Chapter 18

"Mr. Jake, I dare not speak! Dante's malicious nature is truly vicious!" Richard said, pale with fear: "Mr. Jake, even though I come from the rougher side of life, I still have some principles and conscience. I wouldn't stoop so low as to do such despicable things. That's why I refused him. I agreed only to lead people to him and left the rest for him to deal with. I don't care about the other matters. I was cautious in dealing with him, so I recorded the conversation to protect myself from the worst-case scenario. Mr. Jake, would you like to hear that recording?"

Richard spoke earnestly, then kowtowed, pleading: "Mr. Jake, I must have been blind to offend you. I just ask for a chance to live, and I will serve you loyally from now on."

"Give me the recording." Theophilus said.

Richard handed over a recording pen, his heart pounding.

Theophilus pressed play on the pen, and the conversation between two