroom, vroom! The roar of the car�s engine echoed throughout the dock. The vehicle headed toward a gap on the left, and just when it seemed they would get through, another car showed up from the opposite direction and blocked their way to Carmine Pawnshop.

The worst part was that William�s tire was completely ruined this time. The car couldn�t be driven unless he replaced it with a new one!

�What do we do now?� William fell into despair with his hands on the steering wheel. He didn�t mind dying, but the consequences would be unimaginable if this boy fell into the hands of the one-eyed man.

�Kiddo, I�ll open the door later, and you�ll jump off after that. Run to Carmine Pawnshop and tell them your name. They�ll probably be able to protect you!�

Although Carmine Pawnshop�s name was mysterious to outsiders and was perceived as very powerful, their boss, Mr. Q, had a decent reputation.

Apart from always getting revenge on his enemies and being heavy- handed, he�d never done anything too perverse. JrNovels.com