In the end, Jayce didn't buy the machete. Instead, he purchased another knife recommended—a blade sharp enough to cleave through a small tree trunk in one stroke. It was a test product, an enhanced version of the machete. The blade was thicker at the spine, making it more effective for chopping through dense wood.
Of course, the claim that it was sharp enough to "slice a hair in midair" was just marketing talk. But when Jayce lightly ran his finger over the edge, he felt an immediate chill slicing through his skin. A thin line of blood appeared, dripping onto his palm, already wrapped in gauze.
After securing the knife inside a sealed leather travel bag, Jayce dialed the number of the Alex Corporation's vice president. His expression was indifferent.
He had once worked with the Alex Corporation, investing in their specialty fruit and vegetable supermarket project, hoping for a mutually beneficial partnership. Instead, the vice president had taken both the project and the money, leaving Jayce with nothing.
"I have a complete project plan in my hands. I can give it to you."
"Heh… I don't need it."
"You don't? If we go to court and I present this plan, your Alex Corporation's reputation will plummet. The industry your father built with years of hard work will be ruined under your leadership. Your father will be forced to remove you from the company, and your inheritance rights will be taken by one of your siblings. You've been vice president for a year now, and you have no other major projects under your name. Don't you want to move up to CEO?"
"You—!! Are you threatening me?"
"You should hand this plan over to your elder brother, the general manager. Your father already approved it, and the board of directors has decided to implement it as part of the company's five-year strategy. Isn't that right?"
"How… How do you know that?!"
"Did you really think all my efforts were for nothing?"
A long silence.
Then, a hoarse response.
"What do you want?"
"Now tell me… do you need the plan?"
"…"
"Do you need it?"
"…Yes."
"Good. I'll give it to you."
"If it's about Sophia, don't worry—"
"Sophia chose you. I have no objections. I'm giving you the plan, but I want to see her one last time before I leave this city. Just to say goodbye."
"Fine. She's at Happy Community. Bring the plan, and I'll take you to her."
"Good."
"Be careful… Don't let my siblings find out… Where are you now? I'll come to you."
"No need. I'm at the Alex Corporation building."
"Alright. I'll notify the front desk."
Call ended.
The streets were bustling with people.
Jayce stood still in the crowd, gripping his leather travel bag. He looked up at the sunlight, a halo forming in his vision blinding, dazzling.
Last night's thunderstorm had cleansed the city's air. A fresh, crisp scent rose from the damp pavement, heavy with moisture.
Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath, letting the cool air fill his lungs. For a moment, his entire body felt light. Every pore tingled with a refreshing chill.
"Haah…"
He exhaled slowly, opening his eyes. They were empty. Hollow.
Nothing in this world mattered anymore.
Without hesitation, he tossed his phone into a trash can and walked away.
A few moments later, someone rummaged through the bin, retrieved the phone, and lit up with joy, it was worth thousands of dollars.
A life without hope…
Jayce walked straight into the Alex Corporation building.
It was his second time here.
Sophia had been the one to introduce him to Alex, encouraging their business cooperation. It was supposed to be an opportunity.
Instead, it had been a trap.
People in love truly had zero intelligence.
He had never suspected a thing. Never imagined their relationship ran deeper than he had thought.
That even the child was his.
The elevator ascended directly to the 30th floor.
After confirming his appointment with the front desk, Jayce walked into the vice president's office.
It was excessively luxurious.
Handwoven carpets. A small indoor golf course. A bar stocked with fine wines. A private bathroom.
This wasn't an office—it was a five-star suite.
No security cameras.
The kind of place where a secretary could do whatever they pleased.
Once the secretary left, only Jayce and Alex remained.
"Give it to me. I promise," Alex said, unable to conceal his eagerness. He stood from his chair, eyes burning with anticipation.
Jayce looked at him impassively, stepped forward, and placed the leather travel bag on the polished rosewood desk.
Slowly, he unzipped it.
Clothing.
"Let me find it. Sorry, the bag's full of clothes," Jayce said calmly.
Alex exhaled sharply, staring intently at the bag.
Then—
A cold gleam flashed.
Jayce suddenly moved.
Stepping onto the desk, he sent expensive stationery, folders, and a high-end LCD computer crashing onto the soft carpet below.
No loud noise. Just a muffled thud.
With a sharp motion, he drew the blade from the bottom of the travel bag.
His grip tightened. Veins bulged across his forearms. His knuckles turned white.
The knife slashed through the air, aimed directly at Alex's neck.
Blood gushed out instantly, spurting like a fountain from his severed artery. His head, still frozen in horror, remained connected by a thin strip of skin.
One strike.
Jayce had decapitated him.
His expression remained indifferent.
Alex's body collapsed onto the desk, twitching, blood pooling beneath him.
Jayce reached into the travel bag, pulled out a fresh set of clothes, and frowned. His wedding suit was soaked in red.
A shame.
Oh well.
He entered the private bathroom, washed up in under three minutes, and calmly left the office—locking the door behind him.
Walking out of the Alex Corporation building, he got into his car, placed the travel bag on the passenger seat, and drove toward Happy Community.
Sophia's new home.
The moment she saw him through the security gate, her smile vanished.
Her face turned cold.
"What are you doing here?" she snapped impatiently.
"I just wanted to see you one last time," Jayce said, placing the travel bag on the ground. "And to give you some of the wealth I once built for you."
"I don't need it," Sophia said dismissively. "As long as you live a good life, that's enough."
Jayce gave her a faint smile. But deep sadness lingered in his eyes.
He didn't care about her greed.
But leaving him…?
That required his permission.
Sophia hesitated. For a moment, her expression wavered.
"I'm sorry," she said quietly.
She opened the door.
Her new home was lavish, easily worth four or five million.
In the crib, the baby kicked his legs happily, giggling in his comfortable surroundings.
"Is he alright? No more nosebleeds?" Jayce asked, unzipping the bag.
Sophia's eyes lit up with expectation.
"It's gone now. Thank you!"
Then—
The zipper opened fully.
Sophia's face turned pale.
A severed head stared back at her from inside the bag.
She trembled violently. Cold sweat ran down her spine.
The blade flashed.
Blood sprayed.
Jayce gripped her hair. He had to hack at her neck ten times before it finally severed.
The more he chopped, the harder it became. His face contorted with pain, his tears mingling with his rage.
When he had killed Alex, it had been effortless.
But Sophia…
Sophia was different.
"I loved you so much," Jayce murmured.
"I will grant your wish."
He placed her head inside the leather travel bag.
The baby wailed, blood splattering its tiny face.
Jayce gently placed the child into the bag as well—reuniting the family.
Then, after another shower, he changed into a clean suit.
It reminded him of his wedding day.
The weather had been just as bright.
"What a beautiful, meaningless life."
With the travel bag in hand, Jayce walked into the police station.
(To be continued.)