Getting to the exit door on the ground floor of the hotel, Julius peered forward and saw the three cars he had ordered prepared, ready to move out in front of the hotel like obedient companions, patiently awaiting their master's next command.“Lincoln Navigator SUVs?” Julius muttered at once, also taking a satisfied sigh at this moment.“Very okay,” he nodded with a gentle smile, then turned to Mr. Turner beside him and gently placed his palm on his shoulder.“Great cars for the mission. Well done!" Julius smiled again, taking three steps forward with a sense of satisfaction, much like a captain inspecting his well-prepared troops before a crucial battle.In this way, he saw the chauffeurs of each car seated at the wheels like eager servants waiting for their master to join them on the road trip. As he looked inside each Navigator, Julius saw them dressed in black fashionable suits and white gloves, which they placed gently on the steering wheels.Likewise, if that was all he saw at t
Ringing the doorbell like a musical note punctuating the silence, the head security and the other two bodyguards peered at an old man who had just opened the door and leaned his head out.His bald head resembled a polished dome, his wrinkles told a tale like a history novel, and his tiny eyes crinkled at the corners with warmth, reminiscent of a favorite family photo.“Who are you people?” the old man asked, staring at the three men on his doorstep with a scrutiny that felt like a spotlight exposing a scene in the mystery of his everyday life.Even as the old man questioned, if the head of security spoke any response instantly, it would be a lie. In these seconds, the head of security turned back and peered at Mr. Turner from a distance.If Mr. Turner shouted a response, that too would be another lie. He only nodded back at the head of security, who indeed and perfectly understood the message at once.“We are sorry to interrupt you, sir, but the boss wants to have a word with you.”“W
"Do not mind how Mr. Turner inspected the drink. It's a procedure, and he means no disrespect." Julius smiled, then lifted his glass of wine and took a sip, just like Jae-hoon did.“Of course,” Jae-hoon smiled back immediately, then bowed.“It makes me remember the grandmaster. He was always so disciplined, and you are just like him.” Jae-hoon smiled again.Hearing what he just said, Julius could not help but be more curious, like a cat in a room full of mysteries.“You have met my father?” He voiced his curiosity almost immediately, like a detective unraveling a crucial clue in a mystery novel.“I already told you, Master Julius Sabbath, that my humble family is forever indebted to your great Sabbath family.” Jae-hoon bowed once more, and when he raised his head, he sighed like a weary traveler finding solace at the end of a long journey."On a quiet, cold night—perhaps the last night we would spend on earth before we gave up the ghost—out of nowhere, the grandmaster stepped out of o
As Julius observed Jae-hoon falling on his face and speaking in a rush like a torrential river cascading over the rocks, he placed his hands on his shoulders once again and smiled. “Thank you, Mr. Jae-hoon, for respecting me this way. However, I will never let you transfer your shares to me for free.”When Jae-hoon heard this, his eyes fluttered as he did not expect where this conversation had turned, like a wanderer in a dense forest suddenly stumbling upon a hidden treasure chest.“No, Master Julius Sabbath, I want to transfer it to you. Please accept it, and I can show my appreciation to your family.” Jae-hoon insisted, despite how good the sound of money echoed in his ear.“Your hospitality is enough, Mr. Jae-hoon, and I will always remember it.” Julius insisted, and immediately, he turned a side look at Mr. Turner, where he was standing.Seeing how Julius turned a side look at him, Mr. Turner understood the unspoken exchange between master and servant. Hence, immediately, Mr. Tur
After about fifteen minutes of driving, they finally arrived at the address in the profile view of Michael Ross. With this, Julius, who was now wearing dark shades with a pure golden handle, stepped out of the Navigator as Mr. Turner opened the door for him.At this moment, Julius saw that he stood in the presence of a mansion, which was easily a masterpiece of wealth and taste. Its exterior was draped in opulent details, such as tall columns flanking the entrance like sentinels guarding the secrets within. Intricate carvings adorned the facade, telling silent stories of prosperity.He also noticed large windows adorned with ornate frames, offering glimpses into the world within.Peering to the side of the mansion in front of him, Julius saw a lineup of sleek, high-end cars adorning the driveway, each one a testament to the owner’s prosperity.“Lovely house and vehicles. Don’t you agree, Mr. Turner?” Julius smiled at this instant like a sunbeam.“Yes, sir. This is a lovely house and s
As Julius observed Mr. Ross's bodyguard leaving them alone, he noticed two men and two women entering the garden immediately, akin to diligent housekeepers quietly entering a meticulously kept estate, their movements synchronized with the precision of a well-practiced routine.If these men and ladies were dressed like the previous bodyguard he had seen earlier, it would be a lie. In this way, he observed that one of the men had an oval face, beardless jaws, short hair, and darker skin compared to the other man, who had a bald head and a face adorned only with a mustache.Additionally, he observed that they were clad in crisp and well-fitted button-up shirts with subtle emblems, complemented by neatly pressed trousers. Furthermore, he saw that the men wore polished shoes, presenting themselves in a professional and organized manner.The ladies, who looked pretty to some extent with their hair tangled in the back, were attired in well-fitted blouses paired with skirts. Completing their
Entering back into the garden, Mr. Ross walked towards Julius and stretched out his hands for a handshake, even though he had not yet come close to Julius.As Julius saw this cheerful gesture from Mr. Ross, he already understood its meaning. Hence, he offered a smile and waited until Mr. Ross reached him.Exchanging handshakes like loyal friends and family, Mr. Ross said, “We have a deal, Master Julius. But I don’t see any cash around you. Hahaha.” He laughed happily, like a contented jester reveling in the amusement of a clever jest.Having heard this, Julius placed his hand on Mr. Ross's shoulder and patted it gently, saying, “You know, money is never my problem. Please, walk with me.”As Julius said this, he immediately saw the door through which he had entered the garden open silently. The same bodyguard who had escorted him into the garden stepped inside.Quickly exchanging a message with each other, Julius observed the hand gesture Mr. Ross made to the bodyguard and how the body
Arriving at Ryan Martinez's mansion, as Julius stepped out of his Navigator, he saw that the mansion stood out with a mix of classical and modern architecture featuring towering columns and intricate carvings that exuded grandeur. In the same way, he noticed the imposing wrought-iron gates guarding the entrance, signaling a desire for privacy. As his eyes moved around the mansion, akin to a group of explorers checking out a city for the first time, he also observed that the landscaped grounds were meticulously kept, with neatly trimmed hedges and vibrant flowerbeds framing a driveway lined with ornate lampposts. Hence, the outer walls boasted artistic details, showcasing Ryan’s penchant for making a statement through design. "I see that your guy loves art as much as he loves his dubious means of getting money,” Julius teased in a whisper to Mr. Turner, like a sly fox revealing the hidden layers of a cunning game in the shadows of secrecy. However, no matter how much Mr. Turner would
“Thank you, Ms. Benedicta, for the opportunity to speak in this interview session about the recent happenings in our society. And yes, a prenup is a short prenuptial agreement. This is a legal contract entered into by a couple before they get married. It outlines the division of assets and financial responsibilities in the event of divorce or separation. This is the case with Rebecca, according to her agreement in the prenup; she won’t get anything from the assets after divorce.“Now, regarding whether she is right to be happy as her husband has been sentenced to life imprisonment, I want us to understand that, first of all, it is a person’s right to be happy. A person who is not happy deserves to be happy. However, the cause of being happy can vary. To some, money makes them happy; to others, their husbands or wives make them happy; and to other people, the aroma of food and the sound of sexual talks make them happy.In the case of Rebecca, I can relate to her when she says she was ha
Answering that question, the screen boldly showed reporter Alfred, who then said, “Our dear viewers, you have heard from Rebecca herself. She has filed for divorce with Mr. Thornton, and she is the happiest that justice has been served. Right now, we will be transitioning to the studio, where Ms. Benedicta will take over this discussion. But before that, don’t go anywhere.”As reporter Alfred said this on TV and smiled, the screen transitioned into a commercial break. A renowned soccer player was seen on TV kicking his ball and finally kicking it hard into the sky. Suddenly, the ball speedily changed into the Pepsi logo, and then a bottle of Pepsi was shown on the screen.After the commercial, the TV transitioned back into the studio, where a woman was shown wearing a short-length suit. Her hair was somewhat red and very short. She held a pen and a notepad and smiled boldly into the camera.Beside her were five men in different colored suits. One wore blue, another black, another grey
The news of this soon spread across every blog, every news station, and on social media, with the caption, “Mr. Richard Thornton, the same man who set out to compete with Master Julius Sabbath's luxurious hotel, has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term.” As for this, the news broadcasters have it on their TV screens, like:“Hello, dear viewers, We are back again to give you the latest news in real-time. As always, you are our priority, and we make sure to keep you updated.Just a few minutes ago, Mr. Thornton, who wanted to compete with Master Julius Sabbath of the great Sabbath family, was sentenced to a lengthy prison term. We heard this from the judge himself when he pronounced the sentence in court.Among the testifiers in court who shared their experiences with Mr. Thornton were his neighbor, Master Julius Sabbath himself, his two daughters, his wife, his ex-wife, and three of his employees.While they shared their experiences with the court, each of their testimonies aligned
The courtroom was tense with anticipation as Master Julius Sabbath stepped down from the stand. The judge, his face a mask of solemn contemplation, turned to address the room. The weight of the testimonies and evidence presented against Mr. Thornton hung heavy in the air."Mr. Thornton, please rise," the judge commanded. Thornton stood, his face pale, his eyes darting around the room as if seeking an escape from the walls closing in around him.The judge began, "After hearing the testimonies of multiple witnesses and reviewing the substantial evidence presented, this court must now deliberate on the charges brought against you. The accusations are grave and numerous, encompassing wage theft, domestic violence, sexual harassment, and corruption."He turned to the jury, ensuring their attention. "First, let us address the charge of wage theft. We have heard from multiple witnesses, including former employees, who testified to your consistent failure to pay wages on time. These delays an
As Michael Harrison left the stand, the judge turned to the bailiff. "Please call Master Julius Sabbath to the stand."Julius walked to the stand, was sworn in, and took a seat, facing the courtroom with a calm yet determined expression."Please introduce yourself to the court," the judge prompted."My name is Master Julius Sabbath," he began. "I am the heir of the great Sabbath Family who was once in poverty training when I met Mr. Thornton."The judge nodded. "Master Sabbath, can you tell us about your experiences with Mr. Thornton?"Julius took a deep breath and began. "When I first met Mr. Thornton, I was still struggling to make a name for myself and was undergoing training to improve my skills. Mr. Thornton hired me despite my circumstances, which I appreciated at the time."He paused, his expression growing more serious. "However, it soon became clear that Mr. Thornton had a very abrasive personality. He was always verbally abusive to his employees, especially the male ones who
A young girl, slightly nervous but determined, approached the witness stand. She was sworn in, and after taking a deep breath, she began her testimony."Please introduce yourself to the court," the judge prompted gently."My name is Emily Thornton," she said, her voice soft but clear. "I'm 12 years old, and I'm Rebecca's first daughter."The judge nodded. "Emily, can you tell us about your experiences with Mr. Thornton?"Emily took another deep breath, gathering her thoughts. "Mr. Thornton is my dad. At first, he seemed nice, but it didn't take long before he started changing. He would get really angry at my mom for little things. He would yell at her a lot, calling her names and saying really mean things."Her voice wavered slightly, but she pressed on. "One time, I heard them fighting, and I went to see what was happening. I saw him push my mom against the wall and hit her. She was crying and begging him to stop, but he wouldn't. I was really scared, and I didn't know what to do."E
As the court resumed after the recess, the judge called for order. The courtroom immediately quieted, and the judge addressed the court.“Thank you for your patience,” the judge said. “We will now call Mrs. Laura Thornton to the stand.”Laura Thornton, a composed woman in her late forties, walked to the witness stand. She was sworn in and took her seat, glancing briefly at her ex-husband before looking resolutely ahead.“Please introduce yourself to the court,” the judge prompted.“My name is Laura Thornton,” she began, her voice steady. “I was married to Mr. Thornton for three years. We have no children together.”The judge nodded. “Mrs. Thornton, please tell the court why you divorced Mr. Thornton.”Laura took a deep breath, her gaze unwavering. “I divorced Mr. Thornton because of domestic violence. For years, I endured physical and emotional abuse. Contrary to what Mr. Thornton has told everyone, that I extorted him and sex-starved him, the reality is that I lived in constant fear
---Emily, at this instance, took a deep breath, her eyes hardening as she looked at Mr. Thornton, and continued talking. “I worked for Mr. Thornton for two years. Like many others, I was drawn in by the promise of fair wages. But those wages were never paid on time. Sometimes they weren't paid at all. When we confronted him, he would dismiss our concerns, make excuses, and even threaten us with termination if we kept asking.”Her voice grew more intense. “But it wasn’t just the financial exploitation. Mr. Thornton created a hostile work environment through his constant verbal abuse. He would belittle us, call us names, and make us feel worthless. He thrived on our fear and desperation.”She paused, her expression growing darker. “And there was something even more sinister. Mr. Thornton sexually harassed me and other female employees. One day, while I was working late, he came up behind me and tried to touch my breast. I pushed him away and told him to stop, but he just laughed it off
In the early hours of the morning, this was the day every citizen had waited for, both young and old, men and women. The courtroom was filled with an air of anticipation and a sense of justice long overdue. The seats were packed with spectators, some standing in the aisles, craning their necks to catch a glimpse of the proceedings.In the same manner, reporters jostled for space, their cameras clicking and flashes popping, eager to capture every moment of this high-profile trial.Reporters were both inside and outside the court. On this day, “Today is the day we have all waited for, the day Mr. Thornton stands trial for his fate, whether he will be sentenced to prison or become a free man. Do not forget that Mr. Thornton has been charged with wage theft and domestic violence against his wife, Rebecca. Will he be able to secure his freedom? We can only wait and see,” reporter Jasmine said on TV while she smiled, and the TV screen transitioned to the court proceedings.As the TV screen