It all seems to die down when James left the building with Sarah and Kael. The drive all the way to the secret house was rendered in silence, although president Richard wasn't with them. He had went to attend to other activities since the battle was over. Some minutes later, James and Kael arrived at the secret house, which was located almost at the outskirts of the city. Tall, large trees with their long leaves rustling as the breeze blew, stood like a guard around the secret house. They wholly casted dappled shadow on the plain but unique design of the house."Good that you are back." Jessica welcomed them as soon as they arrived, walking out to receive them. " She is just waking up," she informed James and glanced briefly at Kael. The impassive expression on James' face changed instantly when his ears perceived this. A warm look latched on his face. " Thank you Jessica," he expressed his gratitude and looked down at Sarah, who was in his arms. " I need you to check her also.
Night fell and darkness was beginning to approach the city. This was the time Sarah found herself awake in a strange but bright room. Her eyelids trembled, as she struggled to wake up. Her puny eyes roamed across the whole of the room, and she adjusted herself on the bed. Silently wondering where she was, she didn't hesitate to opened her lips and called out for her mother. "Mummy!" In that instant, the door clicked open, and a tall slender figure advanced in. " You are awake." Sarah's eyes fell on the figure who just stepped in and approached her. Her brows pulled in confusion. " Daddy?" She called out with a tone of uncertainty. James chuckled, shrugged his shoulders. " Who else?" " It's Daddy!" Her face lightened, illuminating her excitement, and she raised her eyes! Without warning, she hopped from the bed and jumped on James' arms, who caught her accurately. "It's okay, baby. You are safe now," he assured her, patting her back lovingly and promised in a serious
The room was eerily quiet and dark, only illuminated by the faint light from the moon filtering through the curtains..In there, a familiar man stood without a word, staring at the cold body of a small kid. His face was clouded with extreme dismal, emitting an unfriendly vibe, making people cautious before approaching him. " Yuchen. I never thought I will be the one to bury you." Zhao's broken voice sounded in the dark room as misery simmered in his heart. Just the sight of his dead grand son was enough to shatter the last humanity and hope in him. After enduring and trying everything possible, it all settled in vain. Reflecting on his waste efforts, resources and time, his face became more gloomy like a stormy cloud that refused to clear. Especially knowing it was all caused by that - ungrateful bastard! His palms clenched, digging his fingers into his thighs! Yuchen was the only relative left for him, his only grandson and companion. As a matter of fact, he had decided
Just as she opened the door to receive Emily, an unexpected figure blocked her view. " Emily, how........... You - useless stray dog! How dare you show your face here again ?!" Her expression twisted into an unfriendly one, and she glared at James who stood nonchalantly at the door. " Sorry to disappoint you, mum." James' voice remained steady, his face on Juliet, unwavering. " You.......... ..." Juliet felt like spitting out venom at James, and she blushed angrily! " You only disappoint yourself cause you are not welcomed here!" " What's going on, Juliet?" Steven strode towards the door, staring at Juliet curiously and wondering what was making her to lose it. Juliet turned to Steven, raising her voice , " This walking vomit is back again! I can't believe he is back! Isn't he suppose to be mourning his ........." Realizing what was about to escape from her running mouth, she bit her bottom lip and abruptly paused! Steven frowned at his wife and shook his head, " Juliet, don
Bang bang!" Emily! You still have the nerve to sleep by this time! The company has been acquired!" The loud noise startled Emily, who was just waking up. " What?" Rubbing her eyes, she complained, her brows knitting. " Dad?"" Do you need me to kick this door before you come to your senses?! Get up now!" Steven yelled, his voice filled with a sense of urgency. James straightened himself up and got down from the bed. " I think something is wrong," he tugged at his pants, saying, and he approached the door. Recognition dawned on Emily's face. With immediate effects, she rolled from the bed, grabbing hold of her crutches. She adjusted her sleep wear and followed James to the door. The instant the door was unlocked by James, Steven bustled in swiftly. " We have to go to the company now!" He informed impatiently, facing Emily. " There's no time at all." " What do you mean , dad?" Emily's forehead furrowed as she inquired confusingly. Steven's expression hardened! " Didn't you h
" This is to compensate for the five hundred million dollars worth good and to pay for the damages done." Jasper concluded what was on the file and closed it up. He lifted his head casually, taking off his glasses and cleaning them before putting it back on. The information turned out to be a bombshell news, which ruined the faces of the people listening to it. The tension in the air rose up intensely! " What?!" Standing up from her seat immediately hearing what Jasper said, Emily's face scrunched up, and her mouth twisted! " Excuse me? What was that?!" " What was what?" Jasper looked down at Emily impolitely. Emily grounded her jaw, unsatisfied with James audacious attitude. She retorted, " Don't act like you don't know what you just said. What do you mean the Thompson company stole 500 million dollars worth good?! How? When?" Jasper threw a scoff at Emily's words, " What you should rather focus on is how to save the company. You should be glad the Song corporation a
The smell of disinfectant reeked across the sterile room that was illuminated by the florescent lights humming above like a constant heartbeat. Inside the room, laid a familiar man on the single bed, with his hands raised hung up above his torso.He was none other than Victor.Evidently, he was still in the hospital, recovering from his palms that were broken by James. He had regained his consciousness, but the thought of his palms been disabled, made his face to hardened. He - a whole heir to the Tarlose immense wealth, would be disabled for life? How could he sink in such sudden transformation?! It was barely unacceptable to him!There was no hint of regret on his face, only resentment and rage, fueled by James' ruthlessness towards him! " James Donovan! This is all your fault!" He gritted his teeth slowly, as possible, seething in anger, and red lines started appearing on his face. " I won't let you go for this!" Just then, the door to the ward swung opened, reveali
The cigar dangled out of Code Red's mouth, as he gracefully reminded Zhao. Wei Zhao flared his nostrils loudly, lowering his eyes with a terrifying light! " Burn?" He repeated and slammed the glass of wine in his hand on the small table beside him! " I will be the one to burn him instead!" His words hung heavily in the air, filled with malice! " Tell me how you will acquire the votes I need to be the sect leader?" He demanded in an impatient tone. " Only being stronger and powerful can I bring down this slum who has pose a threat to me and stepped on my face!" Code Red hooked his lips mischievously, removing the cigar from his mouth." Relax." He grinned and said in a firm tone," I already brought code gold and green." As soon as he was done speaking, approaching footsteps could be perceived, and multiple shadows emerged from the entrance of the office. Two figures, their heads covered with rough sacks, were dragged, struggling into the cold dimly lit roomThe shadows that
The gala buzzed with the sounds of laughter and clinking glasses, an air of opulence that concealed the darker currents beneath.James and Kael moved effortlessly through the crowd, their eyes scanning for any sign of weakness within Zhao’s network of allies.As the night wore on, they slipped into conversations, their movements calculated, gathering intelligence without drawing attention.James leaned closer to a group of businessmen, their voices low as they discussed some upcoming project.He casually interjected, his tone casual yet sharp.“It’s interesting how much faith people are putting in Benjamin lately, especially with his... recent decisions.”The group faltered, eyes flicking nervously.“What do you mean?” one of them asked, a little too quickly.James’s lips curved into a smile, though it didn’t reach his eyes.“Oh, just a few whispers in the wind. You know how it is—nothing’s ever as it seems. Benjamin’s been getting a lot of attention, but some say he might be... overs
Inside the sleek, high-ceilinged ballroom, laughter and the clink of champagne glasses filled the air.The opulence of the gala contrasted sharply with the fire burning inside James.He and Kael stood among the guests, dressed sharply in tuxedos, blending effortlessly with the crowd of Zhao’s top allies and influential business partners.Winter’s intelligence had led them here, and James was ready to use it to his advantage.Kael leaned closer, his voice barely audible.“This is it. Benjamin’s hosting the event, but we can’t make our move too early. We need to get close.”James’s gaze swept over the room, scanning the crowd for any signs of Benjamin.He could feel his pulse quicken, the tension in his chest building.“Patience,” he muttered, his voice low.“He’ll slip up. He always does.”The two of them positioned themselves near a group of businessmen laughing too loudly, all too eager to make their way into Benjamin’s good graces.James barely listened to their chatter, his eyes fo
The anger that had been simmering beneath the surface of James’s composure suddenly surged to the forefront as the name Benjamin echoed in his mind.His pulse quickened, his fists clenching at his sides. He had never thought he’d face the betrayal of someone he once trusted so deeply.Yet here it was—Benjamin, now one of Zhao’s most valuable allies, a man who had once been a brother in arms, now pulling the strings in Zhao’s sprawling empire.Kael had been silent beside him, letting James process the revelation.Winter, though, had already found what they needed. Her voice was calm, a stark contrast to the storm raging within James. “I’ve located Benjamin,” she said, her fingers typing swiftly on her tablet.“He’s staying in a luxury villa on the outskirts of the city. He’s under heavy guard. We’ll need to move fast.”James’s eyes hardened as he absorbed the information.He knew better than anyone that Benjamin was no ordinary adversary.His cunning had always been a weapon, one that
The sun had barely risen when Kael cracked open the encrypted files from the bunker. They sat around the dimly lit room, the harsh light of the laptop casting shadows across their faces. Kael’s fingers flew over the keys, deciphering the coded messages, unlocking a series of detailed communications.James stood behind him, arms crossed, his gaze fixed on the screen.“This is it,” Kael muttered, scrolling through the list. “A network of collaborators—dozens of people working under Zhao. Some familiar names, others not so much. But here…” He paused, pointing to a name on the screen.James’s blood ran cold. His jaw tightened as he leaned forward. “No. It can’t be.”Kael looked at him, brow furrowed. “What? Who is it?”James’s fists clenched. "Benjamin Hayes."Kael’s eyes widened. “Benjamin Hayes.The same one who—”“Yeah,” James cut him off, voice low, each word heavy with the weight of betrayal. “The one who sold me out years ago. I never thought I’d see his name again, let alone linked t
The sounds of gunfire echoed across the island as James and his team charged through the compound’s defenses. Explosions illuminated the night sky, and the cries of Zhao’s men mixed with the sharp commands from Kael and James.“Push forward!” James shouted, his voice steady even amidst the chaos.Kael crouched behind a stone wall, reloading his rifle. “They’re falling back, but it feels too easy,” he muttered, scanning the area.James nodded, his instincts warning him of a trap. “Stay sharp. This is Zhao we’re dealing with. He doesn’t retreat without a reason.”Winter’s voice crackled through the earpiece. “James, I’ve hacked into their communication channels. There’s a bunker near the southern edge of the compound. It’s heavily guarded, which means it’s important.”“Understood,” James replied. “Kael, we head south. Jason, hold this position and cover our exit.”Jason nodded, gripping his weapon tightly. “Be careful. This place is a deathtrap.”As James and Kael approached the bunker,
Winter sat at her workstation, her face illuminated by the glow of her monitors.Lines of code streamed across the screen as she dug deeper into Zhao’s network.With every passing second, the pressure mounted. Sarah’s life depended on what she could uncover.Jason stood behind her, arms crossed. “Anything yet?” he asked, his tone tense.“Patience,” Winter replied without looking away. Her fingers flew across the keyboard. “Zhao’s encryption is top-tier, but he’s not invincible.”Kael entered the room, carrying a fresh cup of coffee. “We don’t have time for invincible. We need results, now.”Winter suddenly froze, her eyes narrowing. “Wait. I’ve got something.”James, who had been pacing the room, stopped abruptly. “What is it?”“A series of communications routed through a private server. It’s linked to a property—an island, privately owned by one of Zhao’s shell companies.”James stepped closer. “Coordinates?”Winter nodded, sending the data to James’s tablet. “It’s heavily fortified,
The house was eerily silent when Emily stepped inside, her heels clicking softly on the tiled floor. “Sarah?” she called, setting her bag on the counter. The absence of her daughter’s usual laughter unsettled her.She walked into the living room, expecting to find Sarah playing or reading. Instead, her eyes landed on a folded note on the coffee table.With trembling hands, Emily unfolded the paper. The message was written in bold, jagged letters:“Your family pays for its arrogance.”Her heart stopped. The note slipped from her fingers as the gravity of the words hit her. “Sarah!” she screamed, running through the house. She tore through each room, searching desperately for any sign of her daughter, but Sarah was nowhere to be found.Her knees buckled, and she collapsed on the floor, dialing James’s number with shaking fingers.James was in his office when the call came. The moment he heard Emily’s panicked voice, he was on his feet.“They took her, James! They took Sarah!”“Who?” he
The room was a sea of sharp suits and scrutinizing gazes.Emily stepped to the podium, her heart pounding in her chest.The summit’s audience consisted of corporate giants, political influencers, and some of Zhao’s allies—wolves disguised in tailored clothing.She cleared her throat and began.“Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for the opportunity to speak today. I stand before you not just as a representative of my company but as someone who believes in accountability and integrity.”The room remained silent, the weight of anticipation pressing down on her.“As we forge ahead in this industry,” Emily continued, her voice steadying.“we must address the pervasive influence of corruption and unethical practices that threaten to undermine everything we strive for. These actions do not just tarnish reputations—they destroy lives.”Whispers rippled through the crowd.Emily caught sight of Zhao sitting near the back, his lips curling into an amused smirk. He didn’t appear threatened, but tha
The flash drive glinted faintly under the dim light of James’s office, a small but crucial piece of the puzzle left behind during Leonard’s hasty retreat.James sat at his desk, his fingers drumming rhythmically against the wood as Winter worked tirelessly at her laptop.“Anything yet?” James asked, his voice steady but edged with impatience.“Almost,” Winter replied, not looking up.“This encryption is sophisticated, but nothing I can’t crack.”Kael leaned against the wall, arms crossed.“If Leonard left it behind, he either underestimated us or wanted us to find it.”“That’s what worries me,” James muttered.With a triumphant exhale, Winter hit a final key. “Got it!” The screen filled with files and folders, each bearing ominous labels like Project Revenant and Corporate Sabotage.“What are we looking at?” James asked, moving closer.Winter scrolled through the contents, her eyes narrowing. “Plans to infiltrate Emily’s company. Zhao’s targeting her directly.”James’s jaw tightened.