While the final melody of the dance was still echoing, Jack moved slowly towards a quieter corner to receive the incoming call. Quietly, he answered the phone, occasionally nodding as he listened. His head lifted slightly, shocked by the news he had just received.Rick stood at the podium with a stern demeanor, looking around the room with a genuine smile. "Thank you, friends," he said in a voice filled with confidence. "I am truly touched to see familiar faces here. Your presence makes this special day even more meaningful."The atmosphere was so warm, the sparkling backdrop added a touch of elegance to the whole show. Rick carefully chose his words, opening his speech with sincere gratitude."But tonight, I don't just want to thank you. I want to share something new. A project that means a lot to the Langham family."The large screen behind him lit up, revealing the big picture of the vision they had planned. This new business promises great potential, and guests' eyes light up at t
Gordon felt his world crumbling, his every claim clashing with the overwhelming evidence. He shouted loudly, his voice shrill in the luxurious room. "This is impossible! That's not me on that screen! Something's wrong!"But his efforts were in vain. The sharp and silent gazes from the guests were like spears that pierced his heart. They couldn't forget what they had just witnessed.Ashley deftly took out her cell phone and called the police. "There's an emergency. I need to report an important incident at Rick Langham's party. Send help immediately."In no time, the sound of police sirens filled the silence of the night. Officers arrived swiftly and firmly took control of the situation. They arrested Gordon according to legal procedures, not even a single word could stop him.Dylan felt like his chest was being squeezed in a cold iron grip. His breathing was labored as if there wasn't enough air in the room that suddenly felt narrower. His heartbeat echoed in his ears as if trying to
That night, Jack drives Ashley home after Rick Langham's party. The night air provided a touch of refreshing coolness, while the scent of flowers filled their noses, creating the perfect backdrop for serious conversation.As the car's wheels rolled through the somewhat deserted road, the vehicle's interior offered a warm atmosphere that hugged them close. Ashley couldn't help but be amazed, her voice filled with admiration, "I'm actually surprised how quickly you were able to come up with such great evidence, Jack."Jack smiled humbly, his eyes fixed on the road that stretched ahead. "The detective I hired was indeed a very skilled professional. He told me about the CCTV in the building next door, an old mall that was almost bankrupt. It turned out that, even though the building was almost forgotten, the surveillance cameras were still working. The management agreed to give me the footage in exchange for money. The detective also didn't hesitate to charge his fair share. And I, of cou
The restaurant exudes a warm and bright atmosphere. The candlelight reflected off the walls, creating soothing shadows around them. Madeline sat with dignity at the corner of the table, her face bathed in the dim light. Her long hair fell gently, giving off an undeniable elegant charm.When Jack approached, a gentle smile colored Madeline's face. "Good evening, Jack. I hope the trip here wasn't too much trouble."Jack responded kindly, his smile shining. "No problem, Doctor Houston. I even arrived early, but you were quicker.""Just call me Madeline," said Madeline.“Sure, Madeline. I hope tonight there will be clarity about my condition," answered Jack.They sat down at the prepared table, each taking note of the tension filling the room. Madeline carefully placed the results of blood tests and genetic screening between them. The papers contain pieces of the puzzle of Jack's life which has been mysterious."The results do show some abnormalities," said Madeline in a steady voice. Alt
Jack experienced emotional turmoil that was difficult to express. On the one hand, he was happy to see Ashley happy with Brandon, but on the other hand, his jealousy burned inside. For a moment, he wished he could do more, but he knew he had to limit himself.After dinner, the sky had turned into the color of deep night. They all stood up to go their separate ways, and Brandon offered to take Ashley home.Jack swallowed in discomfort. He forced a smile and bid them farewell. "Bye, Ashley. Brandon, drive safe."When Brandon's car pulled away, Jack froze for a moment. He felt helpless, not knowing how to deal with his complicated feelings. When they left, he froze in place, trying to calm himself.Finally, Jack returned to his mansion with a shaken heart. The sparkling light that usually filled the room, this time felt like a heavy burden. He reflected on everything that had happened today, trying to find a way to calm the wave of emotions he had never experienced before. ***Meanwhile
The next day, Jack stepped into his office with his thoughts racing. The room, which was usually a place of concentration and busyness, was now filled with the turmoil of his own thoughts. He tried tenaciously to maintain his focus, even though the shadow of last night's events still surrounded him like a fog that didn't want to move away.Ashley tried to approach Jack with caution, smelling the tense atmosphere. However, Jack suddenly chose to keep his distance. His serious expression and measured steps made Ashley feel confused and a little depressed. Did he do something wrong?"Jack," Ashley called softly, trying to express her confusion, "did I do something wrong?"Jack turned to her, his eyes trying to convey that Ashley had done nothing wrong. "No, Ashley. You did nothing wrong," he answered in a soft voice, trying to reassure Ashley.Ashley was relieved to hear that, although there was still uneasy uncertainty in her eyes. She wanted to ask further, trying to understand what co
The sky above Lumina City was vast, but in Jack's heart, a storm of emotions was rolling around. Every step towards the police station felt heavy, accompanied by mounting pressure in his chest. When he stepped into the police station, he tried to suppress the tension that filled the room."My CCTV evidence is authentic," said Jack in a steady voice, his eyes staring intently at the officer behind the desk. "I didn't edit anything. I need justice here."The police officer, a middle-aged man with a serious expression, replied firmly, "Sorry, Mr. Ashworth, the Gordon Hawthorne case has been closed. There is not enough evidence to detain him."When Jack talks to the police, every word he utters sounds trembling with annoyance and disbelief. "Impossible. I guarantee you, that the CCTV evidence is genuine. I didn't do anything with the footage. You have to look further!" he exclaimed in a voice that sounded so steady.The police officer, a dark brown-haired man with a serious face, maintain
Brandon listened to Jack's story seriously. "Jack, this is something extraordinary. I will check my father's old files. As we know, he had a cooperative relationship with the Harrison family. Who knows, maybe there are traces that can help us uncover the truth."Jack looked at Brandon sharply. "But Brandon, I beg you, don't tell Rick about what I told you earlier. I feel like this is a secret that I don’t want too many people know."Brandon nodded in understanding. "Sure, Jack. I won't tell my father. I promise I'll handle this carefully."After Brandon left, the atmosphere in the room was silent. Ashley entered the room with a gentle smile, carrying a cup of coffee. "Do you need this, Jack?"Jack woke up from his reverie. "Oh, thank you, Ashley." He accepted the cup graciously.As Ashley stood nearby, Jack couldn't help but think about Brandon and Ashley's dinner yesterday. Jealousy enveloped him again. However, with a clear head, Jack realized that Brandon was a good guy, and Ashley
As the smoke began to dissipate, revealing the chaos of the decimated lab, Jack's enhanced vision honed in on Patrick, a formidable figure even in his wounded state. Blood trickled down Patrick's forehead, mixing with the grim determination and seething anger in his eyes. His breath came in ragged gasps, a testament to the intensity of their struggle."You think you can defeat me like this?" Patrick's voice reverberated through the chamber, his words dripping with contempt as he advanced towards Jack. "I won't let you win, Jack!"With a sudden burst of speed, Patrick lunged forward, his armored form hurtling towards Jack with frightening velocity. Jack barely had time to react, his instincts kicking in as he braced himself for the impact.The clash was thunderous, the force of Patrick's charge slamming into Jack like a battering ram. They grappled fiercely, each trying to gain the upper hand in the brutal melee. Jack's muscles strained against the weight of Patrick's armor, his mind r
Jack's situation was dire. He lay on the cold floor, pain radiating through his body, Ashley's bloodied form just out of reach. His vision blurred and darkened at the edges, but he wasn't ready to give up. He knew he had one last trick up his sleeve.With a barely noticeable movement, he activated the communication implant Jill had embedded in his arm. It was a last-resort device, meant for emergencies only. Jack whispered urgently, his voice barely a breath, "Jill, now!"Even though it looked like he was talking to himself, he knew Jill was listening. His eyes briefly met Patrick's smug gaze before he summoned all his remaining strength. With a sudden, almost inhuman burst of energy, Jack leaped high into the air, his body propelled by the advanced tech Jill had provided.He soared upwards, smashing through the ceiling and creating a gaping hole. Dust and debris rained down as the astonished guards and Patrick stared up, their expressions a mix of shock and disbelief. The room fell s
Patrick, sensing a slight tremor of control slipping from his grasp, attempted to regain his dominance with a sneer. "You think you're clever, don't you, Jack?" he jeered, his voice echoing off the cold, stone walls of the lair. "But you're just bluffing. We both know what happened the last time you tried to fight alone. You lost, and you lost badly. Look around you. My men guard every corner of this place with the highest vigilance. There's no help coming from Jill or anyone else. You think you can fool me? I anticipated your move, and I've made sure it won't happen."Jack's jaw tightened, his eyes narrowing as he fixed Patrick with a steely glare. "You talk too much, Patrick," he retorted, a smirk playing at the corners of his lips. His confidence was unwavering, a stark contrast to the villain's bluster.Without another word, Jack launched himself into action with a burst of explosive energy. His movements were a blur, honed by years of training and battle-hardened experience. He b
As Jack's cries of anguish reverberated through the glass chamber, something within him snapped. A surge of adrenaline and sheer willpower coursed through his veins. His eyes, still wet with tears, hardened with a new determination. He strained against the metal restraints with every ounce of strength he possessed, the cords of his muscles standing out in stark relief against his skin.The glass walls seemed to close in on him, but Jack refused to accept defeat. With a roar of pure rage, he wrenched his arm free from one of the metal bindings, the steel groaning under the force of his fury. The other restraints seemed to tighten in response, but Jack was beyond pain now. He tore at the remaining bonds, his breath coming in ragged gasps.The guards outside the chamber stared in shock, their initial disbelief giving way to alarm. The sight of Jack breaking free sent a wave of panic through them."What's happening?" one of the guards shouted, his voice tinged with fear.Patrick's smug ex
Jack watched intently as the guards began to unfasten the restraints binding Ashley to the chair. Every movement seemed to drag in slow motion, his heart hammering in his chest. Despite her weakened state, Ashley managed to shake her head weakly, her voice a mere whisper, carrying the weight of her desperation. "No, Jack," she pleaded, her eyes wide and glistening with tears. "Please, just go. Leave me."Jack’s determination was unshakeable. He shook his head firmly, his jaw set in a hard line. "Ashley, you have to go now," he insisted, his voice steady and resolute, cutting through the tense atmosphere like a blade. He knew there was no other option if she were to have any chance at freedom.Ashley remained in the iron grip of the guards, her strength all but spent. Her eyes, though filled with despair, still bore into Jack’s with a silent plea, a plea he could not heed. She understood the depth of his resolve but felt the crushing weight of helplessness. Her body slumped slightly as
As Jack was escorted further into the heart of The Golden Apple's new stronghold, the dimly lit corridors seemed to close in around him, suffocating him with their oppressive atmosphere. The guards flanked him on either side, their eyes boring into him with a mixture of suspicion and contempt.Patrick stood at the end of the hallway, his presence commanding and his demeanor oozing with arrogance. His arms were crossed over his chest, and a smug smirk played at the corners of his lips as Jack was brought before him."Well, well, if it isn't our obedient little errand boy," Patrick sneered, his voice laced with disdain as he regarded Jack. "Coming here unarmed, all for the sake of the traitor who betrayed you. How noble of you, Jack."Jack's fists clenched at his sides, his nails digging into his palms as he struggled to contain his rising anger. He knew Patrick was trying to provoke him, but he refused to take the bait. Instead, he focused on the urgency of the situation at hand."Wher
As Ashley teetered on the brink of consciousness, her senses dulled by the relentless onslaught of pain and exhaustion, she felt as though she were adrift in a sea of torment. Every breath was a struggle, each heartbeat a painful reminder of the ordeal she had endured. Her body felt heavy, weighed down by the bruises that marred her skin and the ache that permeated every fiber of her being.The dim light in the room seemed to flicker and dance before her eyes, casting eerie shadows that danced across the walls like specters of her own despair. The air was thick with the scent of sweat and blood, mingling with the metallic tang of fear that clung to her like a suffocating shroud.The henchman of Patrick's approached with an air of calculated menace, his footsteps echoing ominously in the dimly lit room. Ashley strained to lift her head, her muscles protesting against the effort as she braced herself for whatever news he bore.With a glance over his shoulder to ensure they were alone, t
Jack's heart skipped a beat as his phone vibrated, signaling an incoming message. With a sense of urgency, he glanced at the screen, his eyes widening in shock at the sight before him. It was a video, sent from an unknown number, and as Jack tapped to play it, his blood ran cold.The video opened to a chilling scene. A dimly lit room filled the screen, casting long shadows that danced across the walls. In the center of the frame sat a wooden chair, its surface worn and weathered, and bound to it was Ashley. Her hands were tied behind her back, and her eyes were filled with a mixture of fear and defiance.“Ashley?” Jack breathed, his voice barely a whisper as he struggled to comprehend the gravity of the situation.“What? What happened?” Jill's voice crackled with concern, her eyes widening as she leaned in closer to see the screen of Jack's phone.For a moment, Jack's mind reeled in disbelief. It took several seconds for the reality of the situation to sink in—that the woman in the vi
The soft hum of machinery filled the air as Jack slowly emerged from his slumber, the gentle rhythm of Jill's movements resonating in the laboratory. Blinking away the remnants of sleep, he turned his gaze towards Jill, who was already engrossed in her work, her movements fluid and purposeful."Rise and shine, sleepyhead. It's time for you to join the land of the living," Jill greeted him with a playful smirk, her eyes sparkling with determination. "I need your help with some brainstorming."Jack yawned and stretched, feeling the weight of the impending tasks settling upon him like a heavy cloak. "What's the plan?" he asked, his voice still tinged with drowsiness as he sat up and gave Jill his full attention.Jill's eyes gleamed with determination as she launched into an explanation of the necessity for a tracker device that could evade detection by their adversaries. "Jack, we need a failsafe in case things go south. We can't risk you getting caught or lost in the chaos," she began,