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The Return Of The Lame Son In Law. 321; lines inthe sand
Chapter 320: Lines in the Sand The note clutched in Chris’s hand crumpled slightly as he stood on the porch, the cool night air biting against his skin. He stared at the words again—simple but direct. “You should have stayed in your small office job. The Syndicate always collects its debts.”Chris let out a slow breath, his eyes narrowing. Whoever had left the note wanted him rattled, but all it did was strengthen his resolve. He glanced at the dagger pinning it to the door—a cheap intimidation tactic. They were watching. They wanted him to know they were close. Without a word, Chris pulled the dagger free and slid it into his pocket. He folded the note, tucked it inside his jacket, and walked into the house, careful to keep his expression calm. Chris dropped his keys on the kitchen counter and poured himself a glass of water. His muscles were still humming from the trial earlier, a subtle reminder of the power now flowing within him. It wasn’t overwhelming anymore; it was
The Return Of The Lame Son In Law. 322; Into the Lion’s den
Chapter 321: Into the Lion’s Den The address on the note led Chris to an old, abandoned warehouse on the edge of the industrial district. The surrounding area was quiet, with most of the buildings boarded up or crumbling. The air smelled of rust and stale oil, a reminder of the district’s forgotten days of prosperity. Chris parked a few blocks away and approached on foot, keeping to the shadows. The closer he got, the more aware he became of the subtle signs of life. A flicker of movement in the upper windows. The faint crunch of gravel under boots. Hector wasn’t careless—he had guards watching every angle. Chris smirked faintly. “They’ll need more than that.”He stopped near a stack of old shipping containers and took a moment to assess the scene. Two men patrolled the front entrance, both armed with pistols. A third leaned against the side wall, smoking a cigarette and occasionally glancing at his watch. Chris’s fingers twitched, the energy within him stirring eagerly. T
The Return Of The Lame Son In Law. 322: The web of shadows
Chapter 322: The Web of Shadows Chris returned home late that night, the city lights fading behind him as he parked his car down the street from the Preston residence. He took a moment to collect his thoughts, reviewing Hector's confession.The meeting at the mansion was a significant lead, but it was also a potential trap. Walking into the house, Chris made sure to slip inside quietly. Stephany and her family were likely asleep, and the last thing he wanted was for anyone to see the grim determination on his face. Tonight wasn’t the time for explanations or slip-ups. Instead of heading to bed, he went straight to the small storage space in the basement, locking the door behind him. Inside, Chris knelt in the center of the room. With a flick of his wrist, a small, glowing orb of energy appeared in his palm, illuminating the space. This was his sanctuary, a place where he could channel his cultivation abilities without raising suspicion. The energy pulsed in his hands, and
The Return Of The Lame Son In Law. 323; Unraveling the syndicate
Chapter 323: Unraveling the Syndicate The basement was quiet except for the faint hum of energy as Chris meditated. His focus was razor-sharp, the shadows around him responding to his command. The Syndicate had issued their challenge, and he was ready to strike back. Chris’s plan was simple yet dangerous. He would attend their so-called meeting, but not as a pawn in their game. He was going to dismantle the Syndicate from within, leaving them no chance to recover. Two days later, Chris arrived at an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of the city. The building loomed like a monument to decay, its rusted metal doors creaking as Chris pushed them open. Inside, the air was thick with tension. A dozen figures sat around a long table, their faces hidden behind ornate masks representing animals—a lion, a snake, a crow, and others. At the head of the table sat the Syndicate leader, his mask a gleaming black dragon. Chris stood before them, his posture relaxed but his senses on
The Return Of The Lame Son In Law. 324; Shadow in motion
Chapter 324: Shadows in Motion Chris sat in his dimly lit study, the soft glow of his laptop illuminating his face. The files he had extracted from the Syndicate's mountain facility were spread across his desk. They were a treasure trove of information, bank transactions, coded messages, and the names of individuals in powerful positions. Despite the victory, Chris couldn’t shake the feeling that the Syndicate’s downfall had been too easy. Organizations like that didn’t crumble overnight. They regrouped, evolved, and returned stronger. He leaned back in his chair, his mind racing. It was time to decide the next move. The next morning, as Chris went about his usual routine, he received a message on an encrypted line he rarely used. It was from an unknown number: “You’ve made an enemy, but also an ally. Meet me at the old chapel on Birchwood Road. Midnight."Chris stared at the message, weighing his options. The old chapel had long been abandoned, a perfect location for an
The Return Of The Lame Son In Law. 325: A New Threat?
Chapter 325: A New Threat?Chris walked into his study the next morning, feeling the weight of the previous night's events. The Syndicate was weakened, but they were far from defeated. He sat down and opened his encrypted laptop, searching for any updates or intel.As he scrolled through messages, a ping alerted him to a new file. It was from an anonymous sender. Chris opened it cautiously, his eyes narrowing as he read the details. The Syndicate was forming alliances with dangerous rogue groups, planning to strike back harder than before.He leaned back, letting out a slow breath. “They never quit,” he muttered.Chris decided he couldn’t wait for the next attack. If they were regrouping, he needed to hit them first. Using his shadow abilities, he infiltrated one of their smaller hideouts to gather more information.The hideout was nearly empty, with only a few guards patrolling. Chris took them down silently, using shadows to bind and knock them out. Inside, he found documents d
The Return Of The Lame Son In Law. 325;
Chapter 325: A New Threat? Chris walked into his study the next morning, feeling the weight of the previous night's events. The Syndicate was weakened, but they were far from defeated. He sat down and opened his encrypted laptop, searching for any updates or intel. As he scrolled through messages, a ping alerted him to a new file. It was from an anonymous sender. Chris opened it cautiously, his eyes narrowing as he read the details. The Syndicate was forming alliances with dangerous rogue groups, planning to strike back harder than before. He leaned back, letting out a slow breath. “They never quit,” he muttered. Chris decided he couldn’t wait for the next attack. If they were regrouping, he needed to hit them first. Using his shadow abilities, he infiltrated one of their smaller hideouts to gather more information. The hideout was nearly empty, with only a few guards patrolling. Chris took them down silently, using shadows to bind and knock them out. Inside, he found d
The Return Of The Lame Son In Law. 327
Chapter 325: A New Threat? Chris walked into his study the next morning, feeling the weight of the previous night's events. The Syndicate was weakened, but they were far from defeated. He sat down and opened his encrypted laptop, searching for any updates or intel. As he scrolled through messages, a ping alerted him to a new file. It was from an anonymous sender. Chris opened it cautiously, his eyes narrowing as he read the details. The Syndicate was forming alliances with dangerous rogue groups, planning to strike back harder than before. He leaned back, letting out a slow breath. “They never quit,” he muttered. Chris decided he couldn’t wait for the next attack. If they were regrouping, he needed to hit them first. Using his shadow abilities, he infiltrated one of their smaller hideouts to gather more information. The hideout was nearly empty, with only a few guards patrolling. Chris took them down silently, using shadows to bind and knock them out. Inside,
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360; The Breaking Point
Chapter 360: The Breaking Point It’s the next day after Chris presented himself to the world in his full glory, the media has carried the news both far and near and the Preston’s were still in shock of the revelation. The Preston boardroom was unusually quiet that morning. Sunlight filtered through the tall glass windows, casting golden stripes across the dark mahogany table. The chairs were all filled—executives, advisors, partners from subsidiaries. But one seat at the head of the table remained empty. Stephany’s seat. Eleanor sat in her usual place, fingers steepled, a slight crease in her brow. She glanced at her watch again. Still no word. Still no daughter. Still no leadership. It had been two days since the gala. Two days since the world discovered that Chris Brown—the quiet son-in-law they mocked—was actually the president of MTD and the force behind Sterling Heritage. Two days since Stephany had vanished. “She’s taking time to think,” Eleanor said qui
359: Stephany’s Spiral
Chapter 359: Stephany’s Spiral Stephnay stepped our. And Chris followed her. The air outside the ballroom was colder than it should’ve been. Stephany’s heels clicked furiously against the marble as she stormed down the corridor, the silk of her gown swishing violently behind her. Her breath came in shallow bursts, not from exertion, but from the ache building in her chest, from the burn in her throat she couldn’t swallow. Everyone had lied to her. Everyone. Her father… who paraded around like he was the reason for the deal, when he was nothing more than a shadow. Her mother… who, for all her sharpness, had encouraged her to chase a stranger, unaware he was already sleeping in her daughter’s bed. Sandra… her friend, her confidante, who had stood by and said nothing while Stephany wept and doubted and begged. And Chris. Chris. The man she insulted. Defended. Hated. Loved. The man who, it turned out, had been ten steps ahead of her the entire time. She pushed
358; after the lights
Chapter 359: After the Lights The ballroom lights dimmed slowly, the last echoes of applause fading into the glittering hush of evening elegance. The crowd had dispersed into small clusters some lingering around the champagne bar, others whispering in stunned awe near the media walls. The air was thick with disbelief, admiration… and a new respect that hadn’t been there before. Chris Brown stepped off the stage like a man who had just laid his past to rest. His face was composed. His shoulders straight. But inside? A storm raged. He didn’t look for her in the crowd. He didn’t need to. He felt her. Stephany. And she was coming. Each step she took echoed like a countdown. He turned slowly to face her, meeting her eyes across the polished marble floor, under chandeliers that suddenly seemed too bright. Her heels clicked to a stop three feet in front of him. She didn’t speak at first. Didn’t blink. She just looked at him like she was seeing a ghost. No… like she was seei
357 the speech
Chapter 358: The Speech The ballroom, moments before electric with noise, now pulsed with stunned silence. The man everyone had ignored, mocked, and dismissed… stood before them. No longer in the shadows. No longer “just a son-in-law.” Chris Brown. The President of MTD Enterprises.If not because Sandra herself introduced him, no one would believe he was the owner of Sterling, the one calling the shots. The man who had, without the Preston name, without favors or inheritance, built a corporate empire that now stood at the helm of Preston Holdings’ salvation. He stepped up to the stage, his black tux catching the soft gold light of the chandeliers above. Calm, composed, magnetic. He didn’t need a grand entrance. He was the moment. The microphone felt cool in his hand as he brought it close. “Good evening,” he began, his voice smooth, quiet, but undeniably strong. The crowd leaned in. “I’ll keep this brief,” he continued. “I know the wine is flowing, and so
356; president on a bike
Chapter 356: The President on a Bike The Grand New York Ballroom shimmered with opulence. Glittering chandeliers hung like frozen stars above the gold-accented floor. Guests milled about in tuxedos and flowing gowns, laughter and polite applause filling the space as media crews tried to capture every angle. Business moguls, celebrities, and dignitaries gathered, sipping champagne and posing for press photos beneath the towering banners that read: “The New Preston Empire – Gala of Legacy and Innovation.” Charles Preston stood front and center, basking in the glow of attention. His tailored white suit gleamed under the lights, and he wore a practiced smile that hadn’t wavered since the event began. Every reporter, every business associate—he greeted them all with open arms and exaggerated humility. “I just did what any visionary would do,” Charles said during an interview, brushing invisible lint off his shoulder. “The expansion was necessary. And thanks to our trusted par
355; a night of glass And gold
Chapter 355: A night of glass and gold. Add her mother pushes her to welcome him The Grand New York Ballroom shimmered like a crown jewel in the heart of Manhattan. Crystal chandeliers dripped light onto mirrored floors, casting glittering illusions across a sea of tuxedos and couture gowns. The air was thick with cologne, champagne, and the sharp undercurrent of ambition. It was a night carved out for legends. And Charles Preston was ready to claim it. "Smile, Mr. Preston!" "Over here, Charles!" "The face behind Preston’s comeback!" Charles grinned wide, adjusting his cufflinks as camera flashes burst in succession. Reporters flanked the red carpet, microphones stretched forward like spears as he paused just long enough for the spotlight to settle comfortably on him. “Yes,” he said with polished ease, “we’re very proud of the progress Preston Holdings has made this year. Tonight is about celebrating that growth—and the vision that brought us here.”
354: Behind the Velvet curtain
Chapter 354: Behind the Velvet Curtain The night shimmered like a stage awaiting its lead actor. Inside the Grand Ballroom at the Empire Crown Hotel, chandeliers sparkled above a sea of elegantly dressed guests. Velvet drapes framed tall windows, and gold, edged mirrors gave the illusion of endless luxury. A symphony quartet played in the background, their music crisp, purposeful like the gala itself. This wasn't just a party. It was war with lace gloves and champagne. And behind the scenes, the generals were preparing. Connor Shaw, head of the Metropolitan Police and Chris’s long, time ally, stood in the back service corridor of the hotel, earpiece in, tablet in hand. His eyes weren’t on the stage. They were on security feeds. “I want eyes on every major entrance,” he said into the comms. “Check for duplicates of the guest list, especially near the back elevators. Nothing gets past us tonight.” He wasn’t here in uniform. He was dressed in a black tailored suit
353; The interruption
Chapter 353: The Interruption The city glowed with twilight as the sun bowed behind glass towers and flashing billboards, preparing to hand the stage over to a night of prestige, power, and unveiling. The Preston Expansion Gala was just hours away, and every detail had been scrutinized to perfection—down to the shimmer of champagne and the alignment of name cards. But Chris never made it to the venue. Not yet. He had left the penthouse in his tailored suit, calm and resolved, his presence a storm wrapped in elegance. The drive his most trusted escort had been instructed to take the back route, avoiding media hotspots. It was supposed to be quiet. Controlled. But power always attracts chaos. And Chris never saw it coming. As the car approached an underpass just twenty minutes from the gala hall, a black SUV swerved from nowhere, cutting them off. Before the driver could react, another vehicle blocked them from behind. Then darkness. Metal clashed. Tires screeched. Doors fl
352: the call of blood
Chapter 352: The Call of Blood The morning sun filtered through the tall windows of Chris's penthouse office, casting elongated shadows across the polished marble floor. He stood by the window, gazing out at the city skyline, his reflection a ghostly overlay against the bustling world beyond. The news had broken earlier that day: the elusive president of MTD was also the owner of Sterling Heritage and would be making a public appearance at the Preston gala. His phone buzzed on the desk behind him, a persistent vibration that refused to be ignored. Chris turned slowly, his eyes narrowing as he saw the caller ID: "Grandpa Brown." A sigh escaped his lips, heavy with the weight of unspoken words and unresolved tensions. He picked up the phone, the device cool against his palm, and answered with a measured tone. "Grandpa." The voice on the other end was sharp, tinged with a mix of frustration and disbelief. "Christopher, care to explain why I had to find out from the p
