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2024-12-23 17:37:11“How?! Why?!” Joey’s eyes widened in shock as he entered the room.
“What the hell happened?!”
The others stayed silent, stunned as they watched him.
None of them had expected Joey to show up.
Known for solving the toughest cases, Chief Joey Gunther was even rumored to be a contender for governor.
To them, someone like Samuel was far too insignificant to warrant Joey rushing to the station in the middle of the night—let alone in such a hurry!
They had never seen their chief speak to anyone with such a respectful tone.
The young officer who had just threatened to shove Samuel’s head in a toilet quietly stepped back, terrified of facing Joey’s possible wrath.
It was clear to those present that Samuel was no ordinary man to Joey.
“Um, Chief Gunther, Mr. Hayes--” Douglaz began.
But Joey cut him off with a raised hand, his face a mix of frustration and concern.
Joey sat down, exhaling deeply, and turned his attention back to Samuel.
“Relax, take a deep breath, Chief,” Samuel said calmly.
“Why are you here, Mr. Hayes?” Joey asked.
“Madaline reported me. She provided ‘evidence’.” Samuel replied.
“Madaline? Your fiancée?!” Joey asked, stunned.
He placed the cigarette on the table.
“What charges are they accusing you of?”
“Fraud, embezzlement, forgery, and tax evasion,” Samuel replied.
“Are you fucking kidding me? Could they not come up with something more reasonable?!”
Joey spun his chair toward the three officers standing behind him.
He got up, appearing ready to strike one of them, but Samuel quickly intervened.
“There’s no point in hitting them, Chief Joey. Stop.”
Joey lowered his hand and shook his head slowly.
“I’ve warned them countless times not to blindly accept reports filed by businessmen like the Brooks family or anyone else!”
Joey snapped; his face flushed with anger.
“Do you have any idea that if it weren’t for Mr. Hayes, I wouldn’t even be here?!”
Joey barked, his voice shaking with emotion.
The three officers lowered their heads, growing increasingly uneasy about Samuel’s significance to Joey.
“I still remember how dry my throat was, how I couldn’t swallow for months in Brownsville! I thought the light I saw when the door opened was hell, that my time was up!”
“But I was wrong. What I saw was Mr. Hayes!”
Joey declared, his eyes glistening with a mix of awe and gratitude.
Samuel just offered a smile.
Brownsville was infamous for smuggling and drug trafficking, a reputation that cast a dark shadow over its heavily armed residents.
Suspicious of outsiders, the locals were hostile to anyone not from the area.
J&S Corp had no choice but to pass through Brownsville due to its strategic location by the sea and proximity to key cities.
When operations resumed, Samuel had personally stepped in to address the challenges in the area.
Samuel boldly entered Brownsville alone, negotiating with local groups and influential figures.
His exceptional persuasion skills yielded extraordinary results, significantly reducing illegal activities in the area.
Most remarkable was the rescue of three government agents who had been reported missing—one of them being Joey.
These two monumental events left an indelible impression on Joey, solidifying Samuel’s near-mythical status in his eyes.
“Without a doubt, I can guarantee that Mr. Hayes did nothing wrong,” Joey said.
The three officers exchanged uneasy glances, visibly shaken by Joey’s fervent defense of Samuel.
The anger they initially felt toward Samuel began to dissipate, replaced by doubt over the validity of the report.
Joey’s unwavering declaration cast serious doubt on the allegations against Samuel.
“Alright, Chief, that’s all in the past now. No need to dwell on it. There are more pressing matters,” Samuel said.
Joey nodded, his sharp gaze fixed on Samuel. “Yes, I’ll talk to Brooks. You—”
“I only came here to inform you that I’m heading to the West Line,” Samuel interrupted.
His words made Joey and the three officers freeze in shock.
“You’re joking, right, Mr. Hayes?!” Joey asked, panic evident in his voice.
The West Line was a desolate region with a fearsome reputation.
Spanning a vast desert of fiery red dunes that seemed to burn under the sun’s glare, it was a lawless place, abandoned even by authorities.
The few inhabitants who remained were said to be even more brutal than those in Brownsville.
Samuel shrugged, as if he had just mentioned going to a party instead of the most dangerous place.
“You know, Chief, I never joke.”
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BENEATH THE MASK: REVENGE OF SAMUEL HAYES 4
If there's anything more terrifying than a crime, it's the West Line.That sentence was always drilled into the heads of every law enforcement officer and government official.So, it was clear—Samuel’s request to go to West Line was the most insane idea they had ever heard."I’m sure you’re fully aware of how West Line operates, Mr. Hayes, and it’s not a good idea!"Joey clenched his fists, his expression filled with unease. He ruffled his hair in frustration."The largest supplier of every kind of drug is there! It’s the hub!" "And that’s not even mentioning the weapons assembly distributed on a massive scale, or the human trafficking! Oh, my God!"Douglaz, who had been sitting silently with his head bowed, took a deep breath. He looked up, raising one hand."Permission to add, Chief—one of my friends died when he entered West Line.""His body was never found. All that was sent to his house was a small box.""That box contained... his finger bone."Joey slammed the table, shouting,
BENEATH THE MASK: REVENGE OF SAMUEL HAYES 5
The Hawthorne Corporation still appeared glamorous from the outside.They excelled at manipulating public perception.In reality, their internal funds were completely drained.The rising success of J&S Corp naturally caught their attention.If they could take over J&S effortlessly, it would be the lifeline the Hawthornes desperately needed.Gideon was a habitual troublemaker with a history of digital scandals.If his affair with an English official’s wife hadn’t gone public, he wouldn’t have agreed to marry Madaline.Even so, it was all to secure what little remained of his crumbling fortune.Per their agreement, J&S was set to fall entirely under the Hawthornes’ control.“You’re the same—always so charismatic I can’t take my eyes off you, Gideon.” Madaline smiled.“I’ve prepared a fantastic spot for us.” She playfully pulled Gideon toward the car.Their destination was Aurora Époque, an opulent venue requiring a $100,000 deposit just to reserve.Madaline had arranged the most luxurio
BENEATH THE MASK: REVENGE OF SAMUEL HAYES 6
Madeline's eyes widened, her breath catching in her throat as she reflexively turned toward the restaurant's back door.The muffled sounds of Arthur and Gideon’s conversation faded into the background.She couldn't focus; her attention had been snatched by the name she had just heard mentioned by a waiter.“What’s wrong, Madeline?” Arthur’s voice pulled her back for a moment. His brow furrowed with mild concern as he leaned toward her from across the table.Madeline straightened, shaking her head quickly. “Nothing. I just need to use the restroom for a moment.”Without waiting for a response, she pushed back her chair and stood, her steps hurried and purposeful.Her heart pounded in her chest as she followed the faint sound of voices toward the back door, her unease growing with every step.“Mr. Hayes! Oh, my, it’s an honor for us to welcome you!”The words hit her like a thunderclap, freezing her in place for a moment.They were unmistakable now, and they spurred her into action.Mad
BENEATH THE MASK: REVENGE OF SAMUEL HAYES 7
Arthur’s face darkened with anger. “Don’t act like you know him! You’re trash and unworthy of speaking to my daughter!”Madeline, still seething, stepped forward as if to strike Samuel again, but Gideon intercepted her, gently pulling her back.“Let me handle this,” Gideon said, his tone dripping with condescension. He was clearly eager to play the hero.His ego, already bruised by the restaurant manager’s earlier praise of Samuel, now demanded satisfaction.He cracked his knuckles theatrically, drawing everyone’s attention.“What the hell are you doing? Arrest him already!” Arthur barked at the security guards.“Calm down, Mr. Brooks,” Gideon said with a smug grin. “It’s less interesting if we send him back immediately. I’ll handle this first.”Gideon squared his shoulders, adopting a fighting stance.As the pampered son of a wealthy family, he had access to all the trappings of privilege, including martial arts training.Taekwondo was his chosen discipline, and he was eager to showc
BENEATH THE MASK: REVENGE OF SAMUEL HAYES 8
Madeline, despite everything, was someone he once loved.The greatest insult Samuel could not tolerate.“How dare you, Samuel!” Madeline shouted, her voice piercing through the tension-filled air.“Damn! You’re finished today!” Arthur roared, his face red with fury. His eyes darted to the security guard standing nearby, frozen in place.He stormed toward the guard, yelling, “Are you blind? What are you waiting for? Why are you just standing there? Arrest—”“Wait, what’s going on here?!”Arthur’s rant was cut short as the head of security stepped onto the backyard patio.“Ah, thank goodness you’re here,” Arthur exclaimed, rushing toward him. “I ordered your subordinate to arrest that criminal over there, but he just stood there doing nothing!”Arthur pointed at Samuel, his voice dripping with authority. “Arrest him now, or everyone here will regret it!”The head of security’s face changed the moment he recognized Samuel. His body trembled visibly, fear radiating from him.“Mr. Hayes!”
BENEATH THE MASK: REVENGE OF SAMUEL HAYES 9
Gideon's eyes, which had originally looked at Joey with pleading, immediately changed to that of a tiger eyeing its prey. He, who had been kneeling, stood up and gave a cynical smile."Nowhere, it's so hard for the police to work seriously, pfft!"Gideon patted Joey on the shoulder and said, "I hope you catch and take this scoundrel away soon! Don’t let The Hawthorne get involved any further!"Joey shuddered upon hearing that sentence. If it weren’t for Samuel, Joey would have punched Gideon in the face with one blow.Just as Joey was about to step toward Samuel, Gideon stopped him again."You know The Hawthorne, right?" Gideon asked, craving validation.Joey calmly nodded. "Sure, Mr. Hawthorne.""Take him quickly! I'm tired of looking at his face!" Lisa screamed.Joey took out handcuffs and immediately cuffed Samuel's hands roughly."Come on, Mr. Hayes, don’t resist and come with me!"A satisfied gleam flashed in The Brooks and Gideon's eyes. Meanwhile, the restaurant staff stared wi
BENEATH THE MASK: REVENGE OF SAMUEL HAYES 10
“Are you saying he’s rotten? Talk to my ass, Arthur Brooks!”“What are you worried about now? This city’s economic growth has soared thanks to my company and will certainly increase under Gideon Hawthorne’s leadership!”Arthur approached Mayor Smith and said, “Gideon is the ideal partner for my company: well-educated, with an excellent background. Do you know Samuel Hayes? Both of his parents were servants in my family!”“Oh, come on, do you think I’m blind to how much chaos the Hawthornes have caused in many countries?”The mayor shot a cynical look at Gideon.“I even know the scandals this young man has if I dig deeper. Cut off my hand if he can do better than Samuel!”“Hawthorne’s ambition has long turned into greed, and we don’t even know how much wealth they actually have.”“One of their houses in England was secretly auctioned off. Doesn’t that show their finances are not doing well?”“I’m not convinced that J&S will thrive; you’re both just playing a game.” Mayor Smith’s words
BENEATH THE MASK: REVENGE OF SAMUEL HAYES 11
Joey’s eyes were bloodshot from fighting off sleep as he monitored the hotel’s surroundings from the window.Since their arrival until now, at two in the morning, Joey hadn’t stopped his vigilant watch.“Get some rest. How long are you going to keep this up?” mumbled Samuel, his eyes already closed.“Until I figure out the cause of this strange situation, Mr. Hayes!”The drowsiness that had started to creep in immediately vanished. Joey shifted his gaze back to the window.Samuel felt the same unease, though it was because of Joey’s behavior. He got out of bed, pulled up another chair, and sat beside Joey.“BrownsVille and The Falcon weren’t enough to make you stop?” Samuel asked.Joey shook his head and shot Samuel a weary look. The urge to slap him for his stubborn attitude was almost overwhelming.“West Line is not something to be underestimated, Mr. Hayes.”“No one is underestimating this place, Chief Joey. You’re just overreacting,” Samuel replied.Joey loosened his already loose
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- BENEATH THE MASK: REVENGE OF SAMUEL HAYES
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Silence still filled the air.Joey and the three other officers exchanged glances without end."They're not members of Mr. Hayes' team, you heard that, right?" Joey's friend mumbled."Yeah, I’m not deaf."Joey replied curtly, his eyes still fixed on Samuel and the suited man in front of him.He still couldn't accept the reality of it all.Not because he was jealous or resentful of Samuel's greatness.Joey was simply confused about how everything was connected.The Falcon was a warlord notorious for his cruelty and viciousness.He wasn’t an ordinary man; his army was known for being incredibly tough and undefeated.No one knew how many lives had been claimed by them.The Falcon was always in conflict with many nations, and his stop at the border was one of those things that defied all logic.And now, all the questions swirling in Joey’s head grew louder as he observed the behavior of The Falcon’s crew toward Samuel.Who exactly was Samuel Hayes?"So, you’ve all been guarding this place
- BENEATH THE MASK: REVENGE OF SAMUEL HAYES
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“Good morning,” Joey greeted them, only to be met with silence.Returning to the room, Joey found Samuel lounging on the bed.“It’s safe, Mr. Hayes, but I think it’s best if you stay here until midday,” Joey suggested.“Why? Aren’t you returning to the city?” Samuel asked.“I planned to, but I can work from the nearest police station. I’ll return by noon, and then we can head to the desert together,” Joey offered.Samuel chuckled, shaking his head.A sense of foreboding crept into Joey’s mind.“The scorching heat clouds judgment and spawns bad ideas. Morning is the best time to observe the West Line,” Samuel said. “You’ve done more than enough for me, Chief. I don’t want to burden you further.”Samuel stood and embraced the Chief, ensuring no room for argument. He then calmly left the room, walking out as if West Line were a vacation spot.Joey watched closely, observing Samuel as he approached the two receptionists.His eyes widened when he saw the receptionists speaking to Samuel wi
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11
Joey’s eyes were bloodshot from fighting off sleep as he monitored the hotel’s surroundings from the window.Since their arrival until now, at two in the morning, Joey hadn’t stopped his vigilant watch.“Get some rest. How long are you going to keep this up?” mumbled Samuel, his eyes already closed.“Until I figure out the cause of this strange situation, Mr. Hayes!”The drowsiness that had started to creep in immediately vanished. Joey shifted his gaze back to the window.Samuel felt the same unease, though it was because of Joey’s behavior. He got out of bed, pulled up another chair, and sat beside Joey.“BrownsVille and The Falcon weren’t enough to make you stop?” Samuel asked.Joey shook his head and shot Samuel a weary look. The urge to slap him for his stubborn attitude was almost overwhelming.“West Line is not something to be underestimated, Mr. Hayes.”“No one is underestimating this place, Chief Joey. You’re just overreacting,” Samuel replied.Joey loosened his already loose
- BENEATH THE MASK: REVENGE OF SAMUEL HAYES
10
“Are you saying he’s rotten? Talk to my ass, Arthur Brooks!”“What are you worried about now? This city’s economic growth has soared thanks to my company and will certainly increase under Gideon Hawthorne’s leadership!”Arthur approached Mayor Smith and said, “Gideon is the ideal partner for my company: well-educated, with an excellent background. Do you know Samuel Hayes? Both of his parents were servants in my family!”“Oh, come on, do you think I’m blind to how much chaos the Hawthornes have caused in many countries?”The mayor shot a cynical look at Gideon.“I even know the scandals this young man has if I dig deeper. Cut off my hand if he can do better than Samuel!”“Hawthorne’s ambition has long turned into greed, and we don’t even know how much wealth they actually have.”“One of their houses in England was secretly auctioned off. Doesn’t that show their finances are not doing well?”“I’m not convinced that J&S will thrive; you’re both just playing a game.” Mayor Smith’s words
- BENEATH THE MASK: REVENGE OF SAMUEL HAYES
9
Gideon's eyes, which had originally looked at Joey with pleading, immediately changed to that of a tiger eyeing its prey. He, who had been kneeling, stood up and gave a cynical smile."Nowhere, it's so hard for the police to work seriously, pfft!"Gideon patted Joey on the shoulder and said, "I hope you catch and take this scoundrel away soon! Don’t let The Hawthorne get involved any further!"Joey shuddered upon hearing that sentence. If it weren’t for Samuel, Joey would have punched Gideon in the face with one blow.Just as Joey was about to step toward Samuel, Gideon stopped him again."You know The Hawthorne, right?" Gideon asked, craving validation.Joey calmly nodded. "Sure, Mr. Hawthorne.""Take him quickly! I'm tired of looking at his face!" Lisa screamed.Joey took out handcuffs and immediately cuffed Samuel's hands roughly."Come on, Mr. Hayes, don’t resist and come with me!"A satisfied gleam flashed in The Brooks and Gideon's eyes. Meanwhile, the restaurant staff stared wi
- BENEATH THE MASK: REVENGE OF SAMUEL HAYES
8
Madeline, despite everything, was someone he once loved.The greatest insult Samuel could not tolerate.“How dare you, Samuel!” Madeline shouted, her voice piercing through the tension-filled air.“Damn! You’re finished today!” Arthur roared, his face red with fury. His eyes darted to the security guard standing nearby, frozen in place.He stormed toward the guard, yelling, “Are you blind? What are you waiting for? Why are you just standing there? Arrest—”“Wait, what’s going on here?!”Arthur’s rant was cut short as the head of security stepped onto the backyard patio.“Ah, thank goodness you’re here,” Arthur exclaimed, rushing toward him. “I ordered your subordinate to arrest that criminal over there, but he just stood there doing nothing!”Arthur pointed at Samuel, his voice dripping with authority. “Arrest him now, or everyone here will regret it!”The head of security’s face changed the moment he recognized Samuel. His body trembled visibly, fear radiating from him.“Mr. Hayes!”
- BENEATH THE MASK: REVENGE OF SAMUEL HAYES
7
Arthur’s face darkened with anger. “Don’t act like you know him! You’re trash and unworthy of speaking to my daughter!”Madeline, still seething, stepped forward as if to strike Samuel again, but Gideon intercepted her, gently pulling her back.“Let me handle this,” Gideon said, his tone dripping with condescension. He was clearly eager to play the hero.His ego, already bruised by the restaurant manager’s earlier praise of Samuel, now demanded satisfaction.He cracked his knuckles theatrically, drawing everyone’s attention.“What the hell are you doing? Arrest him already!” Arthur barked at the security guards.“Calm down, Mr. Brooks,” Gideon said with a smug grin. “It’s less interesting if we send him back immediately. I’ll handle this first.”Gideon squared his shoulders, adopting a fighting stance.As the pampered son of a wealthy family, he had access to all the trappings of privilege, including martial arts training.Taekwondo was his chosen discipline, and he was eager to showc
- BENEATH THE MASK: REVENGE OF SAMUEL HAYES
6
Madeline's eyes widened, her breath catching in her throat as she reflexively turned toward the restaurant's back door.The muffled sounds of Arthur and Gideon’s conversation faded into the background.She couldn't focus; her attention had been snatched by the name she had just heard mentioned by a waiter.“What’s wrong, Madeline?” Arthur’s voice pulled her back for a moment. His brow furrowed with mild concern as he leaned toward her from across the table.Madeline straightened, shaking her head quickly. “Nothing. I just need to use the restroom for a moment.”Without waiting for a response, she pushed back her chair and stood, her steps hurried and purposeful.Her heart pounded in her chest as she followed the faint sound of voices toward the back door, her unease growing with every step.“Mr. Hayes! Oh, my, it’s an honor for us to welcome you!”The words hit her like a thunderclap, freezing her in place for a moment.They were unmistakable now, and they spurred her into action.Mad
- BENEATH THE MASK: REVENGE OF SAMUEL HAYES
5
The Hawthorne Corporation still appeared glamorous from the outside.They excelled at manipulating public perception.In reality, their internal funds were completely drained.The rising success of J&S Corp naturally caught their attention.If they could take over J&S effortlessly, it would be the lifeline the Hawthornes desperately needed.Gideon was a habitual troublemaker with a history of digital scandals.If his affair with an English official’s wife hadn’t gone public, he wouldn’t have agreed to marry Madaline.Even so, it was all to secure what little remained of his crumbling fortune.Per their agreement, J&S was set to fall entirely under the Hawthornes’ control.“You’re the same—always so charismatic I can’t take my eyes off you, Gideon.” Madaline smiled.“I’ve prepared a fantastic spot for us.” She playfully pulled Gideon toward the car.Their destination was Aurora Époque, an opulent venue requiring a $100,000 deposit just to reserve.Madaline had arranged the most luxurio
