Old Jack drank the bottle of red wine, becoming quieter the more he drank, his eyes growing redder.

Adrian Desmond watched Old Jack’s tearful expression, sighed, and said, "Instead of drinking here in sorrow, why not go seek revenge on Night Owl?"

Old Jack said, "Tell me, what do you want me to do?"

Ever since Laura was lost, Jack had quit drinking; this was his first time breaking his vow in years.

The wine was sweet, but it tasted bitter in his mouth; if not for the persistent thought of retrieving Laura, he would have given up on life long ago.

His son resented him till his dying breath.

If the son knew what happened to Laura, it would not just be resentment but hatred.

Since learning about Laura’s situation, Jack’s illness had worsened; he didn’t know how much longer he could hold on.

That’s why he came to Adrian Desmond.

"You should look for Abraham, Mike Landon, Frank Kim..." Adrian Desmond said.

"Are you not planning to take action against Death Island?"

"I will, but I’ll act alone."

"Isn’t it better to join forces for greater strength?" Jack asked.

"More people don’t necessarily mean greater strength; different goals cause action to be hindered, such as Abraham who wants the treasure of Death Island, Mike Landon who seeks his son, and Frank Kim who represents Westoria’s government and thus acts on behalf of official interests...

I don’t have the power to integrate these people, so I can only act independently."

Night Owl is very cunning. Adrian Desmond couldn’t guarantee that after all he’d done, he would be able to kill Night Owl, so he must conserve his strength.

In straightforward terms, these people are cannon fodder, used by Adrian Desmond to scout out Death Island’s true strength, as he was unsure of it; most of these people will die facing the mysterious Death Island.

When the time is right, he’ll step in, like harvesting crops, and kill Night Owl!

"A cunning man!" Jack realized Adrian’s scheming but didn’t expose him upfront.

At least, from the information he gathered, Adrian Desmond and Night Owl were arch enemies, irreconcilable. Even if Adrian Desmond doesn’t take action this time, ultimately, he will go against Night Owl. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

Adrian Desmond looked at Jack; due to Laura, Adrian always treated Old Jack kindly,

"I promise you, if you die before avenging Laura, I will avenge her for you."

"Thank you."

"Don’t thank me, I’m just using you all!" Adrian Desmond said frankly.

"Still, thank you for taking care of Laura all these years."

Imagining a five-year-old girl surviving until age ten in such a place as Death Island made Jack shudder.

Old Jack called Hank in, saying to Hank, "Bring the boxes in."

Hank glanced at Adrian Desmond, then went to follow Jack’s command to carry the boxes.

Adrian Desmond expected a small box but was surprised when Hank brought in twenty boxes, opening them to reveal ten boxes of gold, five boxes of jewelry, and five boxes of various deeds.

"This is?" Adrian Desmond looked at Jack in confusion.

"This is one-third of the Rowell Family’s wealth. The other two-thirds I used to pay for mercenaries’ fees.

If I die, this money should serve as the expense for avenging Laura."

"No need!" Adrian Desmond wasn’t lacking in money.

"Take it; I have nobody else to give. You’re Laura’s boyfriend, which makes you family."

"I’m not Laura’s boyfriend!"

"I know your wife is a jealous woman. Though Laura was your girlfriend, she has passed away. Does your wife still begrudge a poor soul now dead?"

Adrian Desmond rubbed his forehead, realizing the misunderstanding was huge, "Laura wasn’t my girlfriend! I was only 14 then, I didn’t understand anything... I..."

Jack was angry, "They all say you’re afraid of your wife; I didn’t expect you to be so afraid that you wouldn’t dare admit Laura was once your girlfriend?"

"..."

"Adrian Desmond, you greatly disappoint me."

"Laura truly wasn’t my girlfriend!" This misunderstanding must be clarified!

Jack shook his head, donned his hat, picked up his cane, and left without a word.

When leaving, the look Jack gave Adrian Desmond was clearly that of viewing a heartbreaker.

Adolph Desmond personally escorted Jack out, returned to the reception room, and found Adrian Desmond still sitting there.