The corridor was silent save for the harsh, echoing sound of Richard’s strikes against Todd’s legs. Each brutal blow resonated with sickening cracks, and Todd’s screams filled the air as his bones shattered. His once-arrogant demeanor was gone, replaced by bloodied, broken agony. James watched without flinching, feeling a strange satisfaction at the justice unfolding before him.
Laura, Todd’s mother, lunged forward, her face twisted with rage. “You monster!” she screamed, her voice raw with fury. “You can’t do this to my son!”
Richard turned calmly and, without hesitation, kicked her back with a force that sent her sprawling to the ground. He took a step forward, towering over her. “I suggest you stay silent,” he said, his voice low and menacing. “Or you’ll find yourself joining him.”
Laura’s face paled, and she crawled backward, too terrified to speak. Henry, Todd’s father, stood frozen, his eyes wide with fear as he realized the danger of crossing James and his powerful allies.
Dr. Robert Blake, though visibly shaken, held his ground. He crossed his arms, his defiance unbroken. “You think you can scare me?” he spat, glaring at James. “I’m the vice president of this hospital. I can have every one of you thrown out. And I assure you, I’ll be seeing you in court for this.”
James gave him a calm, assessing look. “You seem quite confident, Dr. Blake. But that’s a lot of bluster for a man who might want to consider his appearance.” He raised an eyebrow, his cryptic statement hanging in the air.
Richard’s gaze sharpened, picking up on James’s hint. A dangerous smile spread across his face as he nodded to his men. “Strip him of that hair,” he ordered, a deadly calm in his voice. “Let’s give Dr. Blake a look that matches his… reputation.”
Before Robert could react, two of Richard’s men seized him, holding him in place as a third man took a razor and mercilessly shaved off every remaining strand of Robert’s hair. By the time they were done, Robert’s scalp was cut and bleeding, his appearance stripped of the polished pride he clung to.
Despite his bruised and humiliated state, Robert still tried to cling to his authority, his voice shaking as he threatened, “You’ll regret this. I have powerful connections, and I will make sure every hospital turns against you, Carter. Mark my words.”
But his confidence wavered as a figure entered the corridor, drawing the attention of everyone present. Michael Grant, the esteemed president of First Hospital of New York, walked in, his presence alone enough to silence the room. Known for his uncompromising stance on ethics and patient care, Michael’s reputation preceded him, and he was the last person Robert had expected to see.
Michael’s gaze swept over the scene before landing on Robert with cold disapproval. “Dr. Blake,” he began, his voice carrying a weight of authority that made everyone in the corridor tense. “Your actions today have disgraced not only yourself but this entire institution.”
Robert’s face drained of color. “Mr. Grant… sir, this is a misunderstanding. These men—”
Michael raised a hand, silencing him. “Enough. I have all the information I need.” He pulled out a folder from under his arm, filled with documented proof of Robert’s bribery, misconduct, and abuse of authority. “Your corruption runs deep, Dr. Blake. And your behavior here has confirmed that you’re unfit for any position in this hospital.”
Robert’s mouth opened and closed, his face etched with desperation. “Please, Mr. Grant, I… I didn’t mean—”
Michael’s gaze was unyielding. “You are officially stripped of your title as vice president. Effective immediately, your medical license will be revoked, and you will face criminal charges.”
The words hit Robert like a blow, and he staggered, his last shred of arrogance dissolving as he processed the severity of his punishment.
“No, no… please,” he pleaded, his voice barely above a whisper. “Have mercy. I… I can change, I swear.”
Michael’s face remained impassive. “The police are on their way. You can explain yourself to them.”
As if on cue, the sound of footsteps echoed from the end of the hall as two police officers approached, summoned by Michael. They took Robert by the arms, leading him away as he struggled weakly, still mumbling pleas for mercy. His family watched, too shocked and terrified to intervene.
Once Robert was gone, Michael turned his attention to Todd, who lay on the ground, writhing in pain. He shook his head, a look of disappointment crossing his face. “Todd Blake, you have disgraced yourself and your family. Your actions here are despicable, and your disrespect toward patients and staff is intolerable.”
Laura, who had finally managed to pick herself up, cried out, “Please, Mr. Grant, don’t punish my son for one mistake.”
Michael’s gaze turned icy. “This was no mistake. Your son deliberately endangered a patient’s life, taunted her family, and abused his position. As of today, Todd is banned from this hospital and all others in the city.”
Laura’s face twisted in horror. “But… his legs, they’re… he needs treatment.”
Michael’s expression remained impassive. “I suggest you find another city. He will not be receiving care here.”
Todd’s face went pale, the gravity of his situation dawning on him. His earlier arrogance was now replaced with fear and despair as he clutched his broken legs, realizing the severity of his punishment.
Michael turned to James, his expression shifting to one of respect. “Mr. Carter, I apologize for the distress this has caused you and your sister. I assure you, there will be no further interference with Emily’s care. She will have the best treatment available.”
James nodded, his face softening as he extended a hand. “Thank you, Mr. Grant. Your support means a great deal to me and my family.”
Michael took his hand, giving it a firm shake. “You have my word, Mr. Carter. No one will harm Emily again.”
As Michael left to oversee the formalities of Robert’s dismissal, Richard remained by James’s side, nodding in satisfaction. “Justice served, wouldn’t you say?”
James glanced at the retreating figures of Robert’s family, now disgraced and humiliated, and allowed himself a slight smile. “More than I could have hoped for.”
The onlookers who had witnessed the entire scene were left in stunned silence, whispering amongst themselves as they absorbed what had just happened. James’s power was now undeniable, his influence reaching far beyond anything they’d expected. He had allies in high places and was a man not to be trifled with.
As he returned to Emily’s side, gently adjusting her blanket, James felt a renewed sense of purpose. The battle for his family’s safety and dignity was far from over, but he knew now that he was not alone. With allies like Richard and Michael by his side, he could confront whatever challenges lay ahead—and he would ensure that no one would ever threaten his loved ones again.

Latest Chapter
Chapter 111
The lights flickered as the metal doors hissed open.Emily stood frozen at the sight of him.Ethan.But not the brother she remembered—the one who teased her about her cooking, who used to hum old rock songs while fixing the engine on their dad’s truck. This Ethan moved like a shadow. Cold. Precise.His eyes scanned the room with mechanical calculation. When they landed on her, something flickered—but then vanished like mist under sunlight.“Emily Shaw,” he said. Voice monotone. “Target confirmed.”“No—Ethan, it’s me. It’s Em.”She took a shaky step forward. He didn’t move.“I remember the fire,” she said, heart pounding. “Valkyrie base. You told me to run. You covered me with your coat, remember? You burned your arm so I could get out.”His hand twitched.For a second—just a second—his lips parted, confused. But then a sharp, unseen signal surged through him. He straightened like a soldier.“You are a variable,” he said. “You must be neutralized.”She barely dodged the first strike.
Chapter 110
Emergency lights bathed the courtyard in a crimson hue as sirens pierced the night. Faculty scrambled through corridors, ushering students out of their dormitories. Within five minutes of Nash’s call, the school was nearly empty—except for one figure.Emily.She stood in the library’s upper gallery, staring out the window at the chaos unfolding below. Her breath was steady, her hands clenched. She knew Liam was making his move. And she wasn’t going to run.Maple HQ – Tactical Bay – 1:07 AM“We have motion sensors tripped on the Academy’s west perimeter,” Damien reported. “Evacuation’s in progress. No casualties—yet.”Victor’s eyes locked with James’s. “You think he’s bluffing?”James shook his head. “Liam doesn’t bluff. He performs.”Pamela rushed in, phone to her ear. “Emily’s not answering. She’s not on the evac list.”James’s expression hardened. “She stayed behind.”“Why would she—”“Because she wants to end it.”James grabbed his jacket and turned to Victor. “Prep the team. We go
Chapter 109
Liam’s MistakeLocation: Ravencliff – Abandoned Rail YardTime: 9:12 PMThe rain came down hard, slicing through the dark like glass. James stood at the edge of the old Ravencliff rail yard, hidden beneath the overhang of a rusted structure. His breath misted in the cold air, but his mind burned—sharp, focused.This was Liam’s last known meeting point. According to intel extracted from the captured intruder—now rotting in a hidden cell beneath Maple HQ—Liam was scheduled to meet one of his European allies here.Victor’s voice crackled through James’s earpiece.“North tunnel’s clear. No sign of movement.”“Copy,” James replied. “Damien?”“Got eyes on the east. There’s someone approaching.” A beat. “Female. Tall. Blonde. Marissa Vane.”James’s jaw clenched.Time to move.Platform 3 – 9:17 PMMarissa Vane stood beneath a cracked canopy, her designer heels out of place against the gravel and rust. She lit a cigarette, hands trembling slightly. Her eyes scanned the dark. No Liam.Then Jame
Chapter 108
Underground Bunker – 03:17 AMEmily jolted awake, drenched in sweat. The lights above flickered briefly before stabilizing. Silence settled again—too deep, too complete. She swung her legs over the edge of the cot, listening.Then she heard it.A faint, rhythmic hum—metal on concrete. Wheels. Slow. Deliberate.Emily moved swiftly to the control panel, triggering the silent alarm James had taught her to use only in emergencies. Green lights blinked—no breaches registered. But something wasn’t right.The hum grew louder.She reached under the bed, pulling out the emergency pistol stashed beneath the floorboard.Maple Group Command Center – Same TimeJames’s phone buzzed once.He checked the encrypted alert on his private screen. His blood turned cold.BUNKER: PERIMETER SENSOR FAILURE – EAST CORRIDORHe was already moving before Victor could speak. “Lock down the estate. Scramble the bunker guards. I want eyes on every access point.”Pamela stepped into the room, her expression drawn. “E
Chapter 107
Note inside the box:“You missed. Again. But don’t worry—next time, I won’t.”—LVictor scanned the area with growing unease. “He’s mocking us.”James stared at the bullet in his palm. It was polished, engraved with a number: 82.Pamela’s age? A countdown? A code?Damien circled the perimeter. “No surveillance. No footprints. They scrubbed everything clean. He wanted us to find this.”James slipped the bullet back into the box and handed it to Victor. “Send it to forensics. I want every trace of print, chemical, or toolmark pulled from that casing.”Victor nodded, already on his comms.Damien tilted his head. “You think this is a threat to Pamela?”James didn’t answer immediately. Then, grimly, “No. I think it’s a threat to me. A reminder that he can reach anyone I care about.”James’s Estate – Later That MorningPamela sat curled on the edge of the sofa, watching the fire crackle in the hearth. Her hair was still damp, her robe exchanged for one of James’s oversized shirts.He steppe
Chapter 106
The Trap TightensThe next morning, Emily stood by the window of her safehouse, coffee untouched in her hands. She hadn’t slept. The silence of the apartment was suffocating, each creak and shadow pulling her nerves tighter.She flinched when her phone buzzed.Unknown Number: You should’ve stayed on campus.Her hands trembled. A second message appeared—this time, an image. It showed her from behind, standing at that same window, moments ago.Emily dropped the phone.Downstairs, one of the guards caught the alert from the security system. James’s team had swept the apartment, locked down the perimeter, but clearly, someone had gotten close—too close.Maple Group HeadquartersJames’s eyes were bloodshot as he read Emily’s forwarded messages.“She’s supposed to be in a secure location,” he growled.Victor was already coordinating. “I’m pulling the surveillance now. Whoever got that photo had to be within fifty feet. If we’re lucky, they tripped a motion sensor.”Pamela hovered nearby, te
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