Carrick’s grip tightened around the gun in his hand. Every muscle in his body screamed at him to pull the trigger and end Domino’s life.But his mind… his mind hesitated.She had suffered at the hands of the Gale family for years. If Domino had even the slightest bit of information that could change things...could reveal something Carrick didn’t already know...then killing him now would be a mistake.Victor stepped forward, his face a mask of disbelief. “Carrick, you can’t be serious.” His gun remained aimed at Domino’s head, his fingers twitching near the trigger. “We’ve chased this bastard through the city, risked our lives, and now you’re telling me we’re keeping him alive?”Carrick didn’t take his eyes off Domino, who was still sprawled on the ground, breathing hard. Blood dripped from a gash on his forehead where he had hit the pavement. And yet, despite being at gunpoint, he was smiling.That smug bastard.“I’m saying,” Carrick said coldly, “that he might have something useful.”

Zachary’s smile didn’t reach his eyes. It never did. His gaze held the same cold amusement he always carried, the look of a man who knew he was in control...or at least, thought he was.Carrick didn’t move as his father took slow, measured steps down the stairs of the Gale estate. His men tensed behind him, their hands itching towards their weapons, but Carrick lifted a finger...a silent command to stand down.He wanted answers before blood.Zachary finally stopped a few feet away, his hands still clasped behind his back. He studied Carrick like he was a piece of artwork...something to be admired but never quite accepted.“You’ve changed,” Zachary mused, tilting his head. “There’s a sharpness in your eyes that wasn’t there before.”Carrick didn’t blink. “Almost dying tends to do that to a person.”Zachary chuckled. “Ah, yes. The unfortunate misunderstanding.”Carrick’s jaw clenched. “A misunderstanding? You ordered my death.”Zachary sighed dramatically. “Now, now. Let’s not dwell on

Carrick stared at the locked box in his hands, his mother’s initials engraved on its metal surface. His pulse was steady, but the weight of what he had just heard from Domino lingered in his mind like a ghost.Victor and Elias watched him carefully, waiting for him to speak.Victor crossed his arms. “So, what’s in the damn thing?”Carrick exhaled. “We don’t know yet.”Elias knelt beside him. “And we can’t just stand here all night hoping it magically opens itself. We need a plan.”Carrick ran a thumb over the cold metal. The box felt both foreign and familiar at the same time. It was his mother’s, but she had never told him about it. Why had she hidden it? What could be inside that Domino and Zachary didn’t want him to find?Victor crouched down, resting his elbows on his knees. “We could force it open.”Carrick’s grip tightened around the box. “No. If my mother locked this, she had a reason. I won’t break it.”Elias sighed. “Then we need the key.”Victor scoffed. “Great. And where do

Silas Gale stared at Carrick with hollow yet sharp eyes, his gaze flickering with suspicion, curiosity, and something else...something deeper.Pain.He had been here too long.His wrists were bruised where the iron shackles bit into his skin. His once-proud frame had withered, but his presence… it was undeniable. Even in the dimly lit room, Carrick could sense it.This was him.The true heir to the Gale Family.Victor shifted uncomfortably behind Carrick. “Damn. He looks like a ghost.”Elias narrowed his eyes. “No. He looks like a man who has survived hell.”Silas’s voice was raw from disuse. “You said your name is Carrick?”Carrick nodded, stepping forward cautiously. “Carrick Gale.”Something flashed in Silas’s expression, but it was gone in an instant. He gave a hollow chuckle, shaking his head weakly. “Another Gale… how fitting.”Carrick clenched his jaw. “Not like the others.”Silas’s eyes bore into him, searching, assessing. He exhaled, his voice low. “That’s what they all say.”

Silas leaned forward, his fingers steepled as he regarded Carrick with sharp, assessing eyes. “You want to go after his money first,” he mused. “Smart move. But Zachary doesn’t keep all his wealth in one place. He’s meticulous, paranoid even.” Carrick nodded. “I figured as much. That’s why I need you...you know how he operates.” Silas smirked slightly. “I do. But I’ve been out of the game for a while. Things might’ve changed.” Victor scoffed. “Men like Zachary don’t change. If he was greedy and power-hungry before, he’s even worse now.” Silas chuckled. “Fair enough.” He tapped his fingers against the armrest. “Back when I was still in the picture, Zachary’s main sources of revenue came from three things: high-stakes underground gambling, arms smuggling, and private investments.” Carrick frowned. “Investments?” Silas nodded. “Legitimate businesses...hotels, construction, even some tech startups. It’s how he launders his money.” Elias crossed his arms. “So, what’s the wea