As Michael pulled into the courthouse parking lot, a chilling voice from the back seat disrupted his thoughts.Wallas menacingly instructed, "Drive where I tell you, and don't make a sound."Michael, alarmed, resisted, "I won't comply."Wallas coldly threatened, "If you don't, Olivia dies. I've kidnapped her."Michael, panicking, insisted, "You're lying. I spoke with her yesterday."Wallas replied ominously, "Believe what you want, but if you don't obey, Olivia dies."Reluctantly, Michael agreed, worried for Olivia's safety. His phone rang – the investigator in charge of the fire case.Wallas snatched the phone, crushing it before tossing it out of the car.As they arrived in an old abandoned factory, Wallas forced Michael out of the car at gunpoint. Wallas prodded Michael out of the car with his gun. "Move it." They walked into the dilapidated factory, Michael's senses on high alert. That's when he saw him. "Maxwell? I should've known you were involved."Maxwell grinned sadisticall
156Wallas managed to catch his balance at the last moment, narrowly avoiding a face-plant. But the heavy iron bar slipped from his grasp, landing directly on his foot with a sickening crunch. "Agh! Son of a bitch!" he howled, hopping up and down clutching his injured foot.Maxwell hurled the useless gun at Michael in frustration but it bounced harmlessly off the pillar behind him. "Hold still so I can finish you!" he roared as he charged at Michael, throwing wild punches. But Michael dodged nimbly from side to side, a smug smile on his face. "Is that the best you've got? My grandmother hits harder than you two combined." Wallas limped over, still seething in pain. "I'll wipe that smirk off your face, Ventura." He swung clumsily at Michael, who easily stepped back out of reach. "Give it up, boys. You were never a match for me," Michael taunted. The brothers glared at each other, at a loss. "If that gun was loaded like you claimed, none of this would be happening!" Wallas snapped a
157"I'm driving," Olivia insisted as they reached Michael's car. He smiled warmly. "Always looking out for me. I appreciate the concern, but I'm fine, really."Olivia frowned. "You were just kidnapped and beaten up. Humor me and let a doctor check you over."Michael chuckled. "Would if I could, but this case has gone on long enough. I need to see it through to the end."As they got in, Olivia's phone rang - it was their lawyer, Paul Griffin who was sent to court after seeing that Michael was fine. "Paul? What's the verdict?" she answered eagerly. Michael watched her face carefully for any reaction. After a pause, Olivia breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank goodness. Thank you for calling, Paul."She hung up, visibly relaxing. "Former Mayor Brown has been sentenced to ten years in prison."Michael grinned, satisfaction washing over him. "Justice prevails. All our hard work paid off."Soon they arrived at the courthouse, spotting the familiar crowd of journalists outside. "Staying for t
Michael opened the door to find Robert and Hilary standing there. He was surprised, but he tried to hide it. "Robert, Hilary, come in," he said, stepping aside to let them enter."We came to check on you, heard what happened!" Robert said.Edward stood up from the couch, looking uneasy. "I'll be going now," he announced, "I just Emily, will come to see me soon."Michael didn't respond, he just stood there, staring blankly at the floor. Edward hesitated, then quietly left the room.Robert cleared his throat, trying to lighten the mood. "We just came by to check on you," he confessed, looking over at Michael.Michael's eyebrows raised in question. "And why would you do that?" he asked, turning to look at Hilary.Robert let out a small laugh. "Well, Hilary here wanted to see you again," he admitted, scratching the back of his neck
159Michael frowned thoughtfully, his mind filled with doubt. If the evidence was certain, Samantha could be the culprit. The inspector's words echoed in his mind as he tried to make sense of the situation."So, you're saying Miss Cooper claims someone gave her a suitcase to transport, and she had no knowledge that it contained drugs?" Michael asked, seeking clarification.The inspector nodded. "That's correct. She provided the usual formula that people in her situation give. She insists she doesn't know the identity of the person who gave her the suitcase."Michael sighed, feeling conflicted. Samantha's past behavior had left a bitter taste in his mouth, but he couldn't ignore her plea for help. "What will happen to her now? Can I see her?"The inspector leaned back in his chair and sighed. "She's been arrested on drug trafficking charges, a very serious offense. She'll be held in custody pending further investigation. As for seeing her, I can arrange a visitation, but under supervisi
160Hilary blinked in surprise, her mouth still full of cookie. "I-I was just hungry," she stammered, a guilty expression crossing her face.Emily, who had been observing the situation from the corner of the room, felt her anger rise. Olivia was her best friend, and she couldn't stand seeing her upset. She stepped forward, her eyes fixed on Hilary."That was incredibly rude of you," Emily snapped, her voice sharp with annoyance. "Those cookies were meant for Michael, and Olivia went out of her way to bring them for him."Hilary swallowed hard, realizing her mistake. "I-I'm sorry," she muttered, her voice filled with regret. "I didn't think."Olivia's frustration intensified, and she took a step back, trying to regain her composure. "It's not just about the cookies," she said, her voice trembling with a mix of anger and hurt. "It's about boundaries and respect. You've been acting inappropriately with Michael since you arrived."Hilary's face flushed with embarrassment and she looked do
161Back at the house, Michael was taken aback by the icy silence that greeted him. Emily was the only one present, her arms crossed tightly over her chest."Where is everyone?" Michael asked, glancing around the empty living room.Emily's lips formed a thin line. "Olivia left," she said icily, "followed by Robert and Hilary."Michael blinked in surprise. "Why? What happened?"Emily's eyes flashed with anger. "Hilary had the audacity to eat the cookies Olivia brought for you," she spat out. "Olivia was hurt, and in her anger, she stormed off."Michael's eyebrows knitted together in confusion. "And Robert and Hilary?"Emily shrugged. "They didn't stick around for long either," she retorted. "Your day together turned into a complete fiasco.""It's not my fault they decided to drop by," Michael defended himself.But Emily wasn't finished. "And you," she pointed a finger at him, "hid from me that you found our father."Michael's eyes widened. "I was trying to protect you-"Emily cut him o
162Back at the house, Emily returned home in the evening, her mind still swirling with conflicted emotions from her encounter with their father. As she entered the living room, she found Michael sitting on the couch, staring at his phone."Michael," she began, her voice tinged with uncertainty, "our father says he regrets everything... but I don't know if I believe him."Michael looked up, his face etched with concern. "I understand why you feel that way, Emily," he replied, his voice sympathetic. "But he seemed sincere to me. He wants to make things right."Emily crossed her arms, her expression guarded. "He had the means to find me all these years, but he never tried. It's hard to trust someone who abandoned us."Michael nodded, his eyes filled with understanding. "I get that," he said softly. "But people can change, Emily. Maybe he's realized his mistakes and genuinely wants to be in our lives now."Before Emily could respond, Michael's phone rang, startling both of them. He quick