Chapter Twenty Six; The Breakout The slap echoed through the grand hall, silencing the room. Chris reeled from the force of it, his cheek stinging. He slowly turned to see who had struck him. It was his mother-in-law, Eleanor, her face contorted with rage."How dare you, Chris?" Eleanor spat, her voice trembling with fury. "How dare you speak like that in front of everyone when you’re just a useless! Ungrateful excuse of a man.”“You've done nothing but bring us problems since you married Stephany. You have no respect for elders, and you think you have the audacity to speak for her?"Chris met her fiery gaze, his own eyes steady and calm. He bowed his head slightly.“I’m sorry for all the troubles l've caused you and your family," he said quietly, but his voice carried through the hushed room. "The slap you gave me has made us even now since it was delivered in front of everyone, I would no longer be of burden to you and Steph.” Chris saidThe room remained silent as Chris turned
Chapter Twenty-Seven: Change of TideChris was about to leave the venue when his path was blocked by a towering figure. The man was huge, with a menacing presence that instantly commanded attention. It was Darrick, a notorious enforcer in the state, known for his close ties to Mr. Dickson, the mafia lord who ruled the town with an iron fist. Behind Darrick stood a group of tough-looking men, each radiating a similar aura of danger.Darrick's voice boomed through the hall, stopping everyone in their tracks. "No dog goes anywhere!" he bellowed, his eyes scanning the room before landing on Chris.Chris instinctively stepped back, recognizing the threat in front of him.Henry, seizing the moment, shouted, "Darrick! Over here!" He pointed at Chris with a smug expression. "That's the man. I want to finish him right here."The guests exchanged uneasy glances, their whispers filling the air with tension. Henry's association with Darrick was well-known among those familiar with his unsavory
Chapter Twenty Eight: The Mysterious Mr. BrownThe party had only just begun to settle from the chaos of Chris's confrontation with Darrick when the atmosphere was stirred once again by the arrival of a sleek Bentley. Heads turned as the luxurious car came to a halt, and the whispers started anew. Out stepped Mr. Dante, the influential owner of several high-end restaurants, bars, lounges, and hotels. His presence alone commanded respect and curiosity, as it was an unexpected honor for someone of his stature to appear at Grandma Preston's birthday party.Grandma Preston herself was taken aback, her brows furrowing in confusion. She had only met Mr. Dante once and did not expect him to attend her celebration. Guests whispered among themselves, astonished at the level of influence Mrs. Preston seemed to command, yet equally bewildered by his presence.As Mr. Dante made his way through the crowd, his eyes scanned the room with a purpose. “I'm looking for Mr. Brown," he announced, his
Chapter Twenty Nine: A Last GoodbyeThe murmurs about the mysterious Mr. Brown echoed through the hall, but Stephany was only half-listening. Her mind was preoccupied with thoughts of her own certain Mr. Brown, which is Chris. Somehow, amidst the confusion and the revelations, she found herself missing him already. There was an inexplicable pull in her heart, a feeling she couldn’t shake off, after all, they’ve been staying together for over two years, it was inevitable she would miss him. Without thinking, she pulled out her phone and texted him, "Where are you?"A reply came quickly: "At home, packing my things."Her heart sank. Chris was leaving, and she knew that after everything that had happened, their marriage couldn't continue. He had embarrassed her grandmother, and there was no way the family would let them stay together. But despite everything, she couldn't help but feel a pang of regret and longing. "Wait for me there," she texted back, not entirely sure what she in
Chapter Thirty: Descent into DarknessStephany felt an overwhelming heaviness settle over her as she walked, her steps growing sluggish and her vision blurring. A sense of foreboding loomed, but she pushed herself to call Chris, her fingers fumbling over the phone. She managed to dial his number, but before she could say anything, darkness claimed her, and she fainted, her phone slipping back into her bag.On the other end, Chris heard the unsettling sounds through the still-connected call. "Ah yes, finally I’m able to get these two young sisters all to myself," a voice sneered. It was Bradley. Chris’s heart pounded as he realized the danger Stephany and Ella were in. He dropped everything and rushed to the Preston house, recalling the last words he heardZ “I wanted to get one, but it seems I’ll be able to get two lovely sisters after all.” Upon arrival, the gatemen confirmed they had seen Stephany, Ella, and Bradley leaving together. Chris's instincts screamed that something w
Chapter Thirty One; The Stand Off. The Chicago Police Department was known for their quick response and diligence. As soon as Stephany's call came through, the new subordinate almost dismissed it as a mistake. Fortunately, Corner, the seasoned head of the police department, was present. With twenty years of service under his belt, he knew that such calls were often the most serious, potentially signaling that someone was in grave danger but unable to speak. Corner immediately ordered the call to be traced. The team sprang into action, their experience and efficiency shining through. They tracked the phone's location and raced towards the address. Simultaneously, Chris arrived at Bradley's spare house, his heart pounding with fear for Stephany and with determination to save her. He was just about to scale the fence when he heard the commanding voice through the megaphone. "Freeze! Stop and come down or we'll shoot," Corner's authoritative voice boomed through the night.
Chapter Thirty Two: The ProposalThe atmosphere in the Preston’s party hall was electric. After a series of grand gifts from dignitaries and notable guests, it was finally time for Grandma Preston’s son to present his gift. Mr. Charles Preston, Stephany’s father and Eleanor’s husband, had decided to go last, having a special request to accompany his gift.Charles had recently returned from a lengthy business trip to Malaysia, where rumors swirled about a massive profit he had made. His family had welcomed him back with open arms, delighted by his success and the significant sum of money he had brought with him. He had written a check for a hundred million dollars to his family, a gesture to compensate for his prolonged absence and their hardships during his time away.Word of this has traveled fast among the Preston’s, as a result, he was taken at a higher regard.As he stepped forward, the room fell silent, anticipation hanging in the air. Charles pulled out an elegantly designe
Chapter Thirty three: The Exchange The tense air crackled with anticipation as Chris's words hung in the air, offering to exchange himself for the girls. “Why would you stop him, officer? Even if he died, it wouldn’t mean anything,” Charles, fear etched in his face, spoke urgently, his voice shaking. Connor, the head of the police department, stared in disbelief. “What kind of family is this?” he muttered, astonished at their readiness to sacrifice Chris. “But Bradley is a good man. Could there be a misunderstanding?” Eleanor, still clinging to the hope of Bradley becoming her son-in-law, questioned, confusion clouding her features. “No, ma’am,” Connor responded firmly. “The kidnapper has a gun to who I believe is Stephany’s head. But don’t panic, the negotiation team is on their way.” “What better negotiation than letting Chris go and save them? These ladies are from a rich family and have never suffered any hardship. But Chris is otherwise. Let him do one good deed, at least i