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2024-11-27 17:03:32"Joshua Smith," the officer said, his tone clipped. "You're under arrest."
Joshua barely blinked.
"On what grounds?" His voice remained steady, betraying no hint of alarm.
He leaned back in his chair, folding his arms across his chest, his eyes sharp.
The other officer, shorter but no less imposing, held up a sheet of paper.
"We’ve received an anonymous tip that you're involved in multiple crimes—bribery, embezzlement, theft, robbery, and..."
He paused, his voice lowering.
"Even murder."
The accusations hung in the air, as thick and heavy as storm clouds.
Joshua raised an eyebrow, incredulity washing over him.
"Murder? Bribery? Theft?"
His lips curled into a faint smile, amused by the absurdity of it all.
"I think you have the wrong person."
The officers didn’t flinch.
They moved toward him, ready to place handcuffs around his wrists.
But before they could lay a hand on him, a voice, icy and composed, sliced through the room.
"No, officers. You have the right person."
Joshua froze at the sound.
He knew that voice all too well.
Turning his head, he saw his wife, Molly Anderson, standing in the doorway.
Her posture was elegant, her expression detached, and her eyes—once warm and full of admiration for him—were now cold and distant.
She held a slim folder in her hands.
"Molly?"
Joshua said, his voice betraying a hint of disbelief.
"What is this all about?"
Molly stepped further into the room, her gaze never leaving his.
With deliberate calm, she placed the folder on his desk and opened it, revealing the papers inside.
It was a divorce agreement.
"I filed the report," she said, her voice devoid of emotion.
"It was me."
Joshua, the man who had taken the Anderson family business and transformed it into an empire, stared at the woman who had stood by his side, now betraying him with such casual coldness.
Molly Anderson, the daughter of his former mentor and teacher, the patriarch of the Anderson family, now held the keys to his downfall.
"You're joking," Joshua said, though there was no humor in his voice.
His mind raced, searching for an explanation.
"After everything I’ve done for this family?"
Molly’s lips barely twitched.
"You’ve done a lot, yes," she acknowledged, glancing briefly at the documents scattered across his desk.
"You took over the family after my father died. You stabilized it when no one else could. But don’t think for a second that makes you indispensable."
The officers stood silently, watching the scene unfold.
They were clearly caught in something far more complex than a mere arrest.
Molly continued.
"The Anderson family has become one of the wealthiest and most powerful in the South. We’ve thrived," she said, her tone almost clinical.
"But now, we don’t need you anymore. There’s an opportunity for us to secure an alliance with a powerful northern family, and you…"
She gave a small shrug.
"You’re in the way."
Joshua’s mind reeled.
He had heard rumors about the Andersons aligning with northern interests—old money, deep political connections in the capital—but he had never imagined they would discard him so easily.
He glanced at the divorce papers, already prepared, the signature line glaring back at him.
All of this was planned, calculated, executed with ruthless precision.
The Andersons were going to claim his achievements as their own, erase his presence from their narrative, and move forward without him.
And Molly, the woman he had once trusted with everything, was leading the charge.
Joshua’s gaze sharpened.
His voice was low, filled with a dangerous edge.
"You think you can handle the sharks waiting to tear this company apart? Do you really believe you’re capable?"
Molly tilted her head slightly, unbothered by his words.
"I don’t need to. We have other… options."
Her indifference was like a knife twisting in his chest.
But Joshua wasn’t about to go down quietly.
With a slow, deliberate motion, he reached for the pen on his desk and, without breaking eye contact with Molly, signed the divorce papers.
"There," he said, tossing the pen aside.
"Now you have what you want."
The officers stepped forward, preparing to cuff him, but Joshua stood up, his expression unreadable, his posture still commanding despite the situation.
As they grabbed his wrists, he leaned in slightly toward Molly, his voice low enough that only she could hear.
"Just remember," he whispered, "the one who built this empire can just as easily destroy it."
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Factions within the company were restless, each vying for power in the absence of Joshua.He was the only one keeping them in check.The whispers of betrayal and ambition crept through the halls like a storm on the horizon.Molly leaned against her desk, a mocking smile on her lips."You think you’re something special, don’t you?"She laughed, her voice dripping with sarcasm."You’re just a nobody, a lost orphan. If it weren’t for the Anderson family, you’d be begging for scraps."Joshua’s eyes narrowed at her words.He knew she was trying to get under his skin, but he had learned from her father, the patriarch of the Anderson family.Molly rolled her eyes, unfazed."We’re about to tie the knot with the Northridge family. Charlie is everything you’re not. He’ll make this family strong, unlike you."Her laughter echoed, cutting through the silence of the office."And when that happens, you’ll see just how irrelevant you really are."Her words stung, but Joshua remained composed.He had
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The two officers stood facing each other, eyes locked in a silent, heated exchange.They couldn’t believe it—how dare this young criminal give them orders?"You think you can just summon the Chief whenever you feel like it?"Officer Harris scoffed, his voice low, laced with irritation.Joshua didn’t flinch.His gaze remained sharp, almost amused."If you two don’t want to go get him, I can always call him myself," he said, his tone calm and unbothered."But if I do, things might get... complicated."The words hung in the air, thick with subtle menace.The officers stiffened.A chill ran down their spines as they processed the weight of his threat.Before they could react, Joshua casually reached for his phone, his finger hovering over the dial.Panic flickered in their eyes."No, no! Wait!"Officer Harris blurted, his voice cracking slightly."We’ll go get him. We’ll get him now."Without a second thought, both officers turned and hurried out the door, their feet practically stumbling
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“I will go to the Tezcatlipoca’s Crest of the Serengeti Sierras.”Ethan’s eyes narrowed as he processed Joshua’s words."Tezcatlipoca’s Crest?" he repeated, his voice carrying a hint of disbelief.The Serengeti Sierras were nothing short of hostile territory, a land of rugged cliffs and untamed terrain on the southern border, infamous for its smuggling and drug cartels.For anyone to willingly head there seemed reckless—borderline suicidal.“Why would you want to go somewhere that dangerous?”Ethan couldn’t hide his unease.Joshua looked at him, eyes cold and unyielding.“I don’t have to explain myself to you, Ethan.”Joshua’s voice was level, calm.“I’m only telling you because, technically, I’m still under investigation.”There was an unmistakable edge in the words, a reminder that this was a courtesy, not a request.Ethan’s throat tightened.“Fine. Then I’m coming with you.”His tone was resolute.“You can’t head into the Sierras alone—it’s too dangerous.”Joshua didn’t respond.Wi
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Molly Anderson settled into the leather-lined booth in the private dining room, her manicured fingers tracing the rim of her wine glass.The room exuded luxury, with crystal chandeliers casting a warm glow over pristine white linens and dishes prepared with rare ingredients flown in from across the globe.She’d spared no expense for tonight’s dinner, pouring close to a hundred thousand dollars into wine and cuisine that screamed exclusivity.When Molly and Charlie stepped in, Governor Calvin Dark was already waiting, his face breaking into a smile as he saw Charlie."Charlie! Finally, the Anderson empire is in good hands," Calvin said, his excitement evident.As they settled into their seats, the restaurant manager approached, welcoming both Molly and Calvin with a bright smile.He greeted them with practiced politeness but gave barely a nod to Charlie. The slight stung, but Charlie brushed it off, focusing on the promising evening ahead.The manager’s gaze lingered on Molly, his expr
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Molly lifted her chin, a proud smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.“Charlie isn’t just anyone,” she declared.“He’s from the Northridge family—one of the finest names in the capital. Graduated from the top business school in the country. He’s exactly who should be leading the Anderson family business.”Across the table, Calvin Dark’s expression soured. He slammed a hand down, the impact rattling the wine glasses and silverware. “Robert, this is outrageous,” he hissed. “You dare to threaten me?”But Robert didn’t back down. His eyes narrowed, a fierce intensity burning in them as he shot back, “I’m not threatening you. I’m standing up for the truth, for the man who built this state’s security!”His voice echoed, ringing with conviction before he turned and strode out of the room, leaving Calvin fuming.The tense silence finally broke as Charlie turned to Molly and Calvin, his face set with steely determination.“Don’t worry about Robert. I will lead Anderson Enterprises into a n
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Ethan and his team stared at the crowd around them, rooted to the spot.On every side, people packed the streets, eyes lifted with reverence as a single name thundered from their lips."Welcome, Joshua!"The chant echoed, a wall of sound, reverberating off every surface, drowning out the city’s usual chaos.Ethan’s grip tightened on his weapon as he exchanged glances with his men, each of them wide-eyed, shaken.These people weren’t here to challenge them—they were here for Joshua.But how had he done it? How had he, amidst all this turmoil, gathered a crowd so vast and loyal?The man in question, Joshua, stood in the center of it all with serene calm.His eyes swept across the throng before he took a single step forward, his voice low but cutting through the noise."Jaguar gave me his word," Joshua stated, his tone firm but level. "He said he wouldn’t cross the border. Has he gone back on that?"A figure moved within the crowd, breaking through with quick, deliberate steps.A man in
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The suited man stood at the edge of the mountain plateau, his sharp silhouette cutting against the overcast sky."Because this place is sacred." His voice carried an almost reverent tone, the words heavy with meaning."Down there—" he gestured vaguely toward the unseen valley below "—men spill blood like water. But up here? No one dares disturb the mountain’s peace."Ethan shivered, though it wasn’t from the cold.Even from a distance, Joshua seemed untouchable, a monument of quiet strength against the raging storm.From beneath his coat, he produced a small bottle of whiskey he just bought, its amber contents gleaming briefly before he poured a generous measure onto the grave.The liquid darkened the snow in front of the marker, steam curling up like a fleeting spirit.“Teacher,” Joshua murmured, his voice low but firm, carried away almost instantly by the howling wind.The name on the gravestone was Jack Anderson, a name that had once commanded respect and fear alike.Jack wasn’t ju
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Governor Calvin paced nervously in his office, his earlier excitement now replaced by a growing sense of dread. The federal government had taken the bait—Joshua's alleged corruption was about to make headlines. He could already imagine the accolades rolling in, the recognition for exposing a dangerous criminal. It was the break he'd been waiting for, the stepping stone to greater power.But then, just as everything seemed to be falling into place, his phone rang. Charlie's name flashed on the screen.“Charlie!” Calvin answered quickly, his voice light, expecting congratulations or, at the very least, an update that would confirm his suspicions. But the tone in Charlie’s voice was far from reassuring.“Calvin…” Charlie’s voice came through, strained and clipped. “The plan’s gone wrong. There’s no money. No bribes. It’s all thank-you letters.”Calvin froze, the words crashing into him like a freight train. “What? What do you mean, thank-you letters?”Charlie exhaled sharply. “The boxes,
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Chapter 21
The room buzzed with anxiety. The air was thick with uncertainty, and Charlie could feel the pressure mounting on him. The prosecutors—his team—were no longer sure of what they were doing. What had started as a simple investigation into a corrupt businessman had spiraled into something much more confusing. Now, they were questioning everything.Joshua, the man they had believed was a criminal, was suddenly an enigma. The letters. The donations. The humanitarian efforts. None of it made sense. How could someone who had built schools, fed the hungry, and helped entire communities be the villain they had painted him to be?“I can’t believe this…” Mark muttered, flipping through yet another letter. “He’s given millions. How is this possible?”“We must have missed something,” Linda added, her voice tight with panic. “This… this doesn’t make sense.”Charlie stood at the head of the table, feeling the weight of their questioning stares. Their fear was palpable. It echoed in the silence that
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Charlie opened the envelope with a practiced flick, expecting the usual rush of victory that came with uncovering the truth. But instead, as the paper unfolded in his hands, a strange tension tightened around his chest. It wasn’t the evidence he had hoped for.It was a letter.The handwriting was childish, awkward, but the sentiment was clear. A thank-you note from a young boy, expressing gratitude to Joshua for building a new school, providing meals, and donating clothes. The boy spoke of how Joshua had changed his life. The words were simple but unsettling. This wasn’t the damning financial information he had expected. This was something far more irritating.Charlie stared at the letter, a sharp irritation building behind his eyes. He tossed it aside, more out of frustration than surprise. But then he picked up another envelope. The seal cracked open with a satisfying sound, but as soon as he read the contents, his stomach churned.Another letter. Another thank-you. This time, from
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The villa stood eerily silent, its vast rooms stripped bare of everything—furniture, decor, even the smallest of personal belongings. The only things left behind were the countless luggage cases, piled high like a sea of mystery. Every corner of the room seemed swallowed up by them.Charlie stared at the mountain of suitcases, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "This is it," he muttered to himself, his voice low and urgent. "This has to be it."The prosecutor beside him, a tall man with a hard face, shifted uneasily. "Do you think... do you think it’s all cash?" he asked, his tone betraying a hint of nervousness.Charlie nodded. "Hundred-dollar bills, stacks and stacks of them. We’ve finally got him. This is the smoking gun we’ve been looking for."The others in the room, including several high-ranking officials, murmured their agreement.A sense of triumph hung in the air. Charlie quickly took out his phone and dialed a number. "Get the bank team here, now. We need to count this. Eve
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Chapter 18
Charlie stood in the office, staring at the bank statements in disbelief. His mind raced, but the numbers didn’t add up. How had Joshua managed to give away so much money—year after year—without anyone noticing? It was impossible to reconcile with the image of the man they’d always known. The amount of money he was sending to these families, the support for all these widows, it didn’t fit into the clean narrative Charlie had built around Joshua’s financial dealings.“This is...” Charlie trailed off, a sense of unease creeping into his voice. “This is more than just charity. Something’s wrong here.”Calvin, who had been sitting in a chair across from him, gripped the edge of the desk. He had always been a man of calculated moves, and this revelation shook him to his core. “I don’t get it. How could he afford this? How could he give away this much and not raise suspicions?”Charlie’s mind worked quickly, sifting through the pieces of the puzzle. The answer seemed clear now—Joshua had be
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Chapter 17
Victor O’Brien stood by the window of the small prayer hall, staring out at the sun-drenched horizon. His mind was a storm of conflicting thoughts. The news of Joshua’s arrest had hit him like a slap in the face. The young man had left in such a hurry, but the words had stuck in Victor’s mind, gnawing at him.Joshua, the one man who had forced him to abandon his old, profitable ways—his illicit businesses, the quick money from the border's shadows. With Joshua gone, the path to returning to those practices had just opened up. In the harsh world of Texpanse, where survival often meant bending or breaking the rules, the temptation to go back to his old ways was strong.But something didn’t sit right.Victor had known Joshua for years. He wasn’t just some political pawn or corrupt officer. The man had genuine influence, and a man like Joshua didn’t just fall without a reason. The arrest could be a setup—a trap to test Joshua’s loyalty, a political game orchestrated by those in power. Vic
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Chapter 16
Charlie felt a cold sweat trickle down his spine as he stood before the grieving women, his knees feeling unsteady under the weight of their collective sorrow. They had protested his every word, their voices rising with anger, confusion, and raw pain. Now, they were crying—some silently, others openly weeping.The child in one of the women’s arms stared at him with wide eyes, as if trying to understand why the man before her had brought such destruction to her world.Charlie opened his mouth to speak but found no words. His throat felt tight, his arrogance and defiance now crumbling before the fierce grief in front of him. He looked at the women, each one clutching the memory of a husband, a brother, a father—each one a living testament to the sacrifices their loved ones had made for this country.And Charlie, in his attempt to destroy Joshua, had brought this upon them.He straightened, trying to regain some semblance of control, but the room was silent. The only sound was the soft,
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Chapter 15
Ethan’s jaw tightened. His gaze was unwavering, filled with disgust.“You call yourself a patriot? What you’re doing is disrespecting the very heroes who died for this country. These women are grieving. They deserve respect, not your baseless accusations.”Charlie stood tall, arms crossed, staring across the room at Ethan with a cold, dismissive expression.The tension between them was palpable.“You’re making a mistake, Ethan,” Charlie said, his voice laced with arrogance.“I’m not here to ask for permission. Joshua’s actions demand scrutiny. And these women—these so-called ‘widows’—are part of his twisted web.”Charlie sneered, glancing around at the other governors, who were uncomfortably silent.“And what would you have me do, Ethan? Turn a blind eye? These women have been living under Joshua’s protection, enjoying the fruits of his ill-gotten gains. If that means stepping on a few toes to expose the truth, so be it.”Ethan took a step forward, his voice sharp.“This isn’t about e
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Chapter 14
The crowd stood in stunned silence as Mary’s voice rang clear, the photograph in her trembling hand a symbol of a life lost for Texpanse's safety.One by one, the other women stepped forward, their own photos clutched against their chests like shields.Each picture told a story of sacrifice, of husbands who had given everything for the state's prosperity.Charlie shifted uncomfortably, his confidence wavering.The silence from the gathered assembly was deafening.His narrative of "mistresses" crumbled beneath the weight of these solemn truths.“These women are the widows of heroes,” Mary declared, her voice strong despite the emotion in her tone.“Our husbands laid down their lives for this state, and Joshua gave us a home to honor their sacrifice.”Ethan, watching from the sidelines, let out a long, quiet sigh.He had never believed the wild accusations against Joshua, but hearing the full truth deepened his respect.He now understood Joshua’s calm demeanor earlier that morning.He’s