As Manuel walked into his luxurious home, the weight of the day's activities still lingered in his mind. He'd left the office briefly after a meeting with his workers to spend little time at home.Manuel was aware that Oliver was looking for him, which was why he had hidden Gerald's mother in another one of his owned apartments.Just as he settled in, his phone rang, interrupting the silence of his residence. A smirk played on his lips as he answered, expecting another move in the chess game with Oliver. Manuel had been nothing short of entertained ever since the streak of threats he'd been sending began.Oliver would; Manuel Manuel was sure of it. Somehow, he'd make sure that he stood at the top. "Boss, there's a fight at the company," the voice on the other end crackled.This had to be Oliver, Manuel thought. Was this really Oliver's genius plan to draw him out? If it was, then it was going to fail woefully.A hearty laugh escaped Manuel's throat. "Oliver's trying to play me, huh?
Elina's departure from the troubles swirling around her felt like a breath of relief. She'd been planning the vacation for so long, and now seemed like the right time to explore that option."Do you have to go by this time?" Viktor asked. He didn't particularly like the idea of her leaving, but he'd sit with it since Elina wasn't one to listen to instructions at whatever cost."I have to," she sighed, watching her father's bodyguard and driver carry her luggage to the vehicle parked outside. "It's only a few weeks. Maui is quiet and peaceful, unlike this god-forsaken town!"Viktor nodded. There wasn't much he could say or do, especially since she'd rejected going with bodyguards. He just had to make sure she got on the plane safely and unnoticeably.Maybe Elina's leaving was for the best. It'd give him time to fight the war that was slowly beckoning.Her father bid her farewell with a forced smile, concealing the tumultuous emotions beneath the surface. With a bodyguard next to her, E
It had been four hours, maybe five, since Gerald's conversation with Viktor. He sat at the corner of the room, a place where he could keep an eye on Elina. As feeble as she seemed, she was just as conniving as her father.Elina began to grunt tirelessly, calling on Gerald's attention with her muffled cries. He tried to ignore it, focusing on his next series of plans, but her struggle grew more raggedy— like she was trying to say something.Gerald reluctantly walked up to her, pulling down the towel covering her mouth. A stoic expression on his face as he asked what she wanted. "I wouldn't want to have to knock you out, Elina."She gasped, panting to catch her breath as she glared at him, his imposing figure hovering over her. "What kind of kidnapper doesn't give their victims bathroom breaks?!" She yelled at the top of her lungs.Elina couldn't seem to get scared of Gerald. Her father was the target, not her. Even though a lot about him had changed in such a short period, she still kn
The sleek black car glided through the city streets as Oliver stared out of the window, lost in his thoughts, until Bill broke the silence."Oliver, we need to talk about something," Bill said, his eyes focused on the road.Oliver turned to look at him, a hint of curiosity in his eyes. "What's going on?" He asked in a husky tone. Bill took a deep breath before diving into the unsettling story that seemed to be flying around. "It's about Elina and Gerald. Seems like trouble is brewing."Elina and Gerald? Was there ever a moment of peace with those two? Oliver raised an eyebrow, concern etching lines on his forehead. "Trouble? What happened?"Bill recounted the situation, describing how Gerald had forcefully taken control of Manuel's company and was now holding Elina hostage. Oliver's jaw tightened as he processed the gravity of the situation."Not to mention, Manuel Harper was the sick lad's father. How fucking surprising is that?""Gerald? The same guy who used to be a mere pawn in t
The room was completely dipped in silence as both parties held each other's gaze, waiting for one to speak first. Oliver was seated on a chair next to Gerald's hospital bed. The air was choked with the pungent smell of antiseptics and drugs that made the experience worse for Oliver.It had been two days since Gerald had been in the hospital, but this was the first time Oliver was setting eyes on him. No matter how hard Oliver tried to push down his anger, he couldn't seem to forget how much of a scumbag Gerald had always been. And now, they sat before each other, struggling with internal deliberations until Gerald finally pierced through the silence with his hoarse voice."I'd repay you for this, I promise," He said, groaning as he got up. "I'd have died back there if it weren't for you. I couldn't possibly-""Stop patronizing me," Oliver interrupted harshly. "Rather, tell me why I was the only person you could reach out to. Is this another game of yours? Did Viktir send you?"Gerald,
A strange wave of anxiety reverberated through her bones as she stood by the door. The open icon pasted on the door wasn't enough reason for Elina to knock. The anxiety was eating her up from the inside, yet this step was necessary in the course of returning her peace of mind.After a while, Elina knocked, and a voice came from the other side of the door, ushering her in. This therapist was one of her closest friend's recommendations, and Elina planned to get the best out of it. The last couple of months had been a spiral from one traumatic experience to another. It had sucked her dry. The nightmares were consistent, but she couldn't leave. Her safety was dandling, and her father's foes would stop at nothing to use her as an avenue to punish him. There was no escaping it.Just as Gerald had done, there would be many more. And Elina wasn't ready for it. She needed to heal and become stronger. Quietly, she walked into the brown, furnished office where a man sat at the end of the room,
Alexander was well aware of his sister's hate for the Lionheart family. Every single one of them, especially Oliver's father. Gianna had gotten into a series of unfortunate happiness with that household.After all this while, it hadn't still ended. George Lionheart was gone, and Oliver was just as much of a nuisance as his father was. He poured his sister a glass and tossed it to her. Gianna downed it in a go, her hands ruffling her hair as memories from the past started to gush in, gnawing at her stability.Alexander could tell from the way Gianna paced the room that her anger had gone over the roof— as it always does. Gianna's heart started to ache. She hadn't healed at all after all this time had passed. It was shameful.Extremely shameful by a man who barely cared about anything but himself! Oliver's father was her unbecoming, and even in his death, his deeds remained deeply engraved in her heart. If she still had one.Gianna took another sip of the whiskey and slammed the glass o
The plush carpet muffled Michael's footsteps as he approached Oliver's office. Oliver's secretary eyed him with suspicion as he tried to make his way through without a prior appointment. Michael's attempts to charm her were met with skepticism until he resorted to some arguments that eventually persuaded her to announce his presence.With a stern-faced security guard walking behind him, Michael entered Oliver's office. The atmosphere was tense, and Oliver scrutinized him with a raised eyebrow, diverting his attention from the pile of files sitting on his desk.Michael extended a hand. "Oliver, it's a pleasure to meet you. I'm John Reynolds, a lawyer. I've been following your career closely, and I believe I can be an invaluable asset to you." Oliver remained skeptical, eyeing Michael's outstretched hand before reluctantly shaking it. Who was this dude?Oliver had never seen him or heard of him. "What makes you think I need a lawyer?""Well, Oliver, let me show you." Michael placed fi
"How is the child holding up?" Jake asked Viktor Grey over the phone while he fixed his attention on Stacy. The little child was obviously terrified, and the constant dripping of water from the leaking pipes made her even more unsettled."She is coping better than I imagined. Now all that is left is for us to kill that bastard cop and Oliver with it," Viktor Grey said to him."I know that Oliver will reach out soon. And when he does, I will be ready for him. You have dozens of my men to guard you there. You will be fine," Jake told Viktor Grey and then hung up. As soon as he did, Viktor returned his attention to Stacy.She whimpered and dragged herself back as he approached her..he had a wicked laugh on his face."Don't be afraid little one. I will not hurt you. I just want to hurt your daddy and the man he works with. You see, I used to have a daughter like you. Her name was Elina. She was very beautiful and she was brilliant. But the man your daddy works with killed her and so, I wa
"This can be a trap. Tell me why I must believe you," Oliver asked her and Beth sighed. She could not believe that she was making some sort of negotiation with Oliver."Left for me, you will be behind bars right now. But I am doing this for Steven and I am breaking my code to do it so do not make it harder than it already is," she said to him and Oliver smiled."I like you. Come with me," he told her and then led her to his study. Miranda was there clicking furiously on the systems there.. when Beth approached, she stopped what she was doing and then gazed at Beth for a while."Miranda, meet Beth, Beth Miranda. She's our eyses in the sky. I have a feeling that you'll both be friends. Beth, tell me where you think Stacy is," Oliver asked."Somewhere in St Lambert's City. The tiger gang has a secret hideout in St Lambert's that they use for various dangerous activities. My best guess would be that they brought her here to avoid suspicion from the cops. Besides, it was probably a diversi
"Heard what?" Oliver could feel his anger rising. The heat in the room suddenly increased and when he approachd Pascal, Pascal jerked back to avoid the possible punch that was coming his way "I did not know about Mia. I am really sorry Oliver. I am broken beyond what you can imagine. And I am furious! I am so furious that I wan to vent my anger on someone and I don't know who," Pascal said to him."And why are you here then? To vent your anger on me?" Oliver asked while raising his eyebrow. Pascal sighed defeated as his shoulders dropped."No, not at all. I just came here to help you in your mission.. I know that you will not sit tight and watch those who killed her be at peace. I know that you will destroy them. So I want to join you. Please Oliver forgive me. I need your forgiveness. I know that I do not deserve it but I just want you to please forgive me," he said to oliver. Oliver did not feel his anger subside, not even for a moment. He gazed at Pascal again and Wondered what mi
"No, fuck! This cannot he happening to me!" Steven tried to breath as the words found their way out of his mouth but he just could not fathom the degree of pain that he was feeling. Anger would not help him at that time he thought. Jake had decided to Target his family and the only way that he was getting his family back was if met Jake's forces with one that was equal to the task, or if he surrenders.Steven quickly took the phone. He dialed Oliver's number and waited for him to pick up the phone."Steven," Oliver said as soon as he picked us up."Oliver. He has my daughter. That bastard has taken my daughter and I do not know what to do. He said he'll send me a location to meet with him and I have to decide whether or not I'll give my life for her," Steven blurted out."Take it easy Steven. Nothing will happen to your daughter or to you. I will ensure it," Oliver told him."But what can you do? Jake said that you cannot help me. My only option is to die for my daughter to live. I ha
"Like we said earlier, we do not allow anyone without an invitation to pass. I don't care if you are the chief of police. You are not stepping into this house," the guard repeated and that made Steven to wonder just how bad it is that the police force in Marshtown had fallen. If they could have no respect for his badge, then he just had to beat the living shit out of them"Let me pass. I will not ask you again," Steven said to the guards. One of them brought out his gun and gazed at Steven with fierce eyes."You need to leave now, mister or we will have a oribkemy," he said to Steven and just as Steven was about to make a move at them, the front door opened.. it was the judge"Let him through. He and I have some catching up to do," the judge said and the bodyguards let Steven pass. Steven followed the judge to The living room and there the judge settled himself into a chair. He even appeared to be Richer than he was some months ago."I can see that you are back from the dead, Steven.
"Chief, what are you doing here?" Steven asked the chief as he slowly approached him. The chief paid close attention to the files that was in Steven's hands and then his eyes roamed to Steven's."Don't tell me you still plan on pursuing that case. I told you it was dangerous, Steven and you do not want to listen to me. That case will get you killed," the chief said and Steven dropped the files in his hand. He paid a closer look to the chief and for real he could see worry in the man's face."I don't understand. Why are you telling me all of this?" He asked the chief really desperate for answers. The chief sighed."When the tiger gang found out that you were following them, they planned to have you killed. They reached out to me and asked me to do the job otherwise they would kill my family. I tried to beg them but they were adamant. They would not take no for an answer. So, I made up my mind about you," the chief stopped, and then observed the dark face that Steven was wearing at that
"Come in, you will be safe here," Bill said to Avira. She gazed into the well furnished apartment before she stepped inside. The warmth of the place enveloped her and for a moment, she was feeling secure."I still don't understand why I'm hwre. I told you I was fine. You didn't need to go through all of this for me," she told him."Nonsense. You were lucky that day that you stepped out to get coffee while he explosion occurred. If Oliver's enemies wanted to know something about him, who do you think will be in the best position to tell them what's happening with him? Of course it's his secretary. I want to keep you safe so that no harm will come to you," he added. Avira could feel her heart melting. But she refused to admit it."Well in that case, I hope there is something to drink. Where are we exactly?" She asked him."This is my house. I come here sometimes to relax for a moment and then focus my thoughts." He told her."You are really loyal to Oliver. You literally forget to live
Oliver drove his car to the address on the envelope. It was an expensive restaurant, one that he had planned to visit with Mia after their honeymoon. He shoved back the painful thoughts and then stepped down from the car. Oliver gazed the entrance one more time and then stepped into the restaurant."Good evening sir, how may I be of assistance?" A waiter asked him and then oliver smiled."Good evening. I am looking for this table," he said and then showed her the number on the envelope. The girl smiled at him again."Please come with me sir," she said and then led him away. Oliver followed her closely, and as they walked through the scanty place, he could feel the eyes of some people on him. He knew who they were immediately, they were part of Jake's group."In here sir," she said to him and Oliver Stepped into the room that she was pointing towards. As soon as he entered the well decorated space, he looked around.There were beautiful lighting all over the place and the large chairs
"So you mean to tell me that that lowlife cop decided to show again in my town?" Jake asked over the phone and the chief of police sighed"I gave him explicit warnings and told him not to ever return to this town but he did not listen. I don't know how he managed to work his way back. My instructions were very clear on him sir. That cop Should never set foot in Marshtown, that was what I said." The chief of police stated and Jake laughed."It seems like he is begging to die. I suppose that I should Grant his wish then. If he wants death, who am I to say that I will not kill him?" He said to the chief of police."Give him some time sir. I am sure that I can persuade him to return to St Lambert's City. He cannot gain anything from being here. He will only make things worse. He came back and started accusing the tiger gang of being responsible of some crimes. I will take care of him myself. You do not need to worry," the chief of police stated. He wanted to save Steven's life at least.