RISE OF THE EX-CONVICT

CHAPTER 264 - NICHOLAS LOUGHTY IS BACK

Nicholas stood right in front of his mirror, fully dressed up in his crisp, charcoal-gray suit and polished leather shoes. He stared intently at his reflection, his eyes narrowed in concentration as he carefully adjusted the knot of his deep burgundy tie.

His usually unruly dark hair had been neatly trimmed and styled, not a single strand out of place. He had to look perfect.

It had been weeks since he'd last seen his own face in the mirror, trapped in the sterile confines of the hospital room as his body fought to recover from the gunshot wound that had nearly claimed his life.

But now, as he scrutinized his appearance, he couldn't help but feel a sense of relief wash over him. He was finally him again, not some pathetic helpless man who had been laying on a bed, unable to move his body for weeks.

"Nicholas Loughty is back,"

The pallor that had once graced his features had been replaced by a healthy glow, the dark circles under his eyes had faded, and the