Maverick shifted in his seat but met his father’s angry stare. "It wasn’t enough, okay? Things are expensive! You have no idea what it’s like to keep up appearances. There was this event, and then the after-parties—”“Lavishing money on parties and events!” Rudra cut him off, his voice now booming. "You’re wasting the money I give you, and now you want more? Have you lost your mind?"Maverick's face flushed with anger as he shot back. "The money is small! Do you even know how much my friends spend in a night? They’re living it up, and I’m here counting every penny you give me like some... some common kid! I need more! There’s this huge show coming up, and I can’t miss it. Everyone will be there!”Rudra stood up, his patience clearly gone. "You want more money?" he yelled. "Then come work for it! I’m not a bottomless bank. You want to live like a king? Fine, then start helping me run this hotel. You need to understand how hard it is to make that money you throw away!”Maverick's eyes w
Matthew drove with steady focus, completely absorbed in trailing Maverick's car. He didn’t notice anything unusual as they wound through the streets, his eyes fixed on the target ahead. Eventually, Maverick turned into the driveway of a luxurious villa and parked. Matthew and Austin slowed down, stopping a bit farther up the road, keeping their car hidden from view.Maverick stepped out of his car, looking irritated, and walked toward the front door of his villa. The brothers watched as he entered the house, the door closing behind him.Inside their car, Matthew glanced at Austin. "Do you think he'll come out anytime soon?"Austin shrugged, leaning back in his seat. "I can't tell... but hold on." Without waiting for a response, he opened the car door and stepped out, heading towards Maverick’s villa.Matthew watched him go, frowning but staying put as Austin approached the door. Austin knocked firmly. After a brief wait, the door creaked open, revealing Maverick, who eyed Austin with
Cipherella sat at her laptop, her fingers moving swiftly over the keys as she worked her technical magic. First, she accessed the hotel's WiFi system, rerouting and masking their connection to prevent any possible tracking. She installed several layers of security encryption, making sure no one could trace their online activity back to them. Every five seconds, she set up an automatic IP change, bouncing their location to different countries around the globe. One moment, it would show them as operating from Japan, the next from Brazil, then Germany, and so on.After a while, Cipherella glanced up at Benjamin with a satisfied smile. “Master, I’ve changed the WiFi system so no one can trace us. Our connection is now completely secure. I’ve also set up an IP relay that changes our location every five seconds. We’ll look like we’re operating from dozens of countries in just a few minutes.”Benjamin, who had been inspecting the gun in his hand, looked over at her, clearly impressed. “You’v
Soon, Maverick’s eyes began to flicker open, a dull, throbbing pain spreading across his head. He groaned, trying to reach up and rub his temple, but his hand wouldn’t move. He blinked several times, shaking his head to clear the blur from his vision. His heart pounded in his chest as the room came into focus.He was in an empty, vast space—no furniture, no windows, just walls that loomed around him. His arms were tied behind his back, his wrists tightly bound, and his legs were tied together, preventing any movement.“What the hell?” Maverick muttered as he tried shaking himself free, only to realize the bonds held him firmly in place. Panic surged through him.As he raised his head, his eyes widened in disbelief. Two figures stood in front of him, arms crossed, staring intently at him. Maverick blinked again, trying to make sense of what he was seeing.“Matthew? Austin?” he rasped, his voice dry and weak. The sight of Austin made his blood run cold; he had spoken with him not long a
Austin’s eyes narrowed as he leaned in closer, his voice growing more intense. “I’ll ask you again, Maverick. Where is Benjamin?” Maverick’s anger flared as he thrashed in his bindings, his patience snapping. His voice was rough and filled with frustration. “Why the hell are you asking me? Am I Benjamin’s keeper?!” He sneered, the tension in his face making it clear he was trying to put on a brave front. “I don’t know where he is, and I don’t care! Do I look like I keep tabs on that guy?” Matthew clenched his fists, his muscles tensing as he exchanged a look with Austin. Maverick's defiance only seemed to fuel the fire in the room. Austin, still calm but visibly annoyed, stood up slowly and towered over Maverick. “You seem to know enough to throw insults,” Austin said, his voice quieter now but with a threatening edge. "So how about you stop pretending, and start talking?" Maverick glared up at them, his bravado not faltering. He sneered, his lips curling as he tried to push back a
Without warning, Matthew struck him again, the hook digging into Maverick's shoulder. "Tell me, where is our brother?"Maverick screamed once more, writhing in his restraints. His face twisted in agony, but Matthew’s eyes were cold, waiting for the truth.At that moment, Maverick was utterly terrified. His fear was overwhelming, coursing through his veins like ice. He hadn't expected Brianna to tell them what he had said, and the truth he was hiding—that he had gotten Benjamin killed—was something he could never admit. If they found out, it would be his end.Instantly, Maverick's mind scrambled for a lie, anything that could save him. "Wait!" he gasped, his voice trembling with desperation. "I— I only said that because I wanted Brianna! She— she seemed to like Benjamin, and I was jealous. I said it to piss her off! I didn’t mean it!”His eyes darted between Austin and Matthew, hoping they'd buy his story. "I swear, that's all it was!"Matthew started hitting Maverick again, each swing
Maverick whimpered, struggling against the ropes. His body trembled, covered in bruises from the relentless blows. Each strike felt like fire on his skin, and he was reaching his limit. He gasped for air, his mind racing for anything that could save him from the torture. "I... I swear, I just wanted to get Brianna angry! That’s why I said Benjamin was dead! I don’t know anything else!"Matthew growled in frustration but didn't stop. He struck Maverick again, this time across his back, making his body convulse in pain. "I’m not stopping until you tell me where Benjamin is!" he shouted, his voice echoing in the empty room.Maverick’s body trembled uncontrollably, his breath coming in short, ragged gasps. His face was streaked with tears and sweat, and blood trickled from several deep cuts along his arms and legs where the hook had torn into his flesh. The once-pristine shirt he wore was now soaked in a mix of sweat and crimson, sticking to his skin. His lips quivered as he sobbed, the p
Opening the door, Cordelia was surprised to see the butler standing there, his posture as poised as ever."Butler?" she asked, her brow furrowing in curiosity. "Come inside."The butler shook his head gently, his eyes twinkling as he took in her appearance. "You're looking so beautiful tonight. Where did you get this outfit?" he asked, his voice warm.Cordelia smiled, glancing down at her black jalabiya dress. "I got it from a store that sells African clothing. Picked up three of them. Is it nice?”"It’s very nice," the butler replied, nodding in approval. "Makes you look even more beautiful, my dear."Cordelia nodded in gratitude. "Thank you, my grandpa. But why have you come here?" she asked, curiosity creeping back into her voice."I was wondering if you'd accompany me for a stroll around the estate," the butler said, his tone gentle. "Are you busy?"Cordelia shook her head. "No, not at all. I’d be glad to take a walk with you.”"Hold on," she said quickly, moving back into the roo