Life had been everything it should not be from the moment he got captured by the police, and none of the people he called allies made an attempt to help him, or even visit. It was almost as though Gerald had been canceled from their lives so easily. Viktor had pulled strings to remove Elina's name from the orchestration. The police agency was just as corrupt, and the truth meant nothing to those people.He was suddenly called into the visiting room. Gerald felt a knot tighten in his stomach as he headed there, accompanied by an officer.The knot in his stomach was nothing compared to the one in his chest after Gerald watched his former boss saunter in, an air of authority clinging to him. Gerald never would have thought of Anson visiting at a time like this. He knew him well since he spent long years of his life working for him. Anson was never in a place out of goodwill or coincidence. Everything was planned.The man, still one of the most feared figures in the state, surveyed Ger
Gerald's sudden reappearance didn't sit well with Viktor because he hadn't expected him to come back this soon. Only a person of affluence could have gotten him out that easily.Viktor had had his share of spies and two-faced workers, so he instantly knew what to watch out for. Gerald's release was one of those, which was why he called Elina to his home to interrogate her.Elina walked in, oblivious as always, and sat before her father. Even though he'd saved her from being in prison, she still couldn't seem to forgive him for all he'd done to hurt her.She was just going along with his authority till she found a way to break out. "I got your message, father. Is there a problem?" She asked."No, not exactly," Viktor responded. He wasn't sure how to ask her about Gerald without alarming her, and he knew Elina could be pretty rash. Gullible, too. "Is there something you want me to know…as of recent?"Elina pursed her lips. She knew her father wouldn't ask a question like that unless he
Viktor's suspicion of Gerald led him to a breakthrough finally. One of his men whom he'd placed on the investigation eventually called and told him he had something on Gerald, so Viktor waited in the office for him.After about an hour, the lad walked in with a brown envelope and bowed slightly to Viktor, who was eager for results. Viktor disregarded his greetings. "Go straight to the point," he said.The lad handed him the file and began to explain. "These are the pictures I was able to get from the dash cams and CCTV outside the penitentiary. It is true that Gerald met someone."Viktor impatiently tore the envelope open and fished out the series of pictures inside of it, curious to see the person who had Gerald's back. Was it Oliver? Little did he know that the results would shock him more than he'd expected.His gaze faltered when they landed on the pictures, and Anson's face came into view. He couldn't believe it. The pictures displayed different scenes of Geral getting into Anson
Gerald's arrival in Anson's hideout wasn't as productive or as friendly as he'd thought. How dare he forget that nothing about Anson was friendly?An air of tension hung in the air as Gerald recounted the frightening details of Viktor's failed assassination attempt.There wasn't a single tinge of sympathy in Anson's eyes as he watched Gerald narrate the story. The only thing he could think of was how he had underestimated Viktor Grey."The hotel room had been destroyed, but the reservation was under an alias. It won't be traceable to either of us," Gerald immediately added, careful as not to anger Anson.Anson's eyes narrowed as he absorbed the gravity of the situation. "You're telling me that Viktor Grey actively tried to have you killed?" His tone, a mix of disbelief and anger, betrayed the severity of the threat. "Which means he knows about me."Gerald, still shaken by the narrow escape, nodded solemnly. "Yes, Anson. It was a close call. I need your help to stop Viktor before he c
Oliver stirred from a deep slumber as his peaceful morning was interrupted by his ringing phone, cutting through the silence of his bedroom. He reached for the device on the nightstand, picking it up groggily with his eyes still heavy with the remnants of sleep. Reluctantly, he answered, a sense of tiredness settling over him.It was barely five am in the morning. What could be the problem? Oliver had slept late as usual. He spent half the night trying to sort some files."Yes?" Oliver answered grumpily as he placed his phone against his ear. His worker's voice crackled through the phone, delivering news that turned Oliver's sleepiness into disbelief and profound shock."The company, sir, it's on fire."The words hung in the air, heavy with urgency, and for seconds, Oliver couldn't bear to believe it. "What are you talking about?" He sat up. "What are you talking about?"His worker explained they found it ablaze, offering no clarity on the cause. "The security resumed at dusk, sayin
Gerald's head had been filled with all kinds of thoughts after he met Manuel Harper— the father he'd never known.The father he'd never had. Manuel's presence brought him peace as he knew that Manuel was capable of taking care of his mother. Asides from that, even after days had passed, Gerald hadn't been able to digest the fact that he had a father.Or that his father was someone of such affluence. It was indeed a gory scene. Anson's blood was no different from paint, sprawled across the floor that even Gerald couldn't avoid stepping on it as he walked into the building.One thing about information was how fast it lew around. Just this morning, Gerald had heard about Oliver's burning company, and he immediately knew that only Anson was capable of carrying out such reckless activity.Looking around as he walked in with a few of the men he'd begun to recruit, Gerald realized he made the right choice of trailing Oliver and his men throughout the day. He knew, deep down, that it was onl
The news of Anson's death had hit town, revealing to Oliver that there was someone else who wanted him dead and was working in the shadows.All in all, Anson was gone now, and Oliver focused his attention on rebuilding his company as soon as possible. Anson's actions had caused him so much loss, and it was only a matter of time before other ugly activities began to rear their heads when they learned that he was in a pickle.After spending the entire day supervising the construction going on, Oliver set out to head home after Mia called. He missed her and would want to spend the rest of the evening in her arms. All the struggles seemed to pull him away from the peace only Mia could offer.Even thinking about her made him want to leave sooner. Oliver arranged his suitcase and headed out of the site . He had the entire evening to feel loved. Finally, a day without interruption.Maybe he spoke too soon. Oliver watched as a vehicle parked before him, right next to his car. It was an expens
"Someone dropped this parcel for you, boss," Razor, one of Oliver's men, said as he made his way into the room. Razor was also a member of the shadows.Oliver lifted his head up, his eyes fixed on the parcel Razor was carrying in. It was a large envelope the size of a purse. It didn't look like it could contain anything harmful.But nothing was to be trusted. "Who dropped it?" Oliver quizzed as he took it from Razor, examining the parcel. It felt flat and woody. Whatever it contained must be a paper, perhaps a flat book."Manuel, sir," Razor responded. At the mention of Manuel's name, Oliver tore the envelope open and brought out an invitation card.He scoffed as he read it. "An invite?" Manuel was inviting Oliver to his yearly dinner party. Was this man bipolar? He thought.First, Manuel complained about Oliver's father being a traitor; now, he was trying to get close to him? There was another letter attached to the invitation, and Oliver read it.The letter was brief. Join the busin