BENEATH THE MASK: REVENGE OF SAMUEL HAYES

1

Boom Boom Boom!

The sound of knocking reverberated through the quiet night.

“Who’s at the door?” Samuel murmured groggily.

The clock on the wall showed 1 a.m.—far too late for visitors.

“Open the door, or we’ll break it down!”

A commanding voice from outside made Samuel quicken his steps.

As he passed the window, his gaze caught the faint flicker of police sirens.

Shock coursed through him when he opened the door and found three police officers standing there.

“Mr. Hayes, you’re under arrest”

One of the officers, a man with a thick mustache, held out an arrest warrant. 

Fraud, embezzlement, forgery, and tax evasion

It’s all about the company. 

His mind raced back to his years of dedication to J&S Corp, which belonged to his fiancée’s family.

J&S Corp was nothing more than a company riddled with issues, leaving behind environmental destruction, loss of lives, and tangled government problems.

However, everything became clear when Samuel entered the company.

Samuel had put everything to rescue the company from near bankruptcy.

Three relentless years spent rebuilding the Brooks family's struggling business.

He used his own methods, not only solving the company's problems but also boosting the local economy by 200%.

The job environment, salaries, and all the extra benefits were highly praised.

Locals often said that if Samuel Hayes ran for president, they'd vote for him.

Given all this, the accusation was just ridiculous.

Samuel squinted at the officer’s name tag.

“Well, Officer Douglaz,” Samuel said, his voice calm but biting, “I’d gladly come with you if those accusations were even remotely true.”

“If you have any defense, you can make it at the station!” Officer Douglaz replied curtly.

Douglaz signaled his subordinates to escort Samuel, but Samuel frowned.

“Officers. You’ve got the wrong man.”

“Enough of this nonsense!”

A sharp, cold voice cut through the tension, coming from behind the officers.

A woman with blond hair stepped forward, her movements deliberate.

“Madeline?” Samuel whispered, disbelief clouding his face.

His fiancée, the sole heir to J&S Corp, stood before him with an icy smile. Her piercing eyes full of scorn.

“Do you want to protest?” she asked, her voice dripping with mockery.

Their eyes met, and Samuel’s fists clenched tightly.

Everything was clear now.

He recalled the warnings of his colleagues about the Brooks family’s ruthlessness. 

Yet, he had always turned a deaf ear, believing such treachery could never reach him.

For Samuel, none of this had ever felt real, as he had been raised by the third generation of the Brooks family—Madeline’s grandparents.

Samuel’s parents had worked for Madeline’s grandparents, but tragically, a fatal incident claimed the lives of Samuel’s parents and Madeline’s grandmother.

Ten-year-old Samuel was then taken in by Madeline’s grandfather and her parents.

Sadly, Madeline’s grandfather followed his true love in death exactly ten months after the incident.

Before his passing, he left a will instructing Madeline’s parents to care for Samuel.

Jonathan Brooks, Madeline’s father, initially had no desire to raise Samuel, but Samuel was considered a smart and obedient child.

Clearly, Jonathan took advantage of this.

Though Madeline had always been cold toward him, treating him as nothing more than a servant.

Everything changed four years ago when Samuel decided he wanted to leave the Brooks family home.

Jonathan Brooks then insisted that Samuel become engaged to Madeline. 

He made Samuel take control of J&S Corp, which was on the verge of being seized by the government.

But now, betrayal stared him in the face, cloaked in Madeline’s smug grin.

A sharp chime interrupted the moment as Madeline’s phone lit up. 

Samuel caught the name on the screen: Gideon.

Recognition dawned. 

He remembered the rumors of an arranged marriage between the Brooks and the powerful Hawthorne family.

He thought it was just rumors. Madeline wouldn't cheat on him.

“Ah,” Samuel muttered with a bitter chuckle. “I see now.”

Madeline slid her phone into her pocket and pushed Samuel’s shoulder with disdain.

“What do you think you know, fool?” she sneered.

Samuel’s expression hardened. 

“Everything about what’s happening now. But I do wonder, Madeline—do you honestly believe J&S Corp will thrive without me?”

Madeline laughed, her voice sharp and mocking. “You think you’re irreplaceable? How pathetic.”

Samuel’s voice turned cold. “You’re treating me like disposable trash, are you? Madeline? Kick me out after everything I’ve done?”

Madeline stepped closer, her face inches from his, her tone venomous.

“Don’t act like a victim, Samuel. You were useful for a time, but now you’re just dead weight. J&S Corp doesn’t need you anymore.”

“Then J&S Corp is doomed,” Samuel replied simply.