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2024-12-27 14:24:43Douglas met Nelson’s gaze without flinching.
“I was brought in on accusations of corruption, bribery, and solicitation,” he said casually, as though discussing the weather. Nelson’s face twisted in shock. “What?!” He nearly jumped out of his skin, his reaction so abrupt that even the officers flinched. Nelson couldn’t believe his ears. The man before him was none other than the same Douglas Garnett who, over the past four years, had revolutionized PortVarter State. Under Douglas’s leadership, schools had been built, child trafficking rings dismantled, infrastructure modernized, and healthcare for ordinary citizens drastically improved. Prices had stabilized, production increased, crime fought relentlessly, and social welfare programs enhanced to benefit everyone. Even the mayor of Grena, a notoriously tough and critical figure, had treated Douglas with the utmost respect, often speaking to him with the politeness reserved for dignitaries. “Impossible!” Nelson blurted out, his disbelief spilling into his voice. “Someone like you accused of such crimes? You’ve done nothing but work for the betterment of PortVarter. Who in their right mind would—” Before Nelson could finish, Douglas interrupted him with a wave of his hand. “Chief Nelson,” he said, with a firm but calm tone, “I didn’t come here to discuss what I’ve done or haven’t done. I came to let you know something.” Nelson straightened, his confusion mounting. “What is it?” Douglas leaned forward slightly. “I plan to visit Maccano Mountain before I’m jailed.” Nelson froze, his eyes widening in surprise. “Maccano Mountain? But why?” Maccano Mountain was a towering, snow-capped peak at the southern edge of PortVarter, famed for its breathtaking beauty and treacherous terrain. It was more than just a natural wonder—it was the state’s final barrier before the lawless, chaotic regions to the south, known as the eternal abyss. The mountain was notorious for the countless lives it had claimed, with many deaths going unnoticed due to the remoteness and danger of the area. Douglas leaned back, his expression inscrutable. “That’s not something you need to know. I’m just informing you because, at the moment, I’m technically a man with a criminal record.” Nelson frowned, clearly uneasy. “If that’s your decision… I can’t stop you. But Maccano Mountain is dangerous, and the area around it even more so. "Why don't you let me accompany you, Mr. Garnett, to ensure your safety?” Douglas gave a small, almost imperceptible smile, then stood without another word. The two uninformed officers, pale and drenched in cold sweat, stood to the side, too scared to even meet Douglas’s gaze. As Douglas walked toward the exit, Nelson fell in step beside him. It was only then that realization began to dawn on the seasoned station chief. The accusations against Douglas weren’t mere coincidence—they were part of a larger scheme. Someone powerful, likely connected to Governor Clarke, had orchestrated this! Nelson’s heart sank. He knew that if Douglas was taken out of the equation, PortVarter State would crumble under the weight of its unresolved problems. Gangs would return, corruption would flourish, and the fragile peace Douglas had painstakingly built would shatter. Nelson shuddered, unwilling to imagine the chaos that would follow. Without hesitation, he immediately called Lieutenant Governor Mason to report the situation. Mason was stunned upon hearing the news. How could Douglas, of all people, be arrested as a criminal? He struggled to comprehend the shocking news, fully aware of who Douglas was and what he represented in PortVarter State. After a brief pause, he assured Nelson that he would contact the Governor to check if he was aware of the arrest. As soon as Mason hung up, a nagging feeling lingered—something didn’t add up. If the Governor was indeed behind the arrest, it was a serious misstep. Mason couldn't shake the thought of how Douglas's arrest might negatively impact PortVarter. After ending the call, the station Chief, Nelson directed one of the officers, "Prepare a vehicle." Within minutes, a sleek black SUV pulled up, driven by Don, one of Nelson’s most reliable officers. Don stepped out and saluted sharply, his expression one of respectful curiosity. “Chief Nelson,” he said. “The vehicle is ready.” Nelson gestured for Douglas to enter first, then followed him inside. He took his place in the driver’s seat, and the vehicle roared to life.
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Meanwhile, at Venice airport, Linda Clarke stepped out of her sleek, black luxury car. Dressed in an elegant crimson gown that shimmered under the airport lights, her high heels clicked rhythmically against the polished floors. She exuded confidence and poise. as she walked toward the VIP lounge to greet Marvin Drake, the eldest son of the powerful Drake family. Marvin was already waiting; his tailored suit emphasized his tall frame and sharp features. His confident smirk grew as he spotted Linda approaching. As the son of one of Sierra's most influential families, Marvin knew this alliance was his golden ticket. Taking over PortVarter would be a shortcut to more wealth and political prestige, propelling him into the upper echelons of power. “Linda,” he greeted warmly, extending his hand. “Marvin,” she replied with a dazzling smile, shaking his hand before leaning in for a brief air kiss on each cheek. "Welcome to PortVarter!” After exchanging pleasantries, Lin
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However, before Armand could finish his sentence, his words were cut short by Linda. “What does Douglas have to do with our dinner?”"Why would you ruin our mood by mentioning that criminal's name?" Linda snapped, her voice sharp and biting."Criminal?" Armand blinked in confusion.How could Douglas Garnett be called a criminal? Had they understood who he was talking about?"Haven't you heard the news?" Linda narrowed her eyes.Armand stammered, looking even more confused. "What... news?""I'm talking about the renowned Douglas Garnett who saved PortVarter..."Linda let out a sarcastic laugh."Look it up yourself. Douglas is a criminal involved in numerous crimes! He is nothing more than a dog we took in out of kindness.""Don't tell me you actually believe the ridiculous rumours about him—that he's some great leader who saved PortVarter..."Linda leaned back in her chair, a glass of expensive wine in hand, as she continued her tirade. "Let's be clear," she sneered, narrowing he
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The air in the room grew tense as all eyes turned to Lieutenant Governor, Mason.His stern gaze swept across the room, settling on Linda, Governor Clarke, and Marvin. “Who was foolish enough to suggest framing Douglas Garnett with charges of corruption, bribery, and prostitution?”Mason demanded, his tone sharp and accusatory.Linda, seated confidently beside her father, raised her chin defiantly. "Those charges are legitimate,” she snapped. “We have irrefutable evidence to prove it.”Mason's piercing gaze locked onto hers, and his lips curled into a cold sneer. "Evidence? Then show it to me,” he said, his voice laced with derision. “Produce this so-called proof that you've concocted to tarnish the name of the man who rebuilt this state from the ashes.”Linda's bravado faltered. Her face flushed, and her hands clenched into fists on the table. “Well?” Mason pressed, his tone growing sharper. “I'm waiting.”Linda opened her mouth to speak, but no words came. The silence that
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The tension in the dining hall reached its peak as Stewart and Marvin's expressions darkened upon hearing Lieutenant Governor Mason's cutting remarks. Linda shifted uncomfortably in her seat, glancing nervously between her father and Marvin. Stewart, his face flushed with anger, stood abruptly and slammed his fist against the table, causing the silverware to rattle.“How dare you speak to me like this, Mason!”He barked, his voice filled with indignation. “You think some uneducated, talentless orphan like Douglas Garnett is indispensable? Let me remind you that without my mercy, that man wouldn't even be alive today.”Mason, unshaken by the governor's outburst, crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow. His disdain was palpable. “Mercy, you say? Mercy didn’t build PortVarter’s roads or stabilize its economy. Mercy didn’t drive ‘The Baddie’ back across the border or save countless lives in this state. Mercy didn’t achieve a GDP of 20 trillion. Those accomplishments belong to Douglas
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Late that night, Chief Nelson drove the black SUV to the base of Maccano Mountain.The deeper they drove, the louder the faint rumble of gunfire echoed from the distant border.This region was always tense!The residents who lived here endured sleepless nights, flinching at the sound of gunfire, never knowing when conflict might sprout up again. But one thing had remained constant over the years: as long as Douglas Garnett oversaw PortVarter, the turmoil from beyond the border never truly crossed into the land. His presence held enough weight to keep certain forces at bay.Before alighting from the vehicle, Nelson felt a little uneasy about Douglas's safety.The whole area was too quiet—eerily so.Nelson had brought along a handful of trusted subordinates to escort Douglas.They scanned the darkened streets with their trained eyes before stepping out of the car. “Stay alert!” Nelson instructed them as he rounded the vehicle and opened the door for Douglas.Douglas stepped out calm
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In unison, the heavily armed personnel turned their heads toward Douglas. Then, in perfect synchrony, they saluted.The silence now felt thunderous. Nelson’s subordinates, equally shocked, exchanged bewildered glances. Their eyes snapped toward Douglas, who stood calm and unperturbed as though the display was nothing out of the ordinary."Sir…?" Nelson whispered, uncertain of what to say. He was filled with confusion!He wondered what kind of hidden identity Douglas possessed that made him command such reverence in the most dangerous region of PortVarter!However, Douglas remained still with his eyes sweeping the formal assembly before him. His gaze, as sharp as a blade, held the soldiers' attention like a magnet!Finally, in a calm and unwavering voice, he spoke,“Did ‘The Baddie’ at the border have a change of heart?” Douglas's voice was neither mocking nor harsh—it carried a quiet authority that seemed to demand answers without force. “Has he decided to break his promise not
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This time, another set of armed forces, wearing the distinct marks of rival warlords, stood silently on either side of the road. Each soldier had lowered their weapons and stood with heads bowed in eerie unison.Their gazes fixed downward as if avoiding eye contact with something—or someone—they dared not offend.“What is this…?” Nelson muttered to himself.Normally, this place was one of chaos—an unspoken battlefield where skirmishes between warlord factions erupted almost daily. Yet today, the landscape was unnaturally calm with armed forces seen all over the place!Nelson’s subordinates exchanged uneasy glances, their hands itching for the comfort of their weapons. Whatever power Douglas held here extended far beyond anything they had anticipated.At the summit of Maccano Mountain, frost covered every inch of the ground. A sharp wind howled through the craggy peaks, cutting like a blade. The convoy came to a stop, and Douglas stepped out first. Nelson and his men followed cau
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Nelson sat rigidly in the driver’s seat, his hands gripping the wheel so tightly that his knuckles had turned white!He didn’t dare to speak, let alone suggest one of his subordinates take over.The drive down Maccano Mountain was silent, save for the soft hum of the engine and the rhythmic crunch of gravel beneath the tyres. As Nelson glanced at the road ahead, he noticed Henry at the base of the mountain, upright, solemn, exuding an air of unshakable authority, as though awaiting their departure. Behind him stretched a long line of armed personnel. Their weapons slung across their chests as they stood like statues, two neat rows on either side of the road.Nelson’s hair stood on end, his throat tightening as he felt a little fear with the way they were all gathered.They all stood as loyal sentinels, their eyes trained forward, unmoving.Suddenly, a powerful, synchronized shout rang through the crisp mountain air, startling Nelson so badly that he nearly slammed on the brakes.“
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Learning that Governor Clarke remained adamant about pursuing a marriage alliance with the Drakes, and placing Marvin in control of PortVarter, pushed Nelson to the edge of his patience.Nelson cursed under his breath as he stubbed out yet another cigarette in the overflowing ashtray beside him. “Idiots,” he muttered. “All of them. They’re playing with fire, and PortVarter will burn because of their arrogance.”Nelson’s fists clenched as he thought about Marvin’s smugness and Linda’s scheming.Compared to Douglas, Marvin was no doubt a joke!Unable to sleep, Nelson tossed and turned on his bed, chain-smoking and wrestling with the despair that gripped him. The next morning, Marvin emerged from Linda’s room, looking refreshed and self-satisfied. He wore a smug grin as he descended the grand staircase.Downstairs, Stewart had arranged for breakfast to be ready for him. A lavish spread of milk, bread, eggs, and fruit awaited Marvin at the dining table. Stewart greeted him warmly, e
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Nelson stopped to inspect the work his subordinates had completed under his meticulous instructions. The previously cold and unwelcoming cell now bore the semblance of a modest, yet cosy, bedroom. The curtains hanging over the iron bars lent a softer, almost domestic feel to the room, masking the stark reality that this was still a prison.However, Nelson remained unsatisfied as he noticed the bed prepared for Douglas.It was a thin mattress on top a creaky frame, and this bothered him. How could someone like Douglas, a man who had done so much for PortVarter State, be subjected to such discomfort? Nelson turned to one of his subordinates.“Go find a more comfortable bed,” he ordered.“Something proper. And tell the others to keep the door unlocked at all times. Mr. Garnett is not just any prisoner.”Without hesitation, the officer nodded and left without a word. The team under Nelson’s command had learned to obey orders without questioning them. Though whispers about the VIP tr
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Half an hour later.Marvin reclined against the curved edge of the grand bathtub with a self-satisfied smirk stretched across his face. Linda also flashed a satisfied smile. "The best decision I ever made was breaking off my engagement with Douglas and being with you."Her eyes gleamed as she tilted her head back. A satisfied moan escaped from her lips.Her alluring curves pressed tightly against Marvin. Marvin swallowed hard and chuckled, his breath quickening again. “I bet he’s sitting in some dirty prison cell, his head hung low in defeat." "Maybe he’s even crying out, begging for someone to save him,” Marvin laughed heartily. Linda’s laughter joined his.“Serves him right. That lowlife was always a thorn in everyone’s side. Now, he’s being given what he deserves,” Marvin grinned, his eyes gleaming with a vindictive satisfaction. “I’ll drink to that,” he said, pretending to raise an invisible glass. “Here’s to Douglas Garnett, languishing in prison where he belongs, while
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Nelson sat rigidly in the driver’s seat, his hands gripping the wheel so tightly that his knuckles had turned white!He didn’t dare to speak, let alone suggest one of his subordinates take over.The drive down Maccano Mountain was silent, save for the soft hum of the engine and the rhythmic crunch of gravel beneath the tyres. As Nelson glanced at the road ahead, he noticed Henry at the base of the mountain, upright, solemn, exuding an air of unshakable authority, as though awaiting their departure. Behind him stretched a long line of armed personnel. Their weapons slung across their chests as they stood like statues, two neat rows on either side of the road.Nelson’s hair stood on end, his throat tightening as he felt a little fear with the way they were all gathered.They all stood as loyal sentinels, their eyes trained forward, unmoving.Suddenly, a powerful, synchronized shout rang through the crisp mountain air, startling Nelson so badly that he nearly slammed on the brakes.“
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This time, another set of armed forces, wearing the distinct marks of rival warlords, stood silently on either side of the road. Each soldier had lowered their weapons and stood with heads bowed in eerie unison.Their gazes fixed downward as if avoiding eye contact with something—or someone—they dared not offend.“What is this…?” Nelson muttered to himself.Normally, this place was one of chaos—an unspoken battlefield where skirmishes between warlord factions erupted almost daily. Yet today, the landscape was unnaturally calm with armed forces seen all over the place!Nelson’s subordinates exchanged uneasy glances, their hands itching for the comfort of their weapons. Whatever power Douglas held here extended far beyond anything they had anticipated.At the summit of Maccano Mountain, frost covered every inch of the ground. A sharp wind howled through the craggy peaks, cutting like a blade. The convoy came to a stop, and Douglas stepped out first. Nelson and his men followed cau
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In unison, the heavily armed personnel turned their heads toward Douglas. Then, in perfect synchrony, they saluted.The silence now felt thunderous. Nelson’s subordinates, equally shocked, exchanged bewildered glances. Their eyes snapped toward Douglas, who stood calm and unperturbed as though the display was nothing out of the ordinary."Sir…?" Nelson whispered, uncertain of what to say. He was filled with confusion!He wondered what kind of hidden identity Douglas possessed that made him command such reverence in the most dangerous region of PortVarter!However, Douglas remained still with his eyes sweeping the formal assembly before him. His gaze, as sharp as a blade, held the soldiers' attention like a magnet!Finally, in a calm and unwavering voice, he spoke,“Did ‘The Baddie’ at the border have a change of heart?” Douglas's voice was neither mocking nor harsh—it carried a quiet authority that seemed to demand answers without force. “Has he decided to break his promise not
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Late that night, Chief Nelson drove the black SUV to the base of Maccano Mountain.The deeper they drove, the louder the faint rumble of gunfire echoed from the distant border.This region was always tense!The residents who lived here endured sleepless nights, flinching at the sound of gunfire, never knowing when conflict might sprout up again. But one thing had remained constant over the years: as long as Douglas Garnett oversaw PortVarter, the turmoil from beyond the border never truly crossed into the land. His presence held enough weight to keep certain forces at bay.Before alighting from the vehicle, Nelson felt a little uneasy about Douglas's safety.The whole area was too quiet—eerily so.Nelson had brought along a handful of trusted subordinates to escort Douglas.They scanned the darkened streets with their trained eyes before stepping out of the car. “Stay alert!” Nelson instructed them as he rounded the vehicle and opened the door for Douglas.Douglas stepped out calm
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The tension in the dining hall reached its peak as Stewart and Marvin's expressions darkened upon hearing Lieutenant Governor Mason's cutting remarks. Linda shifted uncomfortably in her seat, glancing nervously between her father and Marvin. Stewart, his face flushed with anger, stood abruptly and slammed his fist against the table, causing the silverware to rattle.“How dare you speak to me like this, Mason!”He barked, his voice filled with indignation. “You think some uneducated, talentless orphan like Douglas Garnett is indispensable? Let me remind you that without my mercy, that man wouldn't even be alive today.”Mason, unshaken by the governor's outburst, crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow. His disdain was palpable. “Mercy, you say? Mercy didn’t build PortVarter’s roads or stabilize its economy. Mercy didn’t drive ‘The Baddie’ back across the border or save countless lives in this state. Mercy didn’t achieve a GDP of 20 trillion. Those accomplishments belong to Douglas
