Six days later, the grand hall at Mrs. Davidson's opulent hotel was abuzz with excitement. The occasion was the much-anticipated book launch of "The Power Broker: Navigating Political and Business Waters" by the renowned political activist and business mogul, Arthur Kensington.The hall was adorned with lavish decorations, golden drapes cascading from the high ceilings, and crystal chandeliers casting a warm, inviting glow. Round tables draped in pristine white linen were set with the finest china and silverware, each centerpiece was a magnificent arrangement of fresh flowers. It was stage at which the front bore a large, elegant banner with the book's title and Arthur Kensington’s name in bold, golden letters.Dignitaries from across Yilaburg arrived in style, stepping out of sleek, black limousines and escorted by their personal bodyguards. They moved with an air of grace and authority, their tailored suits and designer gowns was a testament to their status. Flashbulbs from the
They exchanged quick glances, clearly recognizing the tone and the slang. The recognition brought an immediate shift in their demeanor."Sir, yes, sir!" one of the bouncers stammered, stepping back and saluting. His voice, which had been filled with disdain moments ago, was now filled with respect. "Right away, sir."The other bouncer, equally taken aback, quickly followed suit, stepping aside to allow Romeo through. "Apologies, head honcho Stormbreaker. We didn’t recognize you, sir."The mocking guests, who had been laughing and jeering just moments before, were now dumbfounded and clueless. They didn’t understand a word of what Romeo had said, but the abrupt change in the bouncers' behavior was impossible to miss."What just happened?" a man in a designer suit muttered to his companion, as his voice was filled with confusion."I have no idea," the woman in the elegant gown replied, with a bewildered tone. "But whatever he said, it worked.""Zip it, stay frosty, and hold the line."
Romeo maintained his calm demeanor as he replied nonchalantly, "I came for the book launch."Mrs. Davidson's eyes flashed with anger. "You? Here? For this event?" She spat the words out with contempt. "You are not supposed to be here for several reasons. First, you don't belong in this circle of elites. Second, you have no respect for the exclusivity of this event. Third, your appearance is a disgrace, and fourth, you have no invitation."Romeo raised his hands in a gesture of peace. "Mrs. Davidson, please calm down. I didn't mean to be a nuisance.""Get out of my grand hall, now," Mrs. Davidson ordered, her voice seethed with anger.A good number of guests watched the confrontation unfold, and their expressions ranged from disdain to mild amusement. Many looked at Romeo with a disregarding gaze, judging his carefree appearance and seeming lack of self-respect as Mrs. Davidson berated him. They saw him as someone who didn't deserve any respect, especially after tolerating such a pub
Mrs. Davidson, who was caught off guard by Don Francisco's direct address, hesitated for a moment before raising a trembling hand and pointing toward the back of the hall. "There," she stammered with a voice that was barely audible. "He is sitting right there."Don Francisco's eyes followed her finger until they landed on Romeo, who sat with a puzzled look on his face. The room fell into an uneasy silence as Don Francisco motioned subtly to his men who were stationed discreetly around the hall. Instantly, they moved with swift precision towards Romeo.Romeo's scowl deepened as he saw the men approaching him. Confusion mingled with a growing sense of alarm, and he instinctively stood up and took a step back, only to find his path blocked by another of Don Francisco's men. The realization of what was about to happen dawned on him, and his heart pounded in his chest.Suddenly, two of Don Francisco's men grabbed Romeo's arms with a vice-like grip. He struggled briefly, but their hold w
Three of Don Francisco's men gripped Romeo tightly, their hands were like iron clamps on his arms and shoulders. Romeo's struggles were futile against their combined strength. One of the men, a burly figure with a cruel glint in his eye, knelt down and began to tug at Romeo's trousers.Romeo's face contorted with a mix of desperation and anger. He kicked out wildly, but another man swiftly pinned his legs, rendering him helpless.The crowd's laughter reached a fever pitch, as the cruel amusement was palpable in the air.Finally, with a triumphant yank, the burly man pulled Romeo's trousers off. The humiliating moment was met with a cheer from the audience, their excitement echoed off the grand hall's ornate walls."Give me those trousers," Don Francisco commanded, as his voice sliced through the cacophony.The trousers were handed to him with a flourish, as if presenting a trophy. Don Francisco held them up, examining them with a sneer of disdain. The soaked, tattered garment hung l
Meanwhile inside the grand hall, the atmosphere was electric as the opulent chandeliers cast a warm glow over the elegantly dressed guests, who were gathered to celebrate the launch of the highly anticipated book. With Don Francisco still at a podium, his commanding presence captured the attention of everyone in the hall. Mrs. Davidson, looked fulfilled and satisfied that her useless ex son in law had been treated the way he was treated by Don Francisco's, infact, she revelled and relished the thought of Romeo's disgrace like it was a hard earned Victory.Don Francisco's continued in it's smooth and confident tone as he continued his endorsement of the book. "Ladies and gentlemen," he began, his eyes sweeping over the captivated audience, "this book does not just depicts extraordinary storytelling; it is a beacon of innovation and insight in the field of business and politics. It encapsulates the spirit of progress and the relentless pursuit of excellence that we all strive for."Th
Don Francisco's men began to step back, their initial bravado instantly evaporated as the soldiers' intimidating presence became undeniable. The soldiers, clad in dark uniforms, exuded an air of authority that immediately cowed the once-aggressive henchmen. As more soldiers moved in, their guns were held at the ready, and they systematically surrounded the hall. The guests, who had moments ago been laughing and reveling in Romeo's humiliation, now shuddered in fear and panic. Whispers of dread rippled through the crowd, and many clutched their champagne glasses tightly, as their eyes were wide with terror.The first group of soldiers, without hesitation, took out whips and began to flog Don Francisco's men mercilessly. The sharp cracks of the whips echoed through the grand hall, mingling with the anguished cries of the men as they pleaded for mercy. "Please! Stop! We didn't mean it!" one of Don Francisco's men screamed, writhing in pain as the whip struck his back."Have mercy!
Don Francisco, Viktor "The Snake" Armand, Elara "The Widow" Darnell, and Juro "The Phantom" Sato were dragged from the bullion vans they were contained in to a storey building that was situated within the barracks. Their hands were bound and eyes were wide with terror.The soldiers, moving with practiced efficiency, herded them through a series of dimly lit corridors.The dealers were forced into a small, cozy yet oppressively dark room. The only sources of light were the flickering torches attached to the guns of the soldiers, casting eerie shadows that danced on the walls.The dim light illuminated their faces, revealing expressions of raw fear and desperation. The soldiers stood silently, with faces that were grim and determined, their eyes reflected the coldness of the mission at hand.Viktor Armand was the first to break the silence, his voice was shaky but laced with defiance. "You can't do this to us! We have rights! You can't just—"A soldier silenced him with a harsh shove,