2025-02-05 03:23:08Arthur approached the building with cautious steps, his instincts on high alert.
The place was a rugged, decayed structure, barely standing under years of neglect. The walls were cracked, exposing layers of peeling paint and mold, while the wooden door hung loosely on rusted hinges. The faint flicker of light from inside barely illuminated the grimy floor, littered with cigarette butts and broken glass. A strong stench of dampness, alcohol, and sweat filled the air, making Arthur’s stomach churn. He reached the door and turned the handle—it was unlocked. Carefully, he pushed it open and slipped inside unnoticed. The living room was dimly lit, with an old, flickering bulb casting eerie shadows on the walls. The furniture was torn, and empty beer bottles were scattered across the floor. A cracked television sat in the corner, creating a low, unsettling buzz. In the middle of the room, five burly men stood in a circle, grinning wickedly at the terrified young woman tied to a chair. Her hair was disheveled, her face streaked with tears, and her wrists were bound tightly with thick ropes. She struggled, but the men only laughed. One of them—a man with a crooked scar running down his cheek—leaned in close, gripping her chin roughly. “You thought you could refuse us? Too bad, sweetheart. We’ll have our fun first—then we’ll decide whether to let you live.” The other men chuckled darkly. The woman whose voice was already hoarse from crying, pleaded desperately. “Please, let me go! I swear I have nothing to give you!” The scar-faced man sneered. “We no longer need your money, we’ll take something else.” Just as the men moved closer, Arthur stepped forward with a loud and firm voice “Let her go. Now!” The men froze, turning sharply toward the sound of the voice. Their expressions shifted from amusement to fury. “Who the hell are you?” one of them snarled. Arthur took another step forward, his gaze unwavering. “Your worst nightmare if you don’t back off.” The scar-faced leader let out a cruel laugh. “Looks like we’ve got a hero here, boys.” He cracked his knuckles. “You must have a death wish, barging into our place like this!” Without another word, the five men lunged at Arthur. Arthur sidestepped the first attack with lightning speed, catching the thug’s wrist and twisting it hard. A loud snap echoed in the room as the man howled in pain, dropping to his knees. The second attacker threw a punch, but Arthur ducked and drove his elbow into the man’s ribs, sending him crashing into the broken table. Two more rushed him at once. Arthur spun on his heel, delivering a powerful roundhouse kick that sent one flying backward. The other managed to grab Arthur’s shirt, but Arthur pivoted swiftly, grabbing the man’s arm and flipping him over his shoulder. The thug landed hard, groaning in agony. The scar-faced leader charged at Arthur with a knife. Arthur caught his wrist mid-strike, twisted it, and slammed the back of the man’s head into the wall. The man collapsed, dazed. Arthur took a deep breath. In just seconds, all five men were sprawled across the floor, groaning in pain. He rushed to the young lady and began loosening her ropes. As Arthur knelt beside her with his hands working swiftly to loosen the thick ropes cutting into her wrists, he finally got a proper look at her face. For a moment, he almost forgot the danger they were in. She was breathtaking! Her fair skin, smooth and unblemished despite the ordeal, seemed to glow under the dim, flickering light. He noticed her long, dark lashes framed striking emerald-green eyes. They held a mixture of fear and gratitude. Her lips looked full and soft, a natural rosy hue, as though they had never needed any artificial enhancement. Her long, wavy chestnut hair tumbled over her shoulders in silken cascades, some strands falling across her face. Arthur instinctively reached up to brush them aside with his fingers grazing her skin for a fleeting second. Warm. Soft. Like the finest silk! Arthur had seen beautiful women before—Isabelle had been one of them. But this woman's beauty was completely different; nothing compared to Isabelle's! For the first time in a long while, Arthur felt his pulse race for a different reason. His body tensed and he wanted to hold her, to let his fingers trail against her porcelain skin to see if she was real. For a moment, Arthur forgot himself. But then—a sharp frown creased the lady's delicate features. Her brows furrowed, and she jerked her wrists away from his grip. Her expression turned cold, irritated by the intensity of his gaze. “What?” she snapped with her eyes narrowing. Arthur blinked, snapping out of his trance. His face hardened, and he quickly looked away, cursing himself for getting distracted. What the hell was he thinking? This wasn’t the time to admire a woman’s beauty. She needed rescuing, not his foolish stares. Clearing his throat, he straightened his back and took a step away. “We need to leave. Now.” But just as they were about to leave, a chilling sound filled the room. Click. Click. Arthur looked up to see two of the men back on their feet, pointing guns at him. The scar-faced man, blood trickling from his forehead, smirked. “You shouldn't have meddled in what wasn't your business, hero. Now, we’ll teach you a lesson!”
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One of the men raised his gun. "Try to take her, and we’ll put a bullet in your skull!” When they saw Arthur let go of the woman's hand, they assumed he was ready to surrender. "Hey, bastard!" one of the men sneered, thinking Arthur was about to walk away. "Once we shoot your arms, they’ll be completely useless! So you'll learn never to go where you're not invited!" Arthur chuckled, shaking his head. “Cowards! If you’re so tough, drop the guns and fight me like men.” The thugs' fingers tightened on their triggers. The woman gasped in horror. “Please, just leave! I don’t want you to die because of me!” Arthur ignored her plea. His mind worked fast, calculating his next move. In a flash, he jumped at the two gunmen from an angle they didn’t expect, twisting his body mid-air. His elbow smashed into one thug’s wrist, knocking the gun out of his hand. At the same time, Arthur grabbed the second man’s arm, wrestling the firearm away. A struggle ensued, f
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“That bastard is the reason we suffered!” Harriet seethed as she clutched the armrest of her chair. “That miserable excuse of a man had the audacity to come here, pretending to ask about our whereabouts!” Annie added bitterly. “And after all I did for him! After all I gave him! That ungrateful wretch wants revenge just because I divorced him. I’ll make him regret it. I swear to God, I will make him suffer for what he has done!” Isabelle spat. **** The following morning, Arthur was on his way to work when his phone rang. “Hello, is this Arthur Evans?” a formal voice asked. “Yes, this is he.” “I’m calling from Kembre Associates. We recently reviewed some previous applications and noticed you once applied for a position here. We have a special opening—a ‘Facility Maintenance and Sanitation Supervisor’—and we believe you are qualified.” Arthur’s heart leaped with hope. He had once applied for a cleaner position at Kembre Associates when he was desperate for a job. Now, th
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The Darwins Mansion was a breathtaking marvel, standing as the pinnacle of architectural excellence in Dalton City. Unlike any other estate, it was a masterpiece of grand columns, high-arched windows, and intricate gold-accented details. The sprawling lawns were flawlessly manicured, decorated with cascading fountains and rare, imported flowers that bloomed in vibrant colors. The mansion’s driveway, paved with polished marble, led to an enormous double-door entrance adorned with handcrafted carvings, showcasing the legacy of the Darwin family.Despite its beauty, the mansion was in chaos. Servants ran helter-skelter, attending to different tasks. Some fetched medicines, while others rushed to prepare herbal remedies or contacted more doctors. The air was thick with urgency and dread.Karen’s heart pounded as she hurried through the hallways, pushing past panicked attendants until she reached her father’s room. The moment she stepped inside, her breath caught in her throat.Her fa
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Arthur laughed bitterly. “Grateful?” He turned to Karen. “Is this really what you think of me?”Karen’s expression was torn, but she said nothing.Arthur clenched his fists. He had saved Karen’s life once, but now, she was letting him go over a setup.“Fine,” he said, his voice quiet. “Believe what you want.”Then, without another word, he turned and walked away.Karen hesitated, feeling a weight pressing against her chest. She wanted to leave, to clear her mind and focus on more pressing matters, but before she could step away, Sarah swiftly placed a folder in her hands.“Please, Miss Darwin, before you go, just take a look at this,” Sarah urged insistently.Karen sighed and opened the folder. Inside were neatly organized documents detailing Williams Empire’s achievements—successful projects completed for Darwins Group, images of multimillion-dollar real estate developments, infrastructure expansions, and numerous contributions Williams Empire had made over the years.“Look at the
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Karen’s other assistants murmured among themselves, exchanging uncertain glances. But Sarah stepped forward, her voice sharp and unwavering.“I agree with Mr Williams,” she declared. “This man should be checked to clear all doubts. If he’s truly innocent, then there’s nothing to worry about.”The others nodded in agreement, the tension thickening around them. Karen hesitated. She didn’t believe Chris’s words, but the pressure from those around her was overwhelming. If she refused, it might seem like she was taking Arthur’s side for no reason.Sighing, she raised a hand for silence. “Fine,” she said. “But not only Arthur will be checked. Everyone who has been around me—everyone of my assistants—will be searched as well.”Sarah chuckled, folding her arms. “I don’t mind at all,” she said smugly. “After all, I have nothing to hide.”Without wasting time, Karen called over a male and female security officer and instructed them to conduct the search.The female officer started with S
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Karen froze for a moment upon hearing Chris's confident claims. She hadn't expected such accusations against Arthur, and though surprise flickered across her face, she quickly masked it with composure. However, Chris had already caught the brief moment of doubt, and it emboldened him.A smug grin formed on his lips as he took a step closer to Arthur. “See? Even Miss Darwin is realizing what kind of scum you are,” he sneered before grabbing Arthur roughly by the collar. “A thief! A criminal! I warned everyone about you. It's clear you’re here to cause more trouble. Miss Darwin, call the law enforcement now and have him thrown out before he commits another crime. This man is dangerous!”Murmurs rippled through the surrounding crowd, and the security team stood ready to act. Chris, relishing the attention and support, tightened his grip on Arthur’s collar. But before things could escalate further, a sudden force shoved Chris backward.It was Karen!A stunned silence fell over the gr
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The conference hall was bustling with activity as Karen, Arthur, and her other assistants arrived. The venue was filled with people from all over the world—business elites, industry experts, and representatives from powerful corporations. Karen, with her impeccable sense of style, stood out effortlessly in the crowd.She walked confidently with her assistants and Arthur trailing closely behind her. The air was thick with anticipation for the event, but just as they approached the entrance of the hall, Karen’s sharp ears caught a familiar voice calling her name."Karen! Is that really you?"Karen paused and her head turned toward the voice. Standing a few feet away was a woman dressed in a sophisticated yet graceful outfit. Her face was one Karen hadn't seen in years but instantly recognized. It was Lily, her childhood friend, now a prominent figure in Telara. They had lost contact over the years, but seeing her again felt like a gift from the past."Can it really be you?" Karen
Chapter 19
For a moment, Arthur held his breath, wondering if Karen had recognized him—the intensity of her gaze making it impossible to tell.Then, before he could react, Karen strode forward with her black stiletto heels clicking against the polished marble floor. To everyone's absolute shock, she wrapped her arms around him, pulling him into a tight embrace.The corridor fell into a stunned silence.Arthur froze, his hands suspended awkwardly in the air.Not far away, Karen's other assistants, employees, and security stood frozen, all staring in stunned silence."Had Miss Darwin mistaken that cleaner for someone else?"They wondered how Karen Darwin—CEO of Darwins Group and one of the most powerful businesswomen in the Hendille Region—be hugging an ordinary cleaner?It was unthinkable!But Karen wasn’t letting go.After what felt like an eternity, Karen finally released Arthur, taking a step back and studying him intently. Her gaze moved down, scanning his legs and body as if she was checki
Chapter 18
“Sarah!” Chris barked, his voice laced with fury.The woman on the other end went silent.Chris’s patience had run out.“Have you heard what’s happening to Williams Empire?!” he demanded.Sarah hesitated.“I… I heard some rumors…” she stammered.Chris clenched his jaw.“Then let me confirm it for you, Sarah.” His voice was sharp. “Darwins Group is already taking legal action against my company. They have discovered the secrets we’ve kept hidden for years!”Sarah inhaled sharply.“Chris, I—”Chris cut her off.“Do something about this, Sarah!” he snapped.“Use your influence! That was the whole damn point of our arrangement, wasn’t it? You’ve enjoyed all the luxuries I’ve given you. I’ve spent millions on you, and now, when it’s time for you to pull your weight, you’re speechless?”Sarah’s voice wavered.“Chris, please, listen—”“No, you listen, Sarah!” he interrupted. “If you don’t fix this mess, be prepared to return every damn thing I’ve given you. Every cent, every car, every trip
Chapter 17
Isabelle’s grip on her phone tightened as the man delivered the disappointing news.The words echoed in her head, sending a wave of rage coursing through her veins.“You incompetent fools!” she hissed into the phone. “How did you let that worthless scum slip away?! You were supposed to be watching him round the clock!”The man on the other end of the line stammered, struggling to come up with an excuse.“Madam, w-we… we don’t know how it happened. We had everything under control, but somehow—”“Somehow, you all proved yourselves to be as useless as ever,” Isabelle interrupted coldly. “Do I surround myself with imbeciles? Do I?”The silence that followed was heavy.“Listen to me,” Isabelle continued, her voice dangerously low. “You and every other idiot who let this happen will pay! Mark my words!”She ended the call, her jaw clenched in irritation.Still, she wasn’t truly bothered about Arthur.He was infact nothing. A pathetic piece of trash too insignificant to be a real threat.
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The offer stunned Isabelle.Leading Lewis Associates?Becoming a major stakeholder in the family’s assets?This was no small opportunity.It meant power! Control! Influence!*****The evening breeze was cool and refreshing as Isabelle and Chris sat together at a luxurious relaxation spot, overlooking the shimmering city skyline. The atmosphere was serene, a perfect setting for two lovers planning their upcoming wedding, which was just a few weeks away.Chris reached for Isabelle’s hand, rubbing his thumb over her skin affectionately.“I can’t believe we’re finally here, planning our future,” he said, his voice filled with warmth.Isabelle smiled, but something weighed heavily on her chest.She knew she had to tell Chris about her family’s crisis—he was the only one powerful enough to turn things around.Taking a deep breath, she gazed at him with a serious expression.“Chris, there’s something I need to tell you,” she began.Chris’s brows furrowed slightly, sensing the shift in her t
