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BENEATH THE MASK: REVENGE OF SAMUEL HAYES 15
The man in the blue suit shot Joey a sharp look before walking over and pressing a finger to his lips, signaling for silence.Joey raised his hands and nodded, acknowledging the silent command. The man leaned close, his voice a low murmur near Joey's ear."This desert isn’t like any other. You won’t find blood or chaos here. It’s a place where silence and peace reign."Joey froze, his eyes darting around the still desert. It was as if time itself had stopped, trapping everything in an eerie, timeless state."Even the wind seems afraid to blow here," Joey muttered, more to himself than to the man.The man bowed his head slightly before stepping aside. Joey’s gaze shifted to Samuel, who stood before a gravestone, silhouetted against the blazing sun. The sight sent a shiver down Joey's spine.There was something about this place—something deeply unsettling. It felt as if the desert itself had died, its silence too profound to be peaceful. Joey couldn’t reconcile the word "peace" with the
BENEATH THE MASK: REVENGE OF SAMUEL HAYES 16
A cigarette still dangling from Samuel's mouth was immediately extinguished as soon as Joey returned to the car.Joey's associates, who had been following them earlier, ran up with several others to meet Samuel. “Mr. Hayes, safe travels,” their leader said.Samuel chuckled. “I don’t know if that’s sarcasm or not, but I’ll take it. Going to prison is indeed an interesting journey that I need to be safe.”The officers wore disheartened expressions. After everything that had just transpired and considering the impact Samuel had made over time, they were quite saddened to see him end up behind bars. No one could accept that Samuel had been framed, except the criminals themselves.“Look at their faces. I hope your next steps are good ones, Mr. Hayes,” Joey said, swallowing hard and gazing at Samuel with questions in his eyes. “Where are we heading?”Joey got no immediate answer.Samuel seemed lost in the barren scenery outside the window. Joey felt a rising urge to yell, to force Sam
BENEATH THE MASK: REVENGE OF SAMUEL HAYES 17
Madeline approached Gideon amidst the flames of ambition, taking advantage of the moment to act sweet and supportive. “Listen to what my father said! Someone like you shouldn’t keep getting upset over a poor man like Samuel! That’s the weakness Samuel is looking for—he’s killing us slowly with his disgusting demeanor!” Madeline flipped her hair while deliberately tugging down the strap of her dress slightly. She was confident her alluring figure would captivate Gideon tonight. “You have no idea how lucky I feel…” Madeline leaned closer to Gideon’s ear, tiptoeing slightly, and whispered, “to be free of Samuel and to have you.” “Isn’t that right, Daddy? A son-in-law like Gideon is the perfect support for our family’s future. We’re equals!” Arthur raised his eyebrows, smiling proudly. Unfortunately, Madeline’s flattery passed through Gideon’s ears like a gust of wind. He wasn’t tempted at all. To him, Madeline was no more than a typical woman he might encounter on the str
BENEATH THE MASK: REVENGE OF SAMUEL HAYES 18
Joey stared at Samuel, who had been asleep for the past fifteen minutes. He felt too empathetic to wake Samuel, even though they had already arrived at the police station. “We’ve arrived, Chief?” Samuel asked as he suddenly opened his eyes. He smiled calmly and said, “I knew you’d been staring at me for a while. Why didn’t you just wake me up?” “Mr. Hayes, I just… I just didn’t want to put you through this,” Joey replied hesitantly. “There’s no other choice but to let this happen,” Samuel responded. “I also ask that you not overreact to this, Chief.” Samuel raised his eyebrows and gestured with his eyes for Joey to unlock the car door. As had happened many times before, Joey could never make Samuel retract his words. Joey signaled Douglaz and two other officers to approach. “What are you planning to tell them, Chief? Don’t bother. I don’t need any special treatment,” Samuel quipped. Joey merely bowed his head without responding. He then gave a sharp look to the
BENEATH THE MASK: REVENGE OF SAMUEL HAYES 19
Gideon quickly walked over to Arthur and Madeline, who were already in the mansion's backyard garden for breakfast. A cunning smile spread across Gideon's face. "I know the best thing that could really destroy Samuel, turning him to dust!" "What is it, Honey?" Madeline asked with her teasing smile. "I gave information about Samuel to my personal secretary, and they found out that Samuel owns a huge piece of private land on the outskirts of the city. Did you know about this, Mr. Brook?" Arthur shrugged. "I'm sure that's company money he's using illegally. You know, I often think about business and don't really care about other people's personal lives." Meanwhile, Madeline looked upset, her face twisted in frustration. She hit the side of the table hard. "I knew it! I've suspected this for a long time because he often disappears for days without any reason! I even asked his assistant, but they just said Samuel went with strangers! I’m sure he’s embezzling company money and h
BENEATH THE MASK: REVENGE OF SAMUEL HAYES 20
Joey was quite uneasy as he approached the cell. Joey's conviction was strong enough not to believe Arthur's words, but one thing made him waver. The Falcon. It was enough proof of how all the members of The Falcon were so submissive to Samuel. Joey acknowledged Samuel's wise demeanor and his powerful leadership aura. However, The Falcon's unconditional submission was still somewhat difficult to comprehend. With the new fact about the empty land owned by Samuel Hayes, suspicions of a special agreement between The Falcon and Samuel began to form in Joey's mind. "What happened, Chief Joey? Your face looks like you're holding back a thorn stuck in your foot," Samuel remarked, noticing Joey's restlessness as he stood before the cell. Joey stared at Samuel with a troubled expression. His mind replayed the image of everyone in The West Line submitting to Samuel yesterday. Such a strong influence made it plausible that Samuel could be involved in a dangerous and illicit trans
BENEATH THE MASK: REVENGE OF SAMUEL HAYES 21
Dozens of cars filled Arthur's front yard precisely at one in the afternoon.A long table was set up in front of the luxurious mansion worth hundreds of millions of dollars, and Arthur was more than ready to launch an attack on Samuel."How do I look?" Gideon asked Madeline, busy adjusting his slicked-back hair in front of the mirror.Madeline looked captivated, her mouth slightly agape as she admired Gideon's handsomeness."I’ve never seen a man as perfect as you, Gideon. I still can't believe you're going to be my partner."Gideon glanced at Madeline with a slightly annoyed expression.Once again, Madeline wasn’t his type, and hearing such remarks made him uncomfortable.He chuckled lightly without commenting and quickly left the room to approach Arthur, who seemed busy managing his assistants."Mr. Brook, is everything ready?" Gideon asked."Yes, the reporters have also arrived. We’re just waiting for my lawyer's signal.""Mr. Brook, everything is set," the lawyer standing at the f
BENEATH THE MASK: REVENGE OF SAMUEL HAYES 22
The answer given by Joey made Arthur less satisfied. What Arthur wanted was for Joey to shout loudly to oppose Samuel instead of giving a neutral statement. Arthur raised both hands above his head, asking the busy journalists who had been questioning Joey about Samuel’s whereabouts to be quiet. “I don’t want to waste time, and I’m not someone who talks without evidence!” “Everyone here, including you, Chief Joey, surely understands the strong influence my family has.” “How many parts of this city have become prosperous? Answer me!” Everyone fell silent and was stunned by Arthur’s voice, full of anger. “I can see how you all think my words are just nonsense! I know it!” Arthur shouted again, then took a deep breath. Arthur’s unstable condition made Gideon want to take over, but Arthur immediately turned to him and said, “Let me speak, you sit there!” Arthur was truly out of control; every journalist present had paid little attention to the issue he raised earlier. The
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\The road to the Vale of Remnants wasn’t marked on any map. It was hidden, buried beneath centuries of secrecy and natural camouflage. Eli had given them a tattered scroll, ink faded but still legible, containing coordinates only someone with the sigil could decipher. As they left the last paved road behind, the air grew heavier, laced with static. Trees loomed taller here, their twisted trunks like sentinels watching every move.Samuel sat in the backseat, staring out at the encroaching forest, his mind reeling. The Mark of Ascendance pulsed under his sleeve with quiet insistence, as if reacting to their proximity to the boundary. Every time he blinked, he saw that throne again—ancient and immense, its surface etched with glowing veins of light and shadow.Joey drove in tense silence. He had stopped cracking jokes two hours ago, when the GPS died and the radio began spitting out bursts of static mixed with those same whispered voices Samuel had been hearing. Sarah sat beside him, ey
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The handshake lingered longer than it should have, and when Marcus finally let go, Samuel wiped his hand on his coat, as if trying to rid himself of something foul. The warehouse hit had gone clean, precise, but that didn’t matter now. Callahan’s warning refused to quiet in Samuel’s head. The real players—the ones who truly run this city—are still out there.Back at the safe house, the atmosphere was no warmer than when they had left. Olivia was asleep on the couch, her breathing shallow but even. Rafael stood by the window, watching the street, while Evelyn leaned against the wall, arms crossed, the lines of tension etched deeper into her face.“You okay?” Samuel asked, stepping beside her.She didn’t answer at first. Then, quietly, “We just shot a man in cold blood, and I don’t feel a thing. That’s not normal.”Samuel glanced at her. “Normal left the building a long time ago.”Rafael spoke up. “We’ve stirred something up. Marcus might be useful, but he’s no ally. He plays sides, not
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'Hey, how about now? I am hungry'.There really was no other choice but to send a message to Gelael and go out with him. I couldn't possibly have to whine to Adrian, he might get really angry with me, because earlier he had offered to buy food straight away.Luckily, in no more than five minutes, Gelael arrived. I immediately got down and opened Gelael's car door when I saw that he had come with his friend. I immediately closed the front door and moved to the back. Unlucky! It's really embarrassing."Eh, sorry Emma, I forgot to tell you that I invited my brother, his name is Bon," said Gelael, Bon then extended his hand towards me."Emma," I said, shaking Bon's hand."Where are you going, sis?" Bon asked Gelael."Whatever, just a place to eat, a relaxed cafe, something delicious, if possible with live music," said Gelael.I sent a message to Gelael.'Why didn't you say that you would invite your brother, I was embarrassed because I suddenly opened the front door''Why should you be em
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"Why did you bring your brother? That's really cool," I asked."He was the one who wanted to come, he said he was bored at home, lazy about being told by his older brother, so I just invited him, do you feel bothered?" Gelael asked back."No, it's up to you, whoever you want to invite," I answered.Gelael smiled, he kept looking at me, I became uncomfortable."What now?" I asked Gelael."Nothing, I'm just happy to see you again, forgive all my stupidity yesterday, I think I was possessed by the ghost of a woman, that's why I acted so annoyingly," said Gelael."There's no need to discuss it any further, just assume that if you're crazy, I understand," I said.Gelael laughed, he looked back at me while supporting his chin. A very annoying pose for me, I ignored it and immediately played with my cellphone.Adrian sent photos of the food being served at Sandra's house, lots of it. It looked like they were having a luxurious party, Sandra was also seen smiling holding a lobster. I'm gratef
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“Why, just because I said something wrong earlier? "I'm sorry, I didn't mean it, don't be angry like this, we can discuss other things that are more interesting," replied Gelael."What else can I discuss with you?" I asked."What, I don't know either, there are many things I could tell you but you won't hear them, you understand what I mean," said Gelael, he looked at me sharply."Yeah, thank you, I don't want to hear it one bit," I answered.Gelael raised his eyebrows, he then opened his cellphone. Likewise with me. I also kept myself busy by opening my cellphone.I looked around, people seemed to be chatting with each other, sharing stories, laughing, and making memorable memories. Meanwhile we were both just busy with our own affairs. There are no more words, no more stories that we can talk about, it's all over.Likewise with this relationship, it should be completely over, it cannot be forced. Between the two of us we still have wounds and hopes, I have wounds that have not yet h
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Adrian sat on the sofa in front of the television, leaned his head against the sofa cushion, he closed his eyes, from his expression I could tell that Adrian felt very tired and depressed."Sandra apologized to me earlier, she told me about how all this could happen, I was very touched," said Adrian, still with the same expression."That's all he said?" I asked.Adrian opened his eyes, he squinted at me."What else did he tell you? Is there anything else?” Adrian asked me with a confused and curious face."Yes, she told me how she broke up with Hudson, and how all this madness started," I answered, I sat next to Adrian.“Hudson? What did he tell you? "He just said that, all of this has nothing to do with me, all the mistakes that exist are proof that he was guilty and negligent, he was just being hit by anxiety and worry about his life, so he finally chose a shortcut to calm himself down," said Adrian."I don't want to talk about this problem because it is Sandra's personal matter, bu
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"Whoever is stressed, it seems like he is talking about himself," I said quietly. I then closed the door and locked it.What should I do now, it was still very early, I looked in the refrigerator, there was some ice cream that I hadn't eaten. Because I was hungry, I decided to cook instant noodles.After a few minutes, the instant noodles I made were ready and I brought them in front of the television. I turned on the television and ate the noodles I made. It's really delicious.Days like this are sometimes very enjoyable, maybe you know what I mean, I haven't lived a normal life like someone without problems for a long time, so this sometimes becomes an interesting habit.Gelael sent me a message saying good morning, I ignored it. I've really decided to keep my distance from Gelael, I don't want to have to play with everything at my young age all the time.By the way, it's December 28th, it's great that Adrian is still working at the end of the year, what a busy businessman. Sometime
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We arrived at the mall where Gelael and I met again for the first time after we separated."Let's just go straight to the salon, okay? My head feels very heavy," said Sandra, she then took my hand and we started walking along the mall."So how did that happen, I really can't comment reading what you just showed me, I'm very happy," I said, Sandra's smile couldn't hide her feelings which were also very happy."Why did I ask Adrian to come home last night? Because I really opened my mind, I apologized to Adrian and asked him not to think about all the things I did, I thought there were things I had to finish before it was too late. So after Adrian came home, I immediately called Tommy and talked to him. Including my meeting with Adrian, Hudson and what just happened, maybe we talked for almost three hours, I have become relieved and open since telling you, so I am really grateful that because of you I can have the courage to admit those things. At first I was hesitant to call Tommy, but
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The safe house felt colder than usual. The air was thick with tension, the kind that settled in your bones and refused to let go. Samuel sat in the corner of the dimly lit room, his fingers lightly tapping against his knee. Evelyn was across from him, tending to Olivia, who lay on the couch with a blanket wrapped around her.Damon paced near the window, his agitation barely contained. “This doesn’t feel like a win,” he muttered. “We took out Vincent, got Olivia back, but something feels... off.”Samuel knew exactly what he meant. The words of the dying man at the warehouse still echoed in his mind. There are worse monsters coming.“We don’t have time to celebrate,” Samuel said finally. “Vincent may be dead, but that doesn’t mean we’re safe. Power like his doesn’t just disappear—it shifts.”Evelyn looked up, her expression tired but determined. “Then we make sure no one else takes it.”Damon scoffed. “That’s a nice thought, but how? We’re just four people against an entire city of crim
