2024-11-21 17:23:16
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From Prison Bars To Gold Bars. 65. Mother And Son
About two hours later, Van was relaxing in the hotel room, Cassie and Shaun had gone back to their posts. Despite his protests, Cassie begged him to let her finish her last day as a waitress before assuming the post of a manager. He didn't understand why, but he gave her his permission. The news that the ownership of the hotel had just changed hands to a new person quickly spread around the hotel and the restaurant. Cassie was never one to gossip, so she didn't say anything about it. Shaun however, could not stop talking about it. "What?! Are you sure of what you're saying?" A waiter asked. The rush hour was over, so they had the time to talk . "That guy who walked in with Cassie earlier bougt the restaurant?""And the hotel!" Another replied. "Damn, that's amazing. But when I saw him, he looked pretty young, and he wasn't even dressed well.""That's why it's so shocking. Another shocker, I heard that he gave Cassie Mr Preston's position." "What?? No way!""Everyone has had their
From Prison Bars To Gold Bars. 66. Perfect Family
Cassie's heart sank in her chest the moment she heard that. "W-wife?" What was he talking about? "But…but didn't you already end things with Bian–" she immediately cautioned herself. "I mean, I didn't know you were married."Van stared at her for a while, definetly there was something she was hiding from him. "I am." He answered briefly. "You're welcome to stay at the hotel for as long as you want, and while you do, the hotel services are entirely complimentary. Well, I must be on my way home now. See you tomorrow." He started to leave when she suddenly grabbed his wrist. "Is something wrong?'"I…I…" she wasn't sure what she wanted to say. Was she really going to lose her chance again? And without even getting the opportunity to try this time too? "Cassie, what is it?" No! There was no way she was willing to admit defeat so easily. Not within trying. "I just wanted to say thank you…for today. I never thought I'd end up being the manager here.""You're welcome. Have a good night's
From Prison Bars To Gold Bars. 67. The Deed
"Um Van–uh I mean, Mr Everest. Mr Harper is here to see you." Shaun announced. Not that Van was his boss, he didn't think he had the privilege to address him by his first name any more. "Very well. Where is he?""At the VIP lounge sir.""Alright. I'll join you in a minute." After Shaun had left, Van waited exactly one minute before he left the office. He didn't have anything he needed to do, he just wanted to take his time. "Mr Harper." He said as he got to the lounge. The man looked up and was surprised to find a casually dressed guy standing in front of him. "Van…Everest?" He asked with uncertainty. He was expecting the younger man to laugh and say he wasn't the one but instead he nodded and took the seat across him. "I assume you're here to hand over the deed? Or is there some other contract I need to sign?"Bruce Harper could barely contain his shock. He had never for once thought that the Van Everest that bought the entire Golden Touch Series was a young man in his twenties. "
From Prison Bars To Gold Bars. 68. Shocking News
Even though they were fairly comfortable around each other, Van and Ivy didn't share a room. She had mentioned it before that she was okay with it but he still felt the need to let her have her own personal space. "Hey," "Hey."The days to their wedding was drawing closer and he felt that she might be under a lot of pressure about the whole thing. Even earlier during dinner, she had been oddly quiet. "You okay?" He asked, moving to join her on the balcony. "Yeah. I was just thinking, our wedding is in two days. I guess I just can't believe this is actually happening.""Oh…well I –""Don't get me wrong Van, I'm not regretting my decision to marry you. I guess I'm just…nervous. Like really nervous."When she said that Van felt the weight in his heart lighten by a lot. He had been worried that he was the one forcing Ivy into a marriage she didn't want and she was only keeping quiet because she wanted to please him. Hearing that she wanted it to happen as well made him feel a whole lo
From Prison Bars To Gold Bars. 69. Desperate Soul
Elaine stared at the pictures she posted, there was no way that Van would remain quiet after seeing something like that. She giggled to herself. "Let's see if you want to see me now or not." She had a wicked glint in her eyes as she sipped on red wine. Not more than five minutes later, her phone rang and she immediately jumped to answer it. "So, you finally decided to–" she paused and checked the ID of the caller. "Ugh what is it?" Disappointment washed over her as she saw that it was her secretary. "You know what, whatever it is, it can wait." She hung up and sat the phone right next to her. "Elaine, what is the meaning of those pictures that you posted online?!" Her father demanded angrily. "Don't you think you're going too far with this stuff of yours?! It was amusing to watch at first but this is just desperation on a whole new level. I can not believe that my daughter would stoop so low to do something so indecent. Where did you even get such pictures?""That is none of your c
From Prison Bars To Gold Bars. 70. The Plan
Two Hours Ago. Van's jaw dropped in horror and shock when he saw the pictures that Elaine posted. "W-wha- how– when–" he couldn't construct a simple sentence. "What is it?" Ivy dropped what she was doing and walked over to them. Taking a peak at Van's phone, she was equally surprised at what she saw. Pictures of Van, seemingly naked in bed with Elaine were all over her Instagram page with the caption; Future hubby and I after a spectacular date."I can't believe this." Ivy said quietly. "You know –""I can't believe she would go as far as editing pictures of you two together. This Elaine is much more of a psycho than I thought.""Editing…?" Van asked slowly. "Yeah. I mean, that's not you. Right?""Yeah of course." Van was surprised that Ivy didn't doubt him at all. Other ladies would have questioned him and might not even believe him no matter what his truth was. But Ivy was different, even before it sunk in his head that the pictures were edited, she already said it out, putting
From Prison Bars To Gold Bars. 71. Andrew
'Hi, this is Van, your long lost brother. I would like for you to be my best man. My wedding is tomorrow by the way.'Andrew laid his head back against the couch, a side smile on his smooth face. That was some way to introduce himself after all those years. He scoffed at the invitation but of course he was going to attend, after all his mother had invited him as well. He glanced at the time on his golden wristwatch. 08:30pm, it read. If he wanted to make in on time, he would have to leave home early. He thought about how awkward it would be to see Van after all those years, especially due to the way they parted back at the orphanage. He was sure his estranged baby brother would still harbor some resentful feelings towards him. In fact, the whole 'best man's thing might just be an excuse to get him there to receive an earful from his mother and siblings. Still, he made the decision to go. Strolling upstairs to his bedroom, he marched straight to his walk in closet to select his choi
From Prison Bars To Gold Bars. 72. Brothers
Even though he barely knew him, Van could immediately tell that the man standing in front of him was his brother. He was never one to look at himself that much but he could tell what he looked like, and the man he was staring at had similar features to him. Just more sinister looking. He dropped the little traveling bag he held, a half smile on his face. "Whoa, is this your bride baby bro?" He eyed Ivy from head to toe, admiring her appearance. "Damn she's hot." He walked over to their mother and sat next to her. "Why do you all look so gloom? Didn't you invite me because you wanted me here?"All eyes turned to Van and he realized they were waiting to see his reaction. He wasn't sure how he was supposed to feel. His brother who fired a gun at him when they were kids was sitting right in front of him. Up until recently, he didn't even remember that he had a brother. "You came." Was the only thing that he could voice out. "Well you did ask me to be your best man. It would be cruel t
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220. The Raid
The black SUV tore through the city streets, weaving between cars and running red lights.Rain slapped against the windshield in heavy sheets, turning the world into a blur of lights and shadows.Van sat in the passenger seat, jaw tight, fingers tapping a restless rhythm on his knee.Beside him, Keller drove like a man possessed, silent and focused.Carla sat in the back, double-checking the blueprints of the warehouse on her tablet."Franklin and Third," she muttered."Two floors. Old textile plant. Abandoned for years. No security cameras, no neighbors — perfect place to stash someone."Van’s stomach twisted.It was too perfect.He kept flashing back to Vance’s words: If they think you’re coming, they’ll move her—or worse.He couldn't afford to think about what worse meant.Not now.Not when they were this close.They arrived in less than fifteen minutes.The warehouse loomed out of the mist like a dead thing — gray, crumbling, windows shattered, rust eating through the metal doors.
219. Confession
The air inside the van was thick with tension.Julian Vance sat slumped against the wall, wrists cuffed to a metal ring bolted to the floor.The blindfold was gone, but fear had carved deep lines into his face.Sweat soaked through his shirt despite the cold night air.Across from him, Van leaned back in his seat, arms crossed, studying him like a puzzle that needed solving.Keller sat beside Van, silent and looming, while Carla hovered near the door, tablet in hand, recording everything.No one spoke for a long moment.They let the fear do its work first.Vance fidgeted, his eyes darting from face to face, looking for a crack, a kindness.He found none.Finally, Keller broke the silence."You know who we are," he said calmly."You know why you’re here."Vance licked his lips."I—I’m just an accountant," he stammered."I don’t know anything."Keller smiled thinly."You know enough to get yourself killed. Or saved. Your choice."Vance’s hands twisted in the cuffs."I can’t," he whisper
218. The Aftermath
The night was soaked in the heavy stench of gunpowder and rain.Sirens howled in the distance — getting closer — but Agent Keller’s team moved fast.They swept the abandoned lot, securing what little evidence Moses had left behind: a few casings, tire tracks gouged deep into the mud, a broken phone.It wasn’t enough.Moses had disappeared like a phantom into the night, and worse — he had seen through the setup.Van had barely made it out alive.Inside the mobile command van, Keller slammed his fist against the table."Someone tipped him off," he growled."There’s no way he walked into that meeting with backup unless he knew we were coming."Carla sat beside Van, wrapping a makeshift bandage around his bleeding arm.Her hands were steady, but her face was grim.Van winced as the gauze tightened, but he barely felt the pain.His mind was somewhere else.A traitor.Someone inside their circle.Someone who had sold them out to Moses.Keller paced furiously, barking orders into his radio,
217. The Hunt
The plan was simple on paper.Simple, but dangerous.Van stood at the cracked concrete window of a forgotten motel room on the edge of the city, watching the rain smear the world into gray blurs.Inside the room, Agent Keller was setting up equipment — laptops, burner phones, tiny recorders the size of coins — while Carla scribbled notes furiously into a weathered notebook.Van’s nerves hummed under his skin.He wasn’t a cop.He wasn’t a spy.He was just a man trying to survive.And now, somehow, he was about to help bring down one of the most powerful men in the city."Here’s the plan," Keller said, pulling Van’s attention back.He laid out a rough blueprint of the next 48 hours:Van would reach out to Moses — casual, non-threatening — suggest a meeting under the pretense of "burying the hatchet."Offer him information.Play on his paranoia.The idea was to draw Moses out.Get him somewhere isolated.Somewhere they could grab him without witnesses.If they could catch Moses talking —
216. Warehouse Meeting
Van’s mind was spinning as he approached the dilapidated warehouse by the docks.The wind whipped at his coat, the sound of waves crashing against the concrete pier mixing with the distant hum of city traffic.This place had once been a hub of activity, a center of trade and industry.Now, it was just a hollow skeleton, abandoned and forgotten.Perfect.It was the kind of place where you could disappear without a trace.Van approached cautiously, his footsteps echoing in the empty street.The docks were deserted at this hour, save for a few stray cats rummaging through trash.No sign of anyone watching.But he knew better than to assume that meant safety.They were out there.Someone was always watching.His fingers brushed against the rough stone of the warehouse’s exterior as he rounded the corner.A single light flickered above the entrance, casting long, crooked shadows.A thick metal door was ajar, just enough to let him slip inside.Van hesitated for a moment, then pushed it ope
215. Late Warning
The city looked different in the dead of night.From the back of the taxi, Van saw it all pass in a blur — the glimmering skyline, the fog rolling across the river, the endless rows of apartments stacked up like cheap cardboard boxes.But it was the shadows he saw most clearly.The places where people hid their sins.Van rubbed his fingers over the cracked screen of Bianca’s phone.The evidence was still fresh in his mind — too fresh. The videos, the photos, the recordings.He hadn’t even begun to process it all.But he couldn’t stop now.He couldn’t let them win.The taxi rolled to a stop at the airport’s long-term parking lot.Van didn’t get out.Instead, he stared through the windshield at the flickering terminal lights, his thoughts spiraling.Was this it?Was he about to leave everything behind?Ivy, the kids, his life as he knew it?He couldn’t.He wouldn’t.But he also couldn’t stay.He needed allies.Van stepped out of the taxi and paid the driver in cash before walking throug
214. Secrets
Van didn’t go straight home. He knew better. If they were watching him — and after tonight, he was sure of it — bringing danger to Ivy and the kids would be unforgivable. Instead, he drove to a cheap motel on the edge of town, the kind of place nobody asked questions and the cameras were either broken or faked. The neon VACANCY sign buzzed weakly against the rain-soaked sky as Van pulled into the lot. Room 12 smelled like mold and old cigarettes, but it had a lock on the door and curtains thick enough to block the world out. For now, that was enough. He locked the door, jammed a chair under the knob, and dumped the soaked backpack on the stained mattress. He pulled out Bianca’s phone with trembling hands. Still wet. Still cracked. Still hers. Van sat down heavily and got to work. First step: dry the phone. He stripped it carefully, removing the battered SIM card and the microSD tucked into the side. Both small enough to fit in his wallet. He left the phone shell near
213. Hidden Tunnels
The marina was deserted. The storm had driven everyone indoors, and the usual hum of yacht engines and tourist chatter was replaced by the howl of the wind against steel masts. Boats bobbed violently in the dark water, their ropes creaking like dying animals. Van parked three blocks away and approached on foot, keeping to the shadows. The piece of paper with the coordinates was damp in his pocket, but he had already memorized them. The entrance to the old service tunnels wasn’t easy to find. Most people didn’t even know they existed — relics from when the marina had been part of a naval shipyard decades ago. Now, the city had simply built over them, sealing the past under concrete and forgetting. But Van remembered. His father had worked the shipyards once, before everything went wrong. He found the access point tucked behind a rusted utility shed — a heavy steel hatch, half-hidden by tangled vines. He tugged at the handle. Locked. Van gritted his teeth, pulled a crowbar
212. Meeting In The Rain
The storm didn’t let up.It pounded the city in thick, angry sheets, flooding gutters, choking the storm drains, turning alleyways into rivers of filth.Van watched it from the living room window, one hand curled around a cold cup of coffee.He hadn’t slept.He couldn’t.Not with the bloody scrap locked away in his desk drawer.Not with Ivy pretending everything was fine for the kids’ sake.At 2:37 a.m., his phone buzzed again.Unknown Number.Van snatched it up.A text this time.MEET ME.PARKER’S GARAGE. 4AM. COME ALONE.No signature.No instructions.But Van already knew he was going.★★★Parker’s Garage was an old, abandoned auto shop on the east side, gutted years ago after a fire.Van remembered it from his teenage years — a place where kids would go to drink, fight, and hide from the world.He drove through the drowned streets, headlights cutting through the rain like a blade.The city felt deserted, haunted.Every instinct told him this was a trap.He went anyway.He pulled up
