As the conference came to a close, Derrick and Tom boarded a flight back to the U.S., the weight of their conversation with Carlos still fresh in their minds. The potential deal had given Derrick a newfound sense of optimism, but he knew the real test would be in the demonstration of his technology.Upon their return, Derrick threw himself into the preparations for the demo, working around the clock to ensure that everything was flawless. He knew that Carlos’s decision could make or break his company’s future, and he wasn’t about to leave anything to chance.Finally, the day of the demo arrived, and Derrick found himself pacing nervously in the factory, his hands fidgeting at his sides. He glanced over at Tom, who gave him an encouraging nod, and then he turned his attention back to the door as it swung open, revealing Carlos and his team.“Mr. Rodriguez,” Derrick greeted, his voice steady despite his nerves. “Thank you for taking the time to come and see our facility.”Carlos’s expre
Derrick considered the suggestion for a moment, his fingers drumming against the desk. “You’re right,” he said, his expression thoughtful. “Julie’s the perfect choice. She’s observant, she’s discreet, and she has no ties to the Baxters.”Derrick nodded, his mind already turning over the possibilities. “That’s right,” he said, his voice gaining conviction. “We can use the survey as a cover. Tell Julie to keep her ears open while she’s over there. If the Baxters have been snooping around, someone will have noticed something.”Tom raised an eyebrow, a hint of admiration in his gaze. “I like it,” he said. “Julie could be our secret weapon.”Derrick’s eyes gleamed with satisfaction as the plan took shape in his mind. “We’ll need to give Julie some backup,” he said, his voice thoughtful. “Someone to handle any tech issues or logistics while she’s on the ground. And someone who can handle themselves if things get messy.”Tom nodded, his gaze darkening as he considered the potential dangers.
In an instant, the bar exploded into chaos. Glass shattered as the Baxter man opened fire, patrons screaming and diving for cover. Julie ducked behind a pool table, her heart hammering in her chest as bullets whizzed past her head.She knew she couldn’t stay there. She had to make a move.Mustering all of her courage, she bolted from behind the pool table, firing back at the Baxter man.He dodged to the side, taking cover behind a row of stools.The bar erupted in a cacophony of gunfire and shouting, the air thick with the smell of gunpowder and fear.Julie kept moving, her eyes darting around the room as she searched for an escape route. She saw a door leading to the back alley and sprinted toward it.Behind her, the Baxter man emerged from cover, firing wildly in her direction.Julie dove through the door, hitting the ground hard as the bar emptied into the alley behind her.Outside, the alley was narrow and cramped, cluttered with dumpsters and crates. Julie scrambled to her feet,
Derrick sat in his office, idly shuffling through paperwork when the phone on his desk rang. He picked it up, expecting a client or colleague, but instead heard his secretary’s voice, sounding a bit flustered: “Mr. Derrick? There’s someone here to see you…a Miss Tiffany, but she doesn’t have an appointment.”Derrick frowned, puzzled. He wasn’t expecting any visitors. However, the name Tiffany caught his attention. “Tiffany?“I see. Let her in,” Derrick responded. He wasn’t quite sure what to make of the situation, but he knew one thing: Tiffany was no ordinary visitor. She was Ruby’s best friend.A few moments later, the door opened, and there she stood. Tiffany was dressed in a tailored blazer and skirt, her long dark hair styled to perfection. She entered the room with the confidence of someone who knew exactly what she wanted. “Hello, Derrick.”The two exchanged pleasantries, each carefully considering the other’s words and body language. “It’s been a while, hasn’t it, Derrick?” Tif
“You’re going to reveal Ruby’s true nature to Michael,” Derrick said, his voice like steel. “Tell him about how she used you to keep tabs on him, how she’s been playing him for a fool. Make him see that she’s not the sweet, innocent girl he thought she was.”Tiffany nodded. “And then?”“Then,” Derrick said, his eyes narrowing. “You pressure him to cut ties with her completely. No forgiveness, no second chances.“But that’s not all,” Derrick went on. “I want you to keep feeding Ruby false information. I want you to tell her that everything is going according to plan, that Michael is falling right into her trap. But really, you’re just leading her into a trap of her own.”“What kind of trap?” Tiffany asked, her curiosity piqued.“A trap that will expose her for the cruel, heartless person she is,” Derrick said, his lips curling into a cold smile.Derrick continued by telling her to approach Ruby and try discussing with her, she should make Ruby spill out all her secret and evil deeds the
With each promise of revenge, Tiffany’s mind conjured images of Ruby, her pristine image crumbling into a thousand pieces. She imagined the look of shock and betrayal on Ruby’s face as the recordings were revealed, as her carefully constructed web of lies unraveled before her very eyes.“And then,” Ruby whispered, her voice low and almost breathless, “when he’s completely broken, I’ll turn my sights on you, Tiffany.Tiffany felt her heart skip a beat, but she forced herself to stay calm. “Me?”Ruby’s voice hardened, the edges sharpening like a knife. “Yes, you. You were supposed to be my friend, my confidante. But where were you when Derrick turned his back on me? When he tried to humiliate me?”Tiffany’s stomach churned as she fought to keep her emotions hidden. “I was…I was dealing with my own problems, Ruby. I’m sorry.”Ruby scoffed. “Sorry? You think sorry is enough?”“I…”“I suppose you are forgiven,” Ruby said, her voice softening slightly. “But don’t think for a moment that I’ve
”Indeed,” Derrick said, a smile spreading across his face. “The time for retribution is upon us. Make sure you’re at the party tonight. I have a few surprises planned for our dear Ruby.As the sun began to set, Michael stepped out of his home, a storm of vengeance brewing inside him. Dressed in his finest clothes, he made his way towards the venue, his gaze fixed and resolute.The streets were lit up with neon signs and flashing lights, the nightlife of the city buzzing around him. But Michael saw only darkness, the shadows of his past and the pain they had caused him looming large in his mind.When he arrived at the party, the doors swung open to reveal a sea of people, laughing and dancing, oblivious to the drama that was about to unfold.Michael pushed his way through the crowd, his eyes searching for Ruby. He spotted her at the center of the room, surrounded by a gaggle of her admirers, basking in their praise and attention.He approached her, his strides confident and purposeful.
The following day, Derrick wasted no time in filing charges against Ruby for verbal abuse, attempted murder, and bribery and corruption. Armed with the damning evidence from Tiffany's recordings, he had a strong case against her, and he was determined to see her brought to justice.Derrick marched into the courthouse, his jaw set and his eyes filled with determination. He presented the recordings and the witness testimony from the party, laying out his case with unwavering confidence.The courtroom was silent as the judge reviewed the evidence, his face impassive. Finally, he looked up, his expression grave.“Based on the evidence presented," the judge intoned, his voice echoing through the courtroom, "the court finds Ruby guilty of verbal abuse, attempted murder, and bribery and corruption. For these crimes, the court sentences Ruby Sinclair to 70 years in federal prison without the possibility of parole."The room erupted into a cacophony of chatter and gasps, but Derrick remained s