Marcus Xu trembled with anger, feeling cornered by Gerald. His expression contorted in frustration over his current situation, but he relaxed when he recalled a conversation he had overheard through the club members' tapped devices. He monitored them before he went to sleep, usually hearing useless chatter but occasionally gathering useful information.“Why are you forcing me to endorse your enemy, though? You’re going to ruin me for endorsing someone who’ll lose!” he protested.“My enemy?” Gerald echoed.“Isn’t he your enemy? Pablo told me that Reyster Sebastian has already changed sides!” Marcus said, despite not knowing whose side Sebastian had switched to. All he knew from the tiny bit of information he had was that Jaypark Steel Co. decided to change sides to have a better chance of winning the mayoral candidacy.“And who’s this Pablo?” Gerald asked, his voice slowly growing furious, though there was an undertone that suggested the name felt familiar.“Pablo Rusto. He’s also an a
Marcus and Pablo glared at each other intensely.Pablo Rusto had nothing against Marcus personally, but he felt bitter just being in his presence. He knew he was the betrayer and the bully, yet he couldn't help but resent Marcus.“What’s his deal? Where did he get this sudden luck?” Pablo wondered inwardly, his glare intensifying. “I only bullied him because of Reyster. Plus, he was quite pathetic. But what’s his deal now?”Meanwhile, Marcus met Pablo’s glare with a confident gaze, determined not to back down. “This traitor needs to taste misery,” Marcus muttered under his breath.“What did you say?” Pablo asked, feeling mocked.“I said, while staring at you, I noticed your hairline is receding,” Marcus replied, almost provoking Pablo into throwing a punch.“Please, don’t fight,” Mr. Lee pleaded, stepping between them.“We’re not fighting, Director Lee,” Pablo replied smugly. “I only fight someone on my level.”“Well, that’s true. Are you even on my level?” Marcus snorted, then took o
Marcus panicked as he repeatedly called Reyster, but Reyster ignored his calls. His concern grew when his brother Miguel and his nurse friend, Hannah, also failed to respond.“Miguel Xu! Seriously, you’re too dumb!” he muttered, fearing that Reyster had manipulated his brother again.Desperation mounting, he dialed the hospital where Miguel was supposed to be recovering.“Hello, this is Saint Mary’s Hospital. How can I assist you?” the receptionist answered.“I need to speak to someone about my brother, Miguel Xu. He was admitted there,” Marcus said, his voice strained.“One moment, please,” the receptionist replied.Marcus tapped his foot impatiently, each second feeling like an eternity. Finally, another voice came on the line.“Mr. Xu? This is Nurse Thompson. How can I help you?”“Where is my brother?!” Marcus demanded. “He’s supposed to be in your care.”“Mr. Xu, I’m afraid your brother discharged himself earlier today,” Nurse Thompson said cautiously.“What? That’s impossible! He
A few hours before Miguel's kidnapping, Reyster Sebastian sat in his lavish office, his fingers drumming impatiently on the mahogany desk. His eyes flickered to the screen of his phone, reading the sudden message from Jason Kiliman, his father’s secretary.The message read, "Your father has decided to change alliances from the William Group to the Gracestone Group, effective immediately."Reyster's face twisted in disbelief, then morphed into rage. His father’s sudden decision had obliterated years of his meticulous planning and investments to build a connection with the William Group.He had spent countless hours cultivating relationships, attending events, and strategizing for future collaborations, only to have it all swept away with one swift decision. He had invested too much money and even sacrificed his ego to please the William family, only for them to switch sides?"Dammit!" Reyster roared, his voice echoing off the high ceilings of his office.In a fit of fury, he threw his
Marcus Xu fearlessly confronted the thugs outside the warehouse, taking them down one by one with swift punches and agile movements.Each blow was delivered with precision, showcasing his training and determination. As the last thug fell, Marcus kicked the door open and boldly challenged everyone inside."Oh damn, they all look bigger than the men I fought outside," he thought nervously, but he ensured no fear showed on his face."Hello, motherf*ckers. Wanna fight me?” Marcus said bravely. “Want to taste my fist?”Confidently, he greeted everyone with his middle fingers while his eyes immediately checked on his brother and Hannah."I'm glad they're safe," he thought with relief, noticing they were unharmed aside from being tied up."Marcus, you can't take them all on! Please, just go!" Miguel shouted, his voice filled with a mixture of fear and desperation. He struggled in his wheelchair, trying to make his brother see reason."Shut up, Miguel!" he yelled back, his eyes never leaving
Marcus inwardly feared for his life, fully understanding the extent of Reyster's craziness. However, he fought hard not to cower in front of him."Even if I kill you now, it will only cost me a little to cover it up," Reyster threatened.Marcus took a few cautious steps back as Reyster menaced him with the metal pipe. Reyster's men circled around him, their eyes showing no mercy. The viciousness on their faces was evident, and they seemed thrilled at the prospect of hurting Marcus.Before Reyster and his men could attack, the loud siren of a police car blared, startling them.“The cops? Hey, check what’s going on!” the leader of the thugs ordered.“You should all go,” Reyster said calmly, and his men hurriedly dispersed.Marcus felt a wave of relief, assuming his brother had called the police. However, something seemed strange about the cops who arrived. They restrained and caught the fleeing thugs, but none dared to approach Reyster as if he were invisible."Did your brother call the
Marcus Xu immediately drove away from the warehouse, not wanting to expose his brother and friend to Reyster and Jeyster Sebastian any longer. He gripped the steering wheel tightly, holding back his frustration.“Marcus, what were you thinking? You can't just jump into a fight like that!” Miguel said as soon as they hit the highway.“Coming from you,” Marcus snorted.“Marcus Xu!” Miguel called his name loudly and commandingly. But Marcus didn’t back down and yelled back.“Miguel Xu! How dare you give in to them so easily? Do you think surrendering will solve anything? Will that grow your legs back? Will that make our situation any better? No! It’s a f*cking no!”Miguel and Hannah sat in shocked silence in the back of the car. Marcus continued to puff and huff in frustration, tightening his grip on the wheel even more.“You always do this, Miguel,” Marcus continued, his voice strained with emotion. “You think sacrificing yourself is the solution. You let them take you instead of me, an
In the restaurant, where they had a variety of pecan dishes, Marcus recovered his energy while enjoying his favorite pecan pie. “Would you be alright, though?” Hannah asked.“About what?” Marcus responded, his mouth full of pie.“You got bruises and scratches. Won’t your CEO be furious seeing you in that state?” Hannah said.“Oh, that’s right! Your face is important! Oh no! What are you going to do? What if they charge you with penalties? I heard actors who fail to maintain their look get penalized!” Miguel interjected.“Stop being paranoid and a worrywart. I signed a contract with them, and it doesn’t state that I have to care about that.”“Are you sure?”“Yes.”“Are you sure you read the contract you signed? Magic Entertainment is a big company; they’re strict with contracts,” Miguel said, panicking, as he tried to wipe away Marcus’s bruises as if they could be easily wiped off.“It’ll be fine. I even left the set mid-shoot,” he said nonchalantly. “CEO Joe will take care of everyth