In the dim, forgotten warehouse, a figure stepped out from the shadows, catching Adonis off guard. The man's worn-out attire and tired demeanor spoke of a life that must have being through a lot of hardships. Adonis wasted no time in asking questions that were of course very neccesary, he looked at the stranger with a mixture of skepticism and curiosity, his mind racing to know the purpose of this unforeseen encounter. "Who are you?" he questioned, his voice tinged with cautious suspicion. The man offered a weary smile, his face etched with lines that seemed to hold tales of ages past. "Edward, my name is Edward, your highness," he introduced himself, his words carrying a hint of intrigue. "I was once a loyal servant to his royal majesty, King Archie." Adonis exchanged glances with Jesse, their expressions mirroring his curiosity. "Why did you leave then, Edward?" Adonis inquired, his eyes narrowing slightly as he wished to know what this man was on about. A distant look clouded Ed
Before venturing back to the palace, Adonis decided to swing by Valerie's freshly established boutique, it was a vibrant haven of fashion and creativity just like Valerie had wanted, it was also fast becoming one of the best in its city. Adonis’ arrival was greeted by the cheerful chime of the doorbell, signaling his entry into this world of elegance and style. Inside, it almost felt like had just stepped into somewhere entirely different, the atmosphere was just very beautiful and cheerful.But reveling in this beauty and comfort took a short while for Adonis because as soon as he stepped in, a wave of hushed whispers and wary glances washed over Adonis like a tide of discomfort.Even the workers, adorned in their work aprons like sentinels of the establishment, shot unfriendly scowls and guarded glares in his direction. The weight of their collective scrutiny bore down on him, like an uninvited guest at a party.Valerie, the ever observable person that she was immediately noticed
As they arrived at the palace, a storm of anger and disapproval awaited Adonis in the form of the elders. Their stern expressions and wagging fingers were a clear sign of their disappointment. "Elders, I..." Adonis began, his voice faltering slightly under the weight of their collective gaze. "Your highness!" snapped Lady Beatrice, her voice a thunderclap that reverberated through the room."Do you realize the gravity of your actions?" Another elder’s voice was tinged with a mix of disbelief and reproach. "We explicitly instructed you not to leave the palace, your highness, and yet, you defy our words? Haven’t you been told yet that even the king is answerable to the tribunal? It is a great feature of a good king." Adonis met their stern gazes, his jaw clenched in determination to make them see his point any which way, "I understand your concern, but there were unforeseen yet important circumstances." Sir Hitchhacker scoffed, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "Ah, the infamous unfores
In a surge of anticipation, they stormed into the warehouse, driven by the desire to unveil all of the secrets that was needed to be revealed and all of the tables that was needed to be turned.What they encountered, however, painted a different picture entirely. Instead of the expected figures of Oliver or even Lord Bassey, the space revealed a gathering of normal looking men, circled around a table adorned with stacks of boxes. Amidst the echoing silence, the atmosphere was charged as they had barged in on them as if expecting to meet them trafficking kids if possible, they had expected the worst of the worst after all, only for the scene that they had come into to be this.The commissioner's authoritative voice sliced through the charged air, a call for order amidst the various sea of emotions, Fear and confusion for the men they had barged on and disappointment and equal confusion for they that had barged in on them."Hold your positions," he instructed no one in particular, his w
Adonis took a cautious step forward, his heart heavy with the gravity of the moment.His voice, a mix of genuine regret and humility, carried the weight of his remorse, of the fact that despite what Harriet and her family had done to him, despite how bad they had treated him, he still regarded Micheal as a cyber figure, one that he held dear because of all three of them, he was the only one who somehow treated him like he at least mattered, whether or not it was because of the gains they get from him, at least he was grateful and sensible."Harriet," he began, his words as tender as a soothing melody, "I extend my deepest condolences for your father's passing. I really want you to understand that I had no part in his death and no intention to stop justice if ever you are even think that I am trying to do that.”Harriet's gaze, veiled with a shroud of grief and suspicion, met his. In the midst of swirling emotions, her voice cut through the air like a bitter gust, each word seething
Adonis stood in the middle of his room, the weight of the letter's words pressing upon him like an hammer. The shock of its contents clung to him, an unwelcome shroud of uncertainty. Fingers trembling, he reached for his phone and dialed Valerie's number. His voice, a mixture of urgency and disbelief, he spilled it all out as he asked her to come to his room. Valerie's arrival was swift, concern etched across her features. Adonis handed her the letter, the paper like a fragile artifact between them. As her eyes skimmed over the words, a mirrored astonishment danced across her face. Their shared silence spoke volumes, like something woven from the threads of surprise and concern. "I can't believe this," Valerie murmured, her voice a soft exhalation of disbelief. "Who could have done this? Why?" Adonis's voice held a touch of frustration. "I have no idea. The timing, the threat, it's all so... sinister." They stood together, two figures in a sea of uncertainty. Adonis's fingers cle
Adonis's heart swelled with relief upon hearing the commissioner's update. He wasted no time expressing his gratitude and confirming his imminent presence. "Thank you, Commissioner. I'll join you shortly to delve into this lead, we need to find answers whichever way possible." Turning back to the room, Adonis's voice held a firm tone. "Jesse, keep at it. Question him any which way possible, we need answers, anything that could be of help to us concerning that letter, he might even be the key to nabbing whoever this criminal is once and for all." Just as Adonis was about to exit, the insolence of the deceitful servant flared up again. Insults spilled from his lips, a last stand of defiance that ignited Jesse's temper, one that pushed him to punch the servant even more but despite the several blows that he was dealt with, the servant continued to run his mouth as if he could care less what happens to him for disrespecting the prince this way. "You're nothing but a spineless prince, pl
The sun's first rays painted streaks of light across the sky, lazily spilling into Adonis's bedroom like a gentle invitation to the day.He stirred, a mix of reluctance and curiosity tugging him from the embrace of sleep. As he stretched and yawned, the air held a touch of nervousness and fear, as if it carried whispers of the events that lay ahead.His morning routine kicked in, but today, it felt more like going through the motions than a genuine ritual. The toothbrush moved almost autonomously, the water in the shower merely a cascade of droplets against his skin. Caught in the crossfire of emotions, Adonis's mind was a battleground of thoughts.On one side, the looming court hearing demanded his attention, a ruthless reminder of the legal fight that awaited him. Yet, on the other side, a more personal turmoil wrestled for his focus. His father's once unwavering health had succumbed to illness, a reality that seemed to defy the natural order of things because he had thought that th
Meanwhile, in the palace, the elders sat in somber silence, each lost in their own thoughts as they waited for their prince’s return. Jesse's watch seemed to tick louder with every passing second, a constant reminder of Adonis's absence. They all shared the same unspoken hope that Adonis would return safely, that his plan had succeeded.Suddenly, the room was jolted by the abrupt entrance of an excited messenger, who burst into the chamber with breathless urgency. "The prince is back!" the messenger exclaimed, unable to contain his joy.Without hesitation, the elders and Jesse rushed outside, their faces alight with anticipation. Their hearts swelled with relief and joy as they laid eyes on Adonis and Valerie, who walked toward the palace in a regal and triumphant manner. Adonis, his presence commanding, strode majestically with Valerie by his side, a living testament to the successful rescue.Jesse approached them, his relief was obvious as he greeted the prince with a deep bow. Adon
Adonis clenched his fists, his anger boiling over as he continued to listen to Oliver's sinister demands. "You heartless bastard!" he spat, his voice trembling with a mix of fury and desperation. "What do you want with my wife? She's innocent in all of this and you know it! This is not necessary at all!"Oliver's voice remained chillingly composed as he replied, "Adonis, your wife's fate is in your hands. All your protests and shouts won't change a thing. H\You know what you need to do but I will be a darling and just repeat them for you: step down from your position as the heir to the throne. Then, prepare an official statement, one that will be signed by the kingmakers and the tribunal. And this time, that is not all that you will do, let me add one more that I have not added before, Adonis, you will deliver this statement to me in person, and only you should come with it."Adonis attempted to reason with Oliver, his mind racing for alternatives, but before he could make any headway
The next day, as Adonis stood at the crime scene, frustration and weariness washed over him. The weight of the situation pressed heavily on his shoulders, burdening him with unanswered questions. He recalled the call he had received from Oliver during his joyous wedding party, the moment when everything had taken a dark turn.He turned to the acting commissioner, his eyes burning with determination and anger. "Why wasn't I informed about Oliver's escape?" Adonis demanded, his voice filled with frustration. "I trusted you to keep this city safe, to keep my loved ones safe!"The acting commissioner sighed heavily, his gaze filled with remorse. "Your highness, I didn't want to ruin the joyous atmosphere of your wedding day," he admitted. "The truth is, the police station was attacked, and Oliver managed to escape yet again. We kept it from you to preserve the happiness of the moment and also due to the fact that it was just so hard to tell especially since its not his first time."Adonis
Heril's eyes remained widened in disbelief even when Adonis confirmed what he had just said. He couldn't fathom that his little sister was engaged to the Prince of the city. It all felt surreal, like a dream."Valerie, is this true?" Heril asked, still struggling to grasp the reality of the situation.Valerie nodded, her cheeks flushed with a mixture of embarrassment and pride. "Yes, Heril. Adonis and I are engaged, you still think that I could never get such a man?"Adonis decided to show Heril the depth of their connection. With a gentle smile, he approached Valerie, his eyes locked onto Heril's. He embraced Valerie tenderly, pulling her close to him. It was a silent but powerful gesture that spoke volumes. Adonis was staking his claim, declaring his love for Valerie in front of her brother.As they stood there in that heartfelt embrace, Heril's initial shock began to give way to a sense of acceptance, and perhaps even happiness for his sister. Adonis even went further to gently ra
As they made their way back to the palace, Adonis decided to contact his lawyer to inform him about Oliver's capture and discuss rescheduling his case.He dialed the lawyer's number and, after a few rings, the lawyer answered."Hello," the lawyer said.Adonis replied, "Hello, it's Adonis. I wanted to let you know that Oliver has been apprehended, so we need to reschedule my case as soon as possible."The lawyer, however, had some news that Adonis wasn't entirely pleased with. "I understand your urgency, Adonis, but the city currently has a backlog of cases, and it might take some time before we can secure a new date for your hearing."Adonis, slightly frustrated, responded, "you’re saying that even as a prince, I still have to wait too?"The lawyer, maintaining his professionalism, explained, "It's a matter of protocol, Adonis. We'll do our best to expedite the process, but we must follow the established legal procedures."Adonis, though not entirely satisfied, reluctantly agreed, rea
As Adonis and the elders anxiously awaited news of the police mission's outcome, a sense of unease hung heavy in the air. Adonis couldn't help but consider the myriad of possibilities that could derail their plans. What if Oliver had somehow learned of the police's approach and was lying in wait to ambush them like he had done twice? What if his henchmen had already scattered upon hearing of the police's arrival? Maybe he still had more minions giving him information? Time seemed to stretch on endlessly, and Adonis' patience and hope was starting to waver. Some of the elders began to voice their doubts, questioning whether everything was truly unfolding as Adonis had envisioned. They had been waiting for nearly an hour, and the absence of any updates was gnawing at their patience too. Adonis remained silent, but the seeds of doubt had already been sown in his mind. The uncertainty of the situation weighed heavily on him, and he couldn't shake the feeling that their carefully laid pl
While Adonis stood in the room with the unconscious guard, Jesse suddenly busted in, holding Adonis's phone. The screen displayed an incoming call from an unknown number, which, in their world, meant it was likely Oliver on the line. Adonis took a deep breath and answered, bracing himself for what was to come. "Adonis," Oliver's voice echoed through the phone, "it's time." Adonis couldn't contain his curiosity any longer. "Who tipped you off about our coming?" he demanded, hoping to unravel the mystery. Oliver's response was far from what he expected. "Oh! I had no idea you were coming, Adonis," he replied, genuine confusion in his tone. "I didn't even know you had been to our previous hiding spot. But it seems even nature is conspiring against your success." The revelation left Adonis perplexed, wondering how Oliver had managed to stay one step ahead without any external information. Oliver continued, hinting at his usual threat. "Get ready, Adonis," Oliver warned. "The second p
The tracker had arrived, and Adonis wasted no time briefing him on the task at hand. They needed to locate Oliver through a phone call, and the tracker assured them that he could accomplish the job. He emphasized the necessity of a ninety-second call to pinpoint Oliver's location accurately. With their plan in motion, they turned their attention to the captured guard, their determination unshaken. They needed him to make the crucial call to Oliver, even though he had deleted all traces of their previous conversations. Initially, the guard remained silent, stubbornly refusing to cooperate. But as the pressure mounted, he finally relented and dialed Oliver's number. The call went through, and Adonis took the phone, speaking calmly but urgently. "Oliver," Adonis began, "we've captured one of your minions yet again." There was a pause on the other end, and then Oliver's voice, cold and calculating, responded. "Who told you those were my minions, Adonis? They were nothing more than tool
Pleasantries were exchanged as they all settled around the table at the casino. Adonis observed the familiarity the elders shared with King Clark, who greeted him with a hint of amusement."Prince Adonis," King Clark said, a mischievous glint in his eye, "it's truly delightful to finally meet the lost but found prince in person."Adonis, though puzzled by the king's words, offered a polite nod. "Likewise, King Clark."However, as they indulged in the various games and distractions the casino had to offer, Adonis couldn't help but sense a subtle shift in the king's demeanor. What had started as a friendly encounter took an unexpected turn when King Clark began to act rudely.He fired questions at Adonis with a mocking tone, each one designed to taunt. "Do you know how to play the 'rich men' games, Adonis? After all, you've just become a prince. Do you know how to act rich, or have you been poor your entire life?"The others at the table remained silent, aware that King Clark was simply