Chapter 197Williams watched through the window as the car pulled onto the road and drove off.'A storm is coming?' he thought to himself. 'What could Liam possibly mean by that?'He concluded it might be an empty boast but couldn't deny the fact that he sometimes got the chills that something grave was coming his way. Still, he was certain that Liam's threats were just bluster.Although Liam was the heir to the second richest family in Emerald Falls, Williams knew they were still far off from the Wanes. He could possibly hack into Carter Comb, Liam Carter's company, with the given resources and time, he thought.In fact, he decided to do that as soon as he got to the office. He would demand some money from Mr. Sterling to get the necessary software and hack into Carter Comb right away.He was still thinking when the old man walked back into the house. Williams had used his ESU agent disguise as an influence and told him beforehand to get away from the house to avoid hearing what they
Chapter 198Just as Williams was about to walk out the front door, Mr. Sterling signaled for him to come back in.Williams turned around and asked, "What is it? I have no time to spare. I need all the time and energy I can get to take down Carter Comb."Mr. Sterling nodded and replied, "I know, but I just wanted to remind you that right now, we're facing two obstacles. As you're going about with the hacking process, don't forget about the court cases.""I know. Everything is under control. You don't need to worry," Williams said, turning to leave. He paused, then turned back to Mr. Sterling and asked, "Have you spoken with the lawyer already?"Mr. Sterling replied, "Yes, we'll be using the same lawyer as the ESU. The lawyer is none other than Harris Drums.""Good," Williams said, nodding in approval. "And how about the judge? Have you bribed him yet?"Mr. Sterling stood up from his seat, walked around his desk, and nodded. "I've asked Harris Drums to handle that for me. I'm expected t
Chapter 199That evening, James was in his suite at Sky Suite, lost in thought despite Eric's insistence that he take the day off.Uncertainty weighed heavily on him; he had never felt this unsure before.His loved ones had been supportive, staying in constant communication. Lana Wane, Ellen and her parents, and especially Ryan Wane—they were all rallying to find a way to help, but solutions seemed elusive.The Wanes faced numerous adversaries with influence in the lower courts, where Mr. Sterling and the ESU agents had filed lawsuits against them.As James sat pondering his next move, his phone rang. Glancing at the screen, he saw it was his uncle Ryan calling. He answered with a mix of anticipation and anxiety."Hello, Uncle Ryan," James greeted him, trying to keep his voice steady despite the turmoil inside."James, how are you holding up?" Ryan's voice, calm and reassuring, came through the phone."I'm trying to manage," James replied honestly. "It's been chaotic, to say the least
Chapter 200Finally, the day of the court hearing has arrived!All parties involved were already in the court as early as 9 am.The court is one of the low courts of emerald falls.It was modestly sized yet carried an air of solemnity and gravity. The walls were lined with dark wood paneling, giving the room a traditional and authoritative atmosphere.High windows allowed beams of sunlight to filter in, illuminating the room in a warm, golden glow.The judge's bench, a raised platform at the front of the room, was imposing, crafted from polished oak. Behind it hung the emblem of Emerald Falls.The judge's chair was a high-backed, leather seat, hinting at the power and responsibility it carried.Rows of wooden benches were neatly arranged, divided by a central aisle, with the plaintiff’s side on the left and the defendant’s on the right.Each bench had a slight incline to ensure visibility of the proceedings for all attendees. At the front, near the judge's bench, were tables for the op
Chapter 201Agent Sebastian stepped forward, carrying some documents in his hands. He cleared his throat, "Your Honor, we had substantial evidence linking Mr. Clarkson to the Enron scam. Given the gravity of the charges and the potential risk of flight or obstruction of justice, we decided to act swiftly.""Agent Sebastian, you mentioned the gravity of the charges against Mr. Clarkson. Could you elaborate on the evidence you had?” Barrister Bennett Coleman asked.Agent Sebastian nodded, handiing Barrister Bennett Coleman the document. "We have financial records, witness testimonies, and digital communications linking Mr. Clarkson to fraudulent activities in the Enron scam.”“And this evidence was substantial enough to warrant his arrest " Bennett pressed, while scrolling through the documents."Yes," Sebastian affirmed. "Given the risk factors, it was deemed necessary."Bennett nodded. "Thank you, Agent Sebastian. No further questions, Your Honor. But I want to say that these document
Chapter 202After the recess, the court reconvened. Judge Hart took her seat and called the court to order. "We will now hear from the defense. Barrister. Bennett, please present your evidence.”Barrister Bennett Coleman stood up. "Your Honor, I call Lieutenant Jones to the stand."Lt. Jones walked to the stand, was sworn in, "Your Honor, I want to present my case," Lt. Jones began, standing confidently as he addressed the court, adjusting his uniform.He looked directly at the judge before continuing. "General Arnold informed me that James Clarkson was being wrongly accused and arrested by the ESU agents. As the military, we had no option but to intervene and prevent the arrest from happening."The judge leaned forward, her interest piqued. "Lieutenant Jones, could you elaborate on the circumstances that led to the military's involvement?"Lt. Jones nodded. "Certainly, Your Honor. On the day in question, we received a direct order from General Arnold. He had credible information sugg
Chapter 203Williams sat at one corner of the court as the proceedings went on. He wore a black suit and had come to witness everything firsthand.Beside him was Mr. Sterling, dressed in a gray suit with a straight face. They had come under the guise of concerned EMC employees, but unknown to everyone, they were the masterminds behind the entire ordeal.Williams had orchestrated the whole thing and had the ESU agents under his thumb, all to ensure the success of their operation.Before his arrival to town, the ESU had been an incorruptible organization, focused solely on investigation without a hint of corruption. But when Williams came into town, everything changed. Months ago, when James had gotten Jaxon and Henry Carl arrested for mistreating him, Williams had found a way to exploit the situation. With just a few strategic hacks, he managed to gather incriminating information on the director of the ESU, Donald Duke—known as Triple D. The blackmail began, and soon enough, Triple D
Chapter 204James' mind raced with possibilities, his heart pounding loudly as the judge prepared to read the verdict.He glanced around the courtroom and noticed Mr. Sterling and Williams. Their demeanor suggested they expected him to be found guilty, but the proceedings seemed to be leaning in his favor. Still, judges could be unpredictable.With the drama that Kate just pulled earlier on, and the gaslighting, James was doubtful.Closing his eyes, he hoped for a favorable outcome. Kate's dramatic outburst and the resulting gaslighting left him doubtful.The murmuring crowd fell silent, waiting for the judge's verdict. Judge Hart opened the document and began, "After thorough examination of the evidence presented by the plaintiff, it has been determined that the evidence is fabricated and lacks authenticity. Therefore, in this case, the defendants are not guilty."Just as the judge said that, there was murmuring in the crowd and an uproar.Mr. Andal, the court clerk, had to call the
Chapter 397Morning broke with a dull glow, illuminating the quiet safe house nestled deep in the woods. Inside, tension hung thick in the air. Williams was standing near the window with a phone pressed to his ear, speaking in a calm but calculated tone.“We’ve got your son, Charles,” he said, his voice steady. “But we haven’t located Jaxon.”On the other end of the line, Mr. Sterling’s voice cracked with emotion. “Charles? Is he safe? Are you sure?” Relief flooded his tone, but it was quickly shadowed by anxiety. “What about Jaxon? Did you find him? Is there anything—anything—leading up to him?”Williams let out a quiet sigh, one that sounded more like practiced patience than genuine concern. “That’s all we could manage,” he replied. “The men who took Jaxon still have him, and from what we’ve gathered, they plan to kill him if there’s any interference.”Mr. Sterling was silent for a beat, processing the grim news. Then, his voice rose, tinged with panic. “What do I do now? How do I
Chapter 396James and Gregor stepped out of their concealed position in the underbrush as the taillights of the SUV disappeared into the darkness. The cool night air was eerily silent now, broken only by the faint rustling of leaves and the muffled sounds of wildlife in the distance. The ground beneath their boots crunched softly as they moved toward the aftermath of the chaos they had just witnessed.Gregor’s eyes scanned the scene, his face expressionless as he took in the lifeless bodies sprawled across the area. Three of them, including Ben they once held, lay motionless, their weapons discarded and their blood staining the dirt beneath them.Gregor crouched beside one of the bodies, briefly checking for a pulse, though he already knew there was none. Standing, he shook his head and muttered, “Well, that’s the life they’ve chosen for themselves.”James, standing a few steps behind him, remained silent for a moment, his sharp eyes darting around the scene. The faint glow of the moo
Chapter 395The shadows of the dilapidated bunker stretched long under the moonlight as Williams and his team lay in wait. They had taken up position hours earlier, tucked inside Jaxon’s sleek sports car, the dark, polished metal blending seamlessly into the night. The air inside the vehicle was stifling, thick with tension and the faint metallic tang of gun oil. Every man was armed and ready, their nerves wound tight, waiting for the right moment to strike. Williams sat in the driver’s seat, his hands resting casually on the steering wheel, though his eyes never left the rearview mirror. Beside him, Kane sat rigid, one hand gripping Jaxon’s arm firmly while the other rested on the stock of a shotgun lying across his lap. In the cramped sports car, Tom and Dorian crouched uncomfortably in the trunk, their weapons at the ready, waiting for Williams’ signal.The silence inside the car was shattered when headlights cut through the darkness. A single car approached, its rumbling engine e
Chapter 394The dense canopy of the forest loomed overhead, casting long shadows over the makeshift campsite where James and Gregor had been holed up for days. The air was damp, thick with the earthy scent of moss and pine, and the distant call of nocturnal creatures echoed through the stillness.Gregor sat cross-legged on the damp ground, his eyes glued to the small tablet in his lap. A blinking red dot pulsed steadily on the screen—the nano tracker they’d planted on Ben’s phone.For three grueling days, they’d followed that dot from one hideout to another, staying just far enough away not to be detected. They’d spent their nights in the car or in the bush, catching only brief moments of sleep between shifts of surveillance.Tonight was no different, and Gregor’s tired eyes burned as he watched the screen, hoping for any sign of movement.James lay stretched out on the ground beside him, his jacket pulled over his face to block out the faint moonlight filtering through the trees. Hi
Chapter 393Jack paced back and forth in the dimly lit room, his gun laid out on the table as he meticulously assembled and armored it. Each metallic click echoed in the stale air, punctuating the tense atmosphere.They had to switch hideouts when Ben rejoined them, in case he was being tailed. Jack carefully considered the situation and concluded that bringing him back into the operation as an additional resource would be a wise decision, just in case they encountered any unexpected challenges but he made sure they switch hideout from time to time. But their main exchange point was still the old bunker because it has a lot of escape routes and underground tunnels.Ken was nearby, double-checking their supply of ammunition, while Denver and Ben lounged on an old, battered couch, their excitement barely contained.“Finally, we’re getting out of this shithole with a bundle of millions,” Denver said to Ben, leaning back with a smug grin. He flicked a discarded cigarette butt into the cor
Chapter 392The evening sky was a dusky orange, streaked with long trails of purple as the sun dipped below the horizon. Williams parked the sleek, black car that Mr. Sterling had secured for him—a high-profile Lamborghini that was both remarkable and practical for what was about to go down.The tinted windows gleamed faintly in the fading light as he stepped out, dressed in a dark hoodie and jeans. He adjusted the baseball cap on his head and pulled it lower to obscure his face further.Kane was already waiting near the edge of the gravel lot, leaning casually against a rusted lamp post that barely flickered to life. His stance was relaxed, but his eyes darted around, sharp and alert. A few paces away, Tom and Dorian lingered by the entrance to the abandoned warehouse, their conversation low but punctuated with short laughs.Williams approached Kane with purposeful strides. Without a word, he gestured for Kane to follow him a short distance away from the others.“They ready?” William
Chapter 391Andrew’s pen hovered over the page. “Eric Wood? The CEO of EMC?”“Yes,” Sterling said, his voice steady now, laced with conviction. “He’s had a vendetta against my family for months. He’s jealous of our success, our influence. And now, with everything happening at EMC, I wouldn’t put it past him to stoop this low. My two sons were kidnapped in a sparse of a few weeks. Is it not strange?”Andrew tilted his head, his expression skeptical. “That’s a serious accusation, Mr. Sterling. Do you have any evidence to support this?”Mr. Sterling sighed heavily, as though burdened by the weight of his own claim. “Not concrete evidence, no. But think about it. He has the resources, the motive. And I heard through some… private channels that he’s been meeting with unsavory characters lately. People who could easily pull off something like this.”Andrew jotted a few notes, his pen moving quickly. “I see. I’ll look into it. But you understand we can’t act on hearsay alone.”“Of course, of
Chapter 390As soon as Mr. Sterling ended the call with Williams, he hurried to his closet, throwing on a sleek navy suit and matching tie. His hands trembled slightly as he adjusted the knot, but he steeled himself, taking a deep breath.This wasn’t just a favor for Williams; it was a calculated move to get his two sons back. Grabbing his keys, he rushed out of his mansion, the elevator ride to the ground floor feeling agonizingly slow.When he finally stepped outside, the cool morning air bit at his face, but he paid it no mind. His black sedan waited at the curb, and he climbed in, starting the engine with a growl. As he sped toward Sky Suite, he rehearsed the lies he might need to tell to retrieve Jaxon’s car.The towering Sky Suite hotel loomed ahead, its modern glass facade gleaming brightly under the early morning sun. As Mr. Sterling approached the entrance, his stomach tightened. The sight of two patrol cars parked near the lobby entrance made his pulse quicken. Uniformed off
Chapter 389As soon as Kane received the message from Tom that Jaxon had finally broken under the pressure and confessed, he immediately pulled out his phone and dialed Williams. His tone was sharp, clipped, and direct as he relayed the crucial information.“He finally talked,” Kane said without any preamble. “He’s given up Jack’s location—some bunker near the old docks.”Williams, on the other end of the line, didn’t respond right away. The faint sound of tapping, likely his pen against his desk, filled the silence. “Good,” Williams finally said, his voice steady but tinged with calculation. “Did he say anything about how many men Jack has with him?”“Yeah,” Kane replied. “Three, including Jack himself. He said one of them ran away. It’s a small crew.”Williams let out a low hum of approval. “That’s manageable. We’ve got the numbers, four to three. Here’s the plan,” he said, leaning forward in his chair. “You’re going to prep Jaxon to lead you straight to the bunker. He’s our key. Ma