2025-04-26 07:15:06
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From Prison Bars To Gold Bars. 01. Released From Prison
The state Prison was located deep in the heart of the city, situated on an island about two hundred meters away from land. It was a facility with maximum security meant for only the worst of the worst. No visitors were allowed, and the inmates were hardly allowed to see the sunlight. It was like Alcatraz, but way worse! At that moment, an elevator had risen to the cell on the top floor. The elevator doors opened slowly, revealing a tall man with an intimidating look on his face. The chief warder. The man was as ruthless as he was fearsome. He stepped out of the elevator and walked into the hall, stopping in front of a cell. "Everest! You're free to go." His coarse voice echoed through out the silent hall. He opened the door and a slender– almost skinny looking –man walked out. "Congratulations. Once you step out of those big gates, you're a free man." Van only acknowledged the man's words with a small nod. If he wanted to, he would have gotten out of prison ages ago. Afte
From Prison Bars To Gold Bars. 02. A Backstabbing Lover
The loud bang at the door startled the couple on the bed. The man quickly hid his bare body underneath the blanket, and the women, behind her partner. "Who the hell are you? And how dare you barge into m bedroom without any form of curtsey?" He demanded in an angry tone. “You promised to wait for me. You said you would wait for fifteen years, and yet you do this… and in such a little time too.” Van clenched his fists so tightly that his nails tore through the skin of his palm. He felt his blood boil and his nerves were consumed with rage. “Van?” Bianca exclaimed in disbelief. He looked nothing like the Van that was arrested five years ago. He was much smaller, and paler.“You’re back? How?!” Van's lips curled upward into a bitter smile as he recognized the man that was in bed with his wife. "Really Bianca? You're with this a*shole? After what he did to you?" Moses seemed to regain his composure when he realized that it was Van and not some intruder that had broken in. He sat up
From Prison Bars To Gold Bars. 03. The Debt
With the help of his personal chauffer, Van was finally able to locate his mother's house. His heart sank in his chest when he saw the old, beat up house his mother lived in. When Van was arrested, he felt he didn't have much to worry about, since he had already bought a house he would live in with his wife after their wedding. And Bianca came from a good home, so he thought his mother would get by just fine. However, if Bianca had been unfaithful right from the onset, he wondered how his mother's life would have been for the whole five years he was gone. "Mom, I'm so sorry you had to live such a tough life because of me." He muttered to himself. "I swear I'm going to make it all better." Remembering Bianca and Moses, he clenched his fists tightly and his lips was pulled together tightly. He couldn't just let them get away with their actions just like that. At that moment, he saw a woman parking her electric bicycle just outside the gate. She was wearing a helmet, and appear
From Prison Bars To Gold Bars. 04. A Warning
Van felt disgusted by the Wilson family. Sending him to fifteen years in prison wasn't enough, they had to be compensated as well? "My question still stands. How much?" He said with a frown. "They demanded a sum of four hundred grand. Your wife was so generous, she offered to pay half of it by using her house, and your mother was supposed to raise the rest, but everytime we come to collect, all she gives us is f*ucking change! We're not beggars you know." Four hundred thousand, if Bianca really wanted to pay for the compensation, the cost of the house would have covered it. Since he bought it for five hundred thousand. "How much has my mother paid so far?" "It's really pitiful because your mother hasn't been able to raise up to forty grand in the space of five years. The Wilsons are already tired of receiving change, they want the rest of their money." "Well at least the son is back from prison now," one of the henchmen said, eyeing Van. "He can help her with the payment, unle
From Prison Bars To Gold Bars. 05. Home.
As Van made his way back to the house, he discovered that his mother had gone out to the gate to look around for him because she was worried that something might have happened to him. As soon as she saw spotted him on his way back, she immediately walked over with a worried face and held his hand while asking hurriedly, “Are you alright, dear? They didn’t hurt you, did they?” She examined his body, checking everywhere to see if he was hurt. Van felt his heart grow warm and he smiled at his mother, who was standing a feet shorter than he was. “Don’t worry, Mom. They didn’t hurt me. I took them to an ATM and withdrew the balance for them. They won’t be bothering us anymore for money.” “Really?" She exclaimed, then asked. "You’re not lying to me, are you? Where did you even get such a huge amount of money? We're talking about more than a hundred thousand!” She was having a hard time believing that her son had that amount of money with him, especially since he had just been released fr
From Prison Bars To Gold Bars. 06. Single Time Friend
"Mom," Van said after their dinner. "Do you think I should sue Bianca?" "What? Of course not! Van, the past is the past, let's just bury it and move on." His mother complained with a sour face. "You know how scary the rich can be, why would you want to mess with them again? What will make me happy is to see you living a normal life in the sociery. Going to work, or to football games with your friends, planning dates with your girlfriend. That is what I want for you." "But mom, do you really want to let them get away with what they did to us? It's not fair. I know how hard you and I had to work before we could buy that house. It was supposed to be our forever place. Am I really supposed to just turn a blind eye to the fact that it belongs to them now? And what about the money I paid for the bride price? I had never heard of paying bride price before the wedding but I did, a hundred thousand dollars! Am I supposed to just let that go too?" "I know what you mean my dear. Truth
From Prison Bars To Gold Bars. 07. A Promise
"You see son, after you were imprisoned, your aunts and uncles all avoided me like a plague. They said they didn't want anything to do with the mother of a delinquent son. I knew that they were only avoiding me because of the compensation we had to pay the Wilsons though." His mother had three siblings, and they were all doing well, so he had hoped that at least one of them would have lended a helping hand to his mother. "When I turned to them for assistance, they all came up with lame excuses. Your uncle Joseph wouldn't even see me at all, telling me he had traveled every single time I reached out to him. Eventually I stopped, and decided to hustle for myself. When I had given up hope, you father's old friend was the one who came to my rescue. He is also struggling and yet he managed to raise a sum of five thousand dollars to help me pay from the debt. He also makes sure to check in on me from time to time. But I haven't seen him in about three months now because he is away
From Prison Bars To Gold Bars. 08. Saving A Life!
"Help, my husband is having a heart attack!" A woman that looked clearly expensive cried out for help. Her husband looked like he would be in his late forties or early fifties. Next to the woman was a young girl in a suit, probably their daughter, and judging from the outfits they had on, and the expensive jewelries and accessories, it was easy to conclude that they were a rich family. Van rushed over to the man and his family, kneeling next to the woman. "Let me check him." He offered and wasted no time in examining the man's body. He was unconscious, but he had a pained expresssion on his face, almost like he had been hurt before passing out. Van checked his neck and wrist, but felt no pause. "Give me your coat now!" He ordered in a tone of urgency. "But it's expensive." The young girl complained. Ignoring her daughter's attitude, the wonan immediately rushed to the car and came back with a luxurious fur coat. "Here you go." He folded it and placed it under the man's head. "H
Latest Chapter
199. Investigation
The fluorescent lights of the precinct hallway hummed softly as Officer Raúl Mendes pocketed his phone, the unsaved message still blinking in his mind. He rubbed his temples, trying to push back the chill that text had sent down his spine. Don’t bother, you won’t find her. Who would taunt him like that? And how did they know he was working on Bianca Hartley’s case?He glanced at the clock: 6:45 PM. The station was nearly empty now— the late shift crew had trickled out for the evening. His partner, Officer Lange, was finishing up with some paperwork across the bullpen. Mendes took a deep breath, folded his arms over his chest, and forced himself to focus. Bianca’s parents were gone, but their child was still out there somewhere, and every minute counted.★★★Outside, the sky burned crimson as the sun dipped below the horizon. The city of Brimseville— normally so bustling at this hour— felt unusually quiet, as if the whole town held its breath for news of the missing twenty five -year-o
198. A Confusing Case
The waiting area of the station buzzed with quiet chatter, keyboards clacking, phones ringing — the usual symphony of controlled chaos. But all of it was drowned out by the piercing voice of Bianca’s mother. Her words sliced through the noise like a blade, filled with frustration and fury as she stood in front of the duty desk, berating the officer on call.“This is ridiculous!” she screamed, her voice cracking slightly under the strain. “He’s out there walking free, and you’re all just sitting here doing nothing! You saw the article. Everyone has. What more proof do you need?!”The young officer behind the desk winced but said nothing, his eyes flicking toward the corridor, silently begging for backup. Her volume drew glances from the others in the room, but Bianca’s mother was oblivious — or perhaps she simply didn’t care.Behind her, her husband stood quietly, arms crossed, face unreadable. His stillness was in stark contrast to his wife’s storm. He didn’t try to calm her down, nor
197. One Step At A Time
Van just sat there, mouth slightly opened in shock. Could it really be possible? Could someone he knew and trusted actually be behind all of this?His mind raced back to when he was still dating Bianca. Who could it have been? The only people who had ever mattered to him were his mother and Bianca herself. Everyone else was just... background noise. Acquaintances. Faces in a crowd. None of them had ever gotten close enough to matter. Which made this even more confusing.Inspector Dan leaned back into the comfy sofa, his fingers laced over his stomach. He was watching Van carefully, like a lion studying a wounded gazelle. Calm, calculating. “Try to relax,” Dan said gently. “Start by making a list. Friends. People who were close to you and Bianca back then. Anyone who might’ve had a reason. But before that, Van… you need to go to the police.”Van blinked. “What?”Dan didn’t flinch. “You have to clear your name. There’s no way around it.”“But... the reason I called you was because I did
196. The Web Deepens
Just a day after Van had complained to Boyd, he came all the way from Hawaii an he even brought Inspector Dan with him. Even though Van insisted on going himself, his chauffeur refused and went on his own to bring them to the mansion. Ivy couldn’t stop smiling as she opened the door, wrapping Boyd in a warm hug the moment he stepped onto the porch. Dan followed close behind, giving Van a firm handshake and a nod that said more than words ever could.“Look at you!” Ivy beamed. “It’s been way too long.”“I missed you,” Boyd said, his grin lighting up his whole face. “When Van called, there was no question— I knew I was coming, and of course, I brought my bodyguard with me.”Van clapped him on the back. “I appreciate it, man. Really.”Boyd waved off the thanks with a casual flick of his hand. “We needed a vacation anyway. The island’s great, but even paradise can get old after a while.”They all settled in the living room, the afternoon light slanting through the window and casting a s
195. The Ultimatum
FLASHBACK.Greg pushed open the door to Moses’s office with more urgency than usual, his breath shallow, eyes wide with a mix of anxiety and pride. Moses looked up from his desk, brows furrowed over his reading glasses. The golden glow of the setting sun filtered through the blinds, casting long shadows across the expensive mahogany furniture and dark leather chairs.“I found something,” Greg said quickly, stepping in without waiting for an invitation.Moses leaned back in his chair, arms folded. “This better be good.”Greg pulled out his phone, thumbed through his Facebook account, and handed it over. “Watch this. And look at the comments.”Moses took the phone and pressed play. The video began with a girl— a girl he knew too well. She sat on her bed, speaking directly to the camera. Her words were a blend of guilt and regret, a passionate apology aimed at someone she had wronged. Someone dear to her heart. Moses watched silently, his jaw tightening as the video played. Then came th
194. Bianca.
FLASHBACK. Bianca stepped out of the cab and into the cool, dusky air of the quiet parking lot behind Eliza’s, the tucked-away Mediterranean restaurant she and Van had chosen for their lunch date. She pulled her coat tighter around herself, eyes scanning for him. Her heels clicked against the concrete, each step measured, her breath visible in the chilled air. But it wasn’t Van standing near the back entrance, under the pale orange glow of a flickering street lamp. Her steps faltered. What on earth was going on? she asked herself, suddenly overwhelmed with disbelief and maybe... dread? He was leaning against his sleek black car, arms folded across his chest, dressed in a dark charcoal jacket and jeans. He looked relaxed. Too relaxed. But there was a sharpness in his gaze as it settled on her. “W- what are you doing here?” Bianca asked, forcing her voice to stay calm. She took a few cautious steps forward but stopped when she saw the way his jaw tightened. He didn’t answ
193. Frustrations
Ivy came downstairs quietly, her bare feet soft against the wood, each step deliberate, careful—as if the house itself might shatter if she moved too quickly. She found him on the couch, hunched forward, elbows on his knees, head bowed low like the weight of the world had finally claimed him. The only light in the room came from the half-drawn blinds, casting long, gray shadows across the walls. The television was off. No sound but the soft tick of the clock above the mantle and the faint hum of the refrigerator from the kitchen.She didn’t speak right away. Instead, she walked over and sat down beside him, close enough that their legs brushed. Even though his eyes were shut, he could feel her presence in the subtle shift of the air, in the warmth that radiated from her skin. It was comfort without pressure, a presence that said, I’m here, without demanding anything in return.“I know you’re hurting,” she said softly, her voice barely louder than a whisper. “But I need to know how you
192. Van Everest, A Kidnapper!
Van stared blankly at her face as she spoke. The hum of the cafe around them faded into a dull murmur as Rita's words echoed in his head. She knew. He didn’t know how, but she knew something that made his skin crawl. Something that made his chest tighten with dread.He knew his life was in danger—that much was already obvious. But prison? What did she mean he might end up in prison? What for?He waited for her to continue, to spell out whatever twisted connection she was hinting at, but she didn’t. She just sat there, unmoving, her coffee untouched, her eyes locked on him like she was trying to peer through his skull and read every thought behind his silent facade.Finally, he spoke, his voice calm but strained.“What are you talking about?”“She’s missing,” Rita said. Just like that. No build-up. No cushion. Just a cold, cutting declaration.“Who?”“Bianca. She’s been missing for almost a week now.”Van blinked. “What?”“No one’s heard from her,” she continued, her voice measured but
191. Danger Ahead
Van thought about just letting it go but he couldn't. “You weren't in the ambulance with us, why was that?”“Hmm?”“You heard me, Elias. Did you come here on your own? That would mean you weren't hurt, right? So why are you wearing a hospital gown?”Elias kept trying to insist that he had been at the hospital the whole time. But when neither of them bought his story, he hesitated, his eyes darting between them, before changing his tune. “You see, the thing is, I was at the police station before.” He said. “Police station? Are you okay?”“Y-yes. It's just that um… they wanted a statement of what happened back at the abandoned building, and uh, you and Ivy were obviously in no position to give any statement, so I volunteered to go with them.”If that was true, why hadn’t he just said it from the start?Now Van was convinced something was up. “Okay,” he said simply, his tone flat but eyes sharp. He sat up straight, watching Elias closely.Elias opened his mouth like he wanted to say mor
