2024-12-26 04:36:12The 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 followed was deafening, and the tension in the room became unbearable. Mason shook his head in disdain. "Exactly what I thought,” he muttered. “You have nothing. This entire farce is nothing more than a sham to discredit Douglas and install him—” He pointed a contemptuous finger at Marvin. “—so he can bask in the glory of Douglas's achievements. Shameless doesn't even begin to describe it!” "Look!" Mason faced Marvin with a stern look on his face. "Don't you ever think you can replace Mr Garnett! What do you even know about PortVarter's leadership?" Mason couldn't help but flash back at Douglas's achievements in PortVarter. He had served as Lieutenant Governor for six years and had witnessed firsthand the transformation of PortVarter under Douglas's leadership. When the border was under siege by ‘The Baddie’ and his gang, Douglas was the one who stood up and put an end to the chaos. He single-handedly confronted those criminals and forced them to retreat. They swore never to cross the border as long as he was in charge. The invasions, kidnappings, and murders in PortVarter were hell! Soldiers and civilians alike lived in constant fear. But Douglas changed all that. He didn't just bring peace; he brought hope! Even now, there's a saying outside the border: 'PortVarter stands because Mr Garnett stands.’ So who was Marvin to even think he could achieve a quarter of what Douglas had achieved? "PortVarter is what it is today because of Mr Garnett!" Mason continued, but Governor Clarke was quick to interrupt. Although Mason's words struck him like a storm, he struggled to maintain a façade and salvage his wounded pride. After all, he had to pretend not to understand what Mason was talking about while projecting confidence in his role as Governor. Stewart spoke with confidence. “Lieutenant Governor, PortVarter will thrive without Douglas and even fare better with Marvin. Douglas is nothing but a rumoured hero!" Mason barked out a bitter laugh at Stewart's words. "Governor Clarke, you think this state can survive without Douglas Garnett? If you remove him, you're inviting chaos back to PortVarter. Do you think ‘The Baddie' will stay quiet if Mr Garnett is gone? I just hope your 'Marvin' has the strength to keep him in check! Because I can assure you, 'The Baddie' is watching, waiting for any sign of weakness...” The gravity of Mason's words sent a chill through the room. Even the restaurant manager, who had remained silent in the background, looked visibly shaken. Mason let out a deep sigh and continued, "I can't sit back and watch the border cities of PortVarter descend into chaos and lives being lost! The peace we've worked so hard to build will crumble.” He turned his gaze toward Linda, Stewart, and Marvin. "You think you can play games with this state? Frame an innocent man and expect everything to fall into place? That’s not just foolish, it’s dangerous!"
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Douglas's Triumph and Their Regret Chapter 9
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
Douglas's Triumph and Their Regret Chapter 10
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
Douglas's Triumph and Their Regret Chapter 11
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
Douglas's Triumph and Their Regret Chapter 12
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
Douglas's Triumph and Their Regret Chapter 13
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.“
Douglas's Triumph and Their Regret Chapter 14
Meanwhile, after dinner that evening, Stewart, Linda, and Marvin returned home with a sense of satisfaction. Despite the unwelcome interruption of Lieutenant Governor Mason during Marvin's celebratory dinner earlier, their spirits remained high. After all, they had every reason to feel confident.The triumph of Marvin taking over PortVarter State was seen as a foregone conclusion.Douglas was now nothing more than a relic in their eyes!They were confident that Douglas could no longer turn the tide, especially with Stewart's careful planning and the family's expanding alliances.Stewart sat back in his large, cushioned chair in the family’s drawing room with a glass of aged brandy in hand. He imagined more promotions, wealth, and power.Images of him shaking hands with influential politicians in Sierra, including members of the powerful Drake family, flashed through his mind.“If all goes well, a move to Sierra isn’t out of the question. I could establish myself as a key figure in
Douglas's Triumph and Their Regret Chapter 15
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
Douglas's Triumph and Their Regret Chapter 16
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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Chapter 67
Linda froze.Douglas’s… fiancée?Her heart sank.Douglas had moved on.And the woman standing before her was everything Linda wasn’t.Beautiful, Powerful!Linda felt small. The woman's name was Natasha.Natasha wasn’t just anyone—she was the woman Douglas's late parents had chosen to be his wife a decade ago. She was from a distinguished high-class family in the national capital, one whose reputation preceded her.And now, she was here, standing beside Douglas like she belonged.Linda clenched her fists, her jealousy threatening to consume her.The woman leaned in, her voice low but deadly."Don’t you dare raise your hand against my man again."Linda yanked her hand away, her shame twisting into rage."How pathetic," Natasha said coolly, watching Linda with undisguised contempt.Before Linda could respond, a sharp, stinging pain exploded across her cheek.Natasha had slapped her.The sound echoed in the room.Linda gasped with her hand flying to her cheek in shock."You dare insult a
Chapter 66
Stewart sat hunched over his desk with his hands trembling as he flipped through lists of names. He had called every law enforcement agency in PortVarter State, issued threats, and demanded action. Nothing changed!Crime continued to surge—kidnappings, street violence, and orchestrated attacks plagued the cities. Entire neighborhoods were becoming ungovernable, and even the police were terrified to patrol some areas.His calls with police chiefs and county sheriffs were tense and fruitless!"Governor Clarke, our hands are tied. We don’t have the manpower.""The criminals outnumber us, sir. We are outgunned.""We need leadership, Governor, not just orders."Stewart slammed his phone down. His face darkened with frustration.He had even tried reaching out to previous top officials—men and women known for their competence before Douglas Garnett was imprisoned. Some had resigned in protest, while others had been unceremoniously fired by Stewart when he took over.Stewart called them, one
Chapter 65
The governors exchanged glances.Javier Drake had spoken, but rather than swaying the room in Marvin and Stewart’s favor, his words only deepened the suspicion.“Obviously, you're only protecting your son,” someone whispered.“You're delusional if you think you can talk your way out of this mess!” another sneered.Javier could see it—if he didn’t act fast, Marvin would be kicked out of power. He couldn’t let that happen!Clearing his throat, he straightened his suit and squared his shoulders. If mere words wouldn’t be enough, he had to reshape the narrative."Gentlemen, let me remind you of something," Javier began with a smooth and deliberate voice.He gestured towards the chamber, his eyes locking onto each governor one by one."If Mr Garnett was truly the one holding PortVarter together, then why did nothing happen the moment he was arrested? It's been over a month, and during that time, there was peace. It wasn’t until recently that this sudden explosion of violence occurred."Som
Chapter 64
The Presidential Spokesperson, Ambassador Howard Greer, sat at the head of the long, imposing conference table.His face was grim and his eyes locked onto Stewart and Marvin who sat stiffly in their chairs.The room was tense—filled with high-ranking officials, governors from various states, federal ministers, and key stakeholders.The national emergency meeting had been called because of the chaos in PortVarter.Ambassador Greer cleared his throat.His voice was cold and authoritative as it echoed through the chamber."Gentlemen! I must say that the events in PortVarter over the past few days have been nothing short of catastrophic."The room was dead silent as he continued."The level of insecurity we are witnessing is unprecedented! Never in recent history has PortVarter fallen into such chaos. And let’s be honest—this descent into anarchy began the moment Mr Douglas Garnett was removed from power."Murmurs spread across the room.Stewart’s jaw tightened while Marvin gritted his te
Chapter 63
Seeing the armed men approach, Marvin’s pulse pounded in his ears as he flung open the back door of his office and slipped into the chaotic streets.Gunfire and screaming filled the air.He barely had time to process what was happening. Survival was all that mattered now.He ducked low, weaving through the terrified crowds, desperately searching for his car.Where the hell was it?His hands were shaking as he reached into his pocket, fumbling for his keys.Then he saw it—his black SUV, parked in an alleyway just a few feet ahead.Without hesitation, he bolted for it.Just as he yanked the door open, a gunshot cracked behind him.Too close!Marvin threw himself inside, slammed the door shut, and hit the gas.As he sped away, his heart thundered.Back inside Marvin’s inner office, two officials huddled together, their bodies trembling with fear.The gunfire outside was relentless.They whispered among themselves, unsure whether to make a run for it or stay put.Then, suddenly—The door
Chapter 62
The news echoed in Stewart's ears—PortVarter was overrun with chaos, and now Ricano Town was in a full-blown crisis.Stewart stood motionless, his mind numb with shock.Kidnappings, armed robbery, business establishments burgled, and security in shambles.His grip loosened, and his phone slipped from his hands, clattering onto the floor.This wasn’t just a problem.This was a disaster.The federal government would hear about this and the people of the state would see him as a failure!The fragile reputation he had worked so hard to maintain was now on the brink of ruin.And where the hell was Todd, the Chief of Ricano County’s Police Department?He had boldly declared that he needed only one day to fix the issue.It had been three days.Nothing had improved.Everything had collapsed!Stewart’s blood boiled.If he ever saw Todd again, he’d cut off his head himself—just as Todd had vowed to offer his own head if he failed.Fuming, Stewart snatched his phone from the floor and dialed Tod
Chapter 61
The underground tunnel was eerily silent, except for the sound of Todd’s ragged breathing. His legs felt like lead as his head pounded from the sudden temperature change. Phileo stood in front of him, gripping his laser gun with a cold and unreadable expression. “You’ve got some nerve, Captain,” Phileo finally said with his voice full of sarcasm. “Coming this close to our territory!" Todd felt a chill run down his spine. Before he could respond, Phileo struck. Crack! The butt of the gun slammed into Todd’s skull with brutal force. Todd’s vision blurred as pain exploded in his head. He stumbled backward, collapsing onto the hard concrete floor. His hands scrambled for support, but the world spun. From above, Phileo’s shadow loomed over him. “I’ll ask once,” Phileo said with his voice dripping with malice. “What the hell are you doing here?” Todd’s throat went dry. Phileo’s expression was terrifying—pure, controlled fury! Todd knew that this man had killed cou
Chapter 60
Todd sat alone under the withering shade of the tree, drenched in sweat.Now, his throat was parched, and his mind was on the verge of collapse!The scorching sun blazed down mercilessly with its rays slicing through the air like knives. He could barely keep his eyes open as every breath he took was thick with dust and heat.But he couldn't leave.No matter how much his body screamed for relief, he had no choice but to endure.If this mission failed, Stewart would have his hide.Still, the longer he waited, the more something felt off.Why hadn't Nath come yet?His subordinates had all deserted him, leaving him alone to suffer.Had Nath—**had all of Ricano—**decided to turn against him?Todd let out a harsh, dry chuckle.It wouldn't surprise him.However, just when he thought he couldn't hold on any longer, a shadow loomed over him.A figure stood before him, holding a cheap-looking plastic bottle.It was Nath!Todd's bloodshot eyes narrowed.“You look like hell, Captain.” Nath grinn
Chapter 59
Before Phileo could recover, a police officer hurried in, saluting Douglas."Sir, we have detained Phileo’s family and the families of the others on the list. The next phase of the operation is ready."A surge of horror shot through Phileo.His family—his children!He clenched his fists."You’re using my children as leverage?" he spat, his voice thick with rage.Douglas finally smirked, but it was a cold, merciless expression."Don’t act righteous, Phileo."His voice was razor-sharp."Your son's food, his clothing, his education—every penny came from blood money! Innocent people suffered, died, so your family could live in comfort."Phileo had no words.Because he knew it was true.For years, he had justified his actions, told himself he was only doing what was necessary to survive.But now, when the tables had turned—He realized how powerless he truly was.Finally, after what felt like an eternity, he exhaled shakily."Fine."His voice was barely above a whisper."I’ll hand them ove
