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2024-11-13 14:35:52Molly 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 new era,” he said, his tone confident. “I’ll surpass anything Joshua ever accomplished for the economy of Texpanse.”
Calvin’s scowl faded, replaced by a pleased smile. “That’s exactly what we want to hear, Charlie,” he replied, nodding approvingly.
Molly leaned in, eyes glinting with satisfaction.
“We’ve chosen wisely,” she said. “With you, we’ll see real progress. You’re a rare kind of man, Charlie.”
Meanwhile, down south near the border, Joshua stepped out of a police vehicle, Chief Ethan by his side.
They’d arrived at the foot of Tezcatlipoca's Crest, a rugged mountain near the chaotic frontier.
The air felt tense, but the silence was unexpected.
Typically, the region pulsed with bursts of gunfire, activity from smugglers, and the steady thud of helicopters patrolling the border. Yet tonight, it was eerily quiet.
Ethan glanced around, his brow furrowing.
“It’s strange,” he muttered, his hand resting on his holstered weapon. “This place is usually anything but calm.”
Joshua nodded, scanning the surroundings thoughtfully.
That night, Ethan lay in bed, feeling quite puzzled in his heart.
He had heard everyone say that this place was chaotic, with the sounds of gunfire and artillery often heard at night.
Yet, the night here was surprisingly quiet, with no sign of danger at all.
By dawn, Joshua was up and ready, stretching as the first rays of sunlight struck the mountain’s peak.
He glanced back at Ethan, who sat nearby, watching him with a blend of respect and worry. “You’re not planning to climb alone, are you?” Ethan asked, his voice tinged with concern.
Joshua’s lips curled in a faint smile. “I work best on my own, Ethan,” he replied, a touch of humor in his eyes.
Ethan shook his head, undeterred. “Well, not today,” he said firmly. “This place is too unpredictable. If you’re going up, I’m coming with you.”
Joshua exhaled but didn’t argue. He picked up his pack, but before heading out, he went into a small shop in the hotel, emerging with a dusty bottle of local whiskey.
Ethan arched a brow, and Joshua just shrugged, flashing a half-smile.
Ethan followed Joshua out of the hotel, only to find that the entire street was eerily quiet as soon as they reached the entrance.
Ethan took a close look and gasped on the spot.
The usually bustling street was filled with all kinds of cars!
And next to each car stood two or three people dressed in formal attire, standing straight.
Everyone was dressed in suits, with ties and sunglasses, making the scene quite intimidating.
Ethan inwardly exclaimed that this was bad; so many people must have come for Joshua!
Ethan and his several police officers instinctively reached for their handguns at their waists.
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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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Later that day, they went back to the police station.Joshua sat in the small, dimly lit cell, his back resting against the cold, concrete wall.The metal bars creaked as the sound of distant footsteps echoed down the hallway.It was a prison, and it was meant to break people—but Joshua had long since learned to endure such things.Yet, despite his indifference to the squalid conditions, there was one person who refused to leave him in peace.Ethan stood just outside, his face a mask of frustration."I can't leave you here like this," Ethan said firmly, gripping the bars of the cell.His voice carried a mix of respect and guilt. "Not after all you’ve done for us."Joshua raised a hand, his expression calm. "This is fine," he replied, his tone steady. " I don’t need anything special."One of Ethan’s subordinates, an overzealous officer with little understanding of the situation, approached and try to lock Joshua’s cell.Ethan caught sight of it and exploded in anger."What do you think
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"You've just settled here, they won't respect your opinion. So, you need to find a way to send Joshua to hell in front of them."Charlie put down the bread and began to ponder.The governor’s words made sense.He currently only had the support of the Anderson family and the governor.To expand his influence, he must first make an example of Joshua!In this way, they would fear him and cooperate with him.Charlie directly asked Calvin, "Do you have any good ideas?"Calvin smiled, "Of course, what you need to do today is exactly this.""Joshua’s name carries weight, but that weight can crush him if you handle it right. A scandal would shake public confidence in him and elevate you as the voice of morality and order."Charlie smirked, "And you think people will believe it? "Calvin leaned forward, his voice low and persuasive."Saints fall harder than sinners. Joshua owns several luxury properties in Texpanse’s most exclusive neighborhood. Rumor has it, he uses them to house his lovers.
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The response left Ethan momentarily stunned, his mind racing.Was he confessing? Mocking the allegations? Or something else entirely?Joshua’s smile widened slightly, though his eyes remained sharp.Joshua didn't take it seriously at all; he had a clear conscience. "As the police chief, you can also go and join in the fun."Joshua finished his breakfast and got up to leave.Ethan stared at him, a mixture of confusion and admiration bubbling within.Whatever Calvin and Charlie were planning, Joshua was clearly prepared—and far from the broken man they imagined him to be.Meanwhile, in a sleek, modern office across town, Charlie Northridge addressed a group of state legislators and influential figures.His tone was confident, almost theatrical, as he stood at the head of the polished conference table.Among the attendees was Robert Harrison, the deputy governor, who sat with a furious expression."Ladies and gentlemen," Charlie began, his voice cutting through the low hum of chatter.
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Charlie didn't knock on the door immediately.He took out his phone and dialed Governor Calvin Dark's video call.Calvin was having an online meeting with governors from other states."Governor, we're ready to take action on our side."Calvin said excitedly, "I'm just in a meeting with other governors, and Joshua's case can be used as a typical example.""Don't hang up the call, broadcast the whole process to us live!"Charlie understood and immediately handed the phone to his subordinate to broadcast the entire process live.In the governor's office.Calvin was having a video conference with other governors online."We were just discussing corruption, and I have a typical case here.""A businessman named Joshua is very close with officials and legislators at all levels, and he spent a billion dollars to buy two villas and kept dozens of mistresses!"The other governors were shocked when they heard this.Dozens?One governor said indignantly, "Such a person cannot be let off."Calvin
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When Mary went to call everyone, Calvin turned to the other governors and said, "This woman must be a maid or some kind of employee. Joshua's lovers must all be upstairs."The other governors nodded in agreement.Soon, nearly a hundred people came down the stairs, mostly middle-aged women, with a few younger ones around thirty, and some were even holding babies.The scene left everyone present somewhat stunned.Why was there not a single young, beautiful woman?"Does Joshua like this type?""Honestly, I’m a bit confused."The crowd behind them began to whisper among themselves.Charlie was also a little puzzled. Could it be that Joshua was really some kind of pervert?But then he thought, if Joshua was a pervert, that would work in his favor; it would give him even more opportunities to tease and mock Joshua in the future!Charlie glanced at the camera again, preparing to perform well in front of the governors."You all saw it—Governor Calvin gave Joshua a chance, but he embezzled and
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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
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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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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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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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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
