A knot of fear tightened Raj's throat, his eyes flickering nervously for a fleeting moment. He squeezed his eyes shut, desperately trying to calm himself through internal pep talk.

‘Raj,’ he muttered to himself, his voice tight with apprehension, ‘you're an old man now! He can't hurt you anymore. He's just a relic of your youthful nightmares.’

Taking a series of deep, shaky breaths, Raj finally opened his eyes. With a stutter, he addressed the imposing figure before him, "Are you... are you Kim Wentian... L-Lord Wentian?" He swiftly corrected himself, the memory of Kim Wentian's fury at anyone who dared address him without the proper title still fresh in his mind. After all, no one in their right mind would ever think to utter his full name.

The sight of America's renowned businessman cowering like a frightened child would have been an unbelievable spectacle to anyone who knew him only through his public persona. However, very few were aware of the stark contrast between the powerful tycoon and the terrified student Raj once was.

Raj could never erase the memories of Kim Wentian's cruelty, the torment he himself had endured, and the agonizing screams of countless others who met their demise under Kim's callous watch.

Some might call him weak, but they were the ones who had never encountered the chilling aura that Kim exuded. It was a suffocating, ominous presence that sent shivers down the spine of even the most courageous individuals.

"Yes, Goblin," drawled Kim Wentian, a smug smile twisting his lips. "I am your Lord Wentian. It's encouraging to see your memory holding up at your age, Goblin. Speaking of which, I must admit, I often reminisce about those... 'interesting' days." His voice dripped with a sinister amusement that sent a fresh wave of terror coursing through Raj.

The chilling smile was enough to make anyone envision their own demise. Raj could only manage a weak nod, the mere mention of "interesting days" sending a wave of nausea through him. It was a period synonymous with an unimaginable living hell.

"Good," Kim Wentian continued, his voice laced with a hint of satisfaction. "Now, be a good dog and hand over the locket I've been seeking for years. Your cooperation will be rewarded handsomely." As he spoke, his right index finger punctuated his words with a series of sharp taps against Raj's forehead, a habit Kim employed whenever he anticipated compliance.

Giving in seemed to be Raj's only path towards an even remotely peaceful outcome. The locket held no real value for him; it was simply a sentimental reminder of his past, a silent companion since the beginning. It was a small sacrifice to make in exchange for avoiding further torment.

But just as Raj reached up to unclasp the locket from around his neck, a glint of metal on Kim Wentian's finger caught his eye, sending a jolt of shock through his entire being.

"This!" Raj blurted out, his gaze fixated on the ring adorning Kim Wentian's index finger – the very finger that had been repeatedly tapping against his forehead.

The ornate ring gleamed under the dim lighting, its silver surface reflecting a vibrant blue cobra that seemed to writhe in the darkness. It was identical to the one Raj remembered adorning his late father's finger, except for a single, chilling detail – a crimson stain marred the ring's exterior. An unsettling aura emanated from the jewel, a chilling presence that sent shivers down Raj's spine.

‘Father's cobra ring!’ Raj exclaimed, his voice a strangled whisper. ‘Father once said it was a unique family heirloom, passed down through generations. But it vanished after his car accident... how did it end up on Wentian's finger?"

His mind raced in a whirlwind of confusion. He knew, with absolute certainty, that the ring belonged to his family. Wentian, a man notorious for his integrity, he would never pick things from the roadside.

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Steeling his nerves, Raj approached Kim Wentian, who sat sprawled out on a plush armchair, his crimson eyes glinting with a hint of amusement. "Lord Wentian," Raj spoke, his voice carefully measured, "such a magnificent ring! I couldn't help but notice it. Where might you have acquired such a treasure?"

His question was carefully crafted to appear innocuous, a mere comment from a curious businessman. Wentian's sharp gaze swept over him, searching for any hidden motives.

"Changing the subject now, are we, goblin?" Wentian snarled, his voice dripping with disdain.

"No, no, my Lord!" Raj stammered, feigning enthusiasm. "It truly is a captivating piece. I would have gladly purchased it myself, had the opportunity arisen."

A harsh laugh erupted from Wentian. "Purchase it? This, my friend, is a one-of-a-kind prize, acquired from a rather... stubborn individual."

Raj's heart pounded like a drum solo in his chest. He swallowed hard, his throat dry. "Stubborn, you say? Who dares to defy you, Lord Wentian? Do they not fear the consequences?" His voice trembled slightly, disguised by a forced laugh.

He noted with a jolt the shift in Wentian's demeanor. For a fleeting moment, a shadow of unease crossed the powerful man's face, a stark contrast to his usual stoicism. It was gone as quickly as it appeared, replaced by a mask of fury.

"Enough of this charade! Hand over the locket!" Wentian roared, his voice laced with a barely contained rage.

Raj's mind raced. At worst, he faced torture and likely death. Yet, a strange defiance welled up within him.

He threw his head back and let out a manic laugh that echoed through the room. "Ha! So even the great Lord Wentian has his fears? This stubborn individual must be quite formidable. Tell me, who is he? Perhaps I could have the pleasure of meeting them one day!"

Wentian rose in a swift, fluid motion, his gaze burning into Raj's very soul. A cruel smile stretched across his face, sending chills down Raj's spine. The air crackled with unspoken threats as the scene hung heavy with anticipation.

"Meet him! Goblin, you know, How I brutally killed him? He begs for me to not kill his wife and daughter, but he dares to challenge me. So, I raped both of them in front of him. Poor man! Hahaha," After saying that, Kim Wentian licks his lips.

While Wentian was talking, tears were continuously falling from Raj's eyes. His heart was thumping rapidly due to the shock.

"Bastard! I will kill you."

Fueled by a surge of rage and grief, Raj lurched forward with the chair still clutched in his trembling hands. He attempted to grab Wentian's throat, but the awkwardness of the chair hindered him, only allowing him to snag the man's T-shirt.

"You took my family! I’ll kill, you bastard!" Raj shrieked, tears streaming down his aged face.

An ear-splitting slap met his outburst. Kim Wentian, in a lightning-fast movement, delivered a powerful blow that sent Raj and the chair flying a meter across the room. The impact against the wall resonated with a sickening thud.

Stars danced in Raj's vision as he momentarily lay stunned. He tasted the metallic tang of blood on his tongue, and the chair, once a familiar object, lay shattered in pieces around him.

"Family, you say?" Wentian's voice held a tinge of amusement. "Unexpected, but unfortunate. Forgive me, goblin, but they were quite... delicious. My condolences, friend."

The revelation struck Raj like a physical blow. The man standing before him, the one he'd considered an ally, was the true monster he'd been searching for all these years. It wouldn't have mattered if Wentian had even known – the sadistic glint in his eyes confirmed that.

"I'll kill you! You son of a..." Raj rasped, his face throbbing with pain. He tried to articulate his hatred, but the words wouldn't form.

For 54 years, Raj had clung to the belief that the government had brought his family's murderer to justice. He even dared to confront the accused himself, fueled by a desperate need for vengeance.

Yet, that man had been merely a scapegoat, sacrificed by a corrupt system. The real predator, the one who had taken everything from him, now stood smirking before him.

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