"Dan... Wake up, you're so weak," a voice grumbled with concern. I heard it somewhere between consciousness and unconsciousness as if my subconscious mind was pulling me closer to surrender to the comfort being offered."Come on, Dan, I can't carry you alone; I have to get back soon. Open your eyes! Open!" Erwin commanded, slapping my cheeks hard. I instantly sat up, blinking.Automatically, I examined my entire body, which appeared to be intact, except for my clothes, which were torn and burned in places.I was inside an abandoned cabin filled with dust."Dan! Focus! I'll leave you here. You know where to go next, right? I have to return to the prison before suspicions arise. Welcome to Operation Dandelion," Erwin patted my shoulder, smiling, I assumed, because he hadn't removed his head cover, probably paranoid about being discovered."Operation Dandelion?" I asked the words lingering in my memory."You can ask the system about it," Erwin replied shortly. His eyes darted around, and
"Stupid!" Elliot cursed on the phone to his subordinate. His heart was filled with rage at the thought of Rupert escaping successfully. How was it possible that, even with the deployment of special forces, he managed to stay alive? It was as if he had multiple lives, like a cat.[He is suspected to have gone to the city of Laiton, Sir; should we pursue him there?]"NO! My dealings could be prolonged if I have to deal with Robert there," Elliot replied, referring to the mayor of Laiton. Their relationship wasn't considered close because the man was relatively young when he took the seat, and their conversations didn't connect well. It could even be said that they tended to end in arguments. Elliot didn't like his arrogance.'And Rupert knew that, so he escaped there? Pretty clever,' thought Elliot.[Alright, Sir. What should we do now?]"Tighten the borders; he will surely come back sooner or later. I don't want to be caught off guard. Make sure he can't safely re-enter my city, especi
After quenching my thirst with Anne, I left the room, smoked, and immediately contacted Gushton. I glanced at Anne, who was sound asleep.[What?] he asked straight away."I know what you have to find; look for the courier carrying the wine bottle. I guess the letter is stored in that bottle's label."[Woah, that's really clever. Okay, your information is super helpful. I'll inform the others to search more precisely.]"Wait, don't! Let them not know; I only told you and Hammam, you guys will be the ones to intercept the package. If Elliot can read our intentions again, our hope of getting that letter is gone into thin air.""Makes sense, okay. Wait for our update," Gushton closed.***"Baby, who are you talking to?" Alex inquired. Earlier, he heard the sweet and teasing voice of his fiancée talking to a man on the phone.Camilla, caught off guard was shocked, and her phone almost slipped from her hand."Baby! Why are you sneaking around?" she yelled playfully, trying to cover up her p
A black minivan trailed the car driven by Gushton from the moment he entered the toll gate. Gushton, who was familiar with the movements of the person following them, signalled to Hammam."We're being followed, bro. Can you get ready?" he asked without looking.Hammam looked back, observing the suspicious car that Gushton had mentioned. Through the front window, he could see people inside carrying firearms, maintaining a constant distance behind their car."Change the car?" Hammam suggested, and Gushton nodded in agreement. Two kilometres ahead, he exited the toll and headed towards the parking lot of an office building. There, they quickly switched cars and asked their associate to secure the package they had entrusted."Place it at the agreed location right now," Gushton ordered, and the person complied. An elderly janitor in the building immediately dropped her cleaning tools, got on a motorcycle, and left the building ahead of them.Hammam and Gushton then left the building in a d
"Your hunters are now lost at sea, trying to survive and evade predators," Gushton reported with a satisfied laugh."Thanks, bro, for your help. But for now, I'll stay here, not sure what Elliot will do next. Can you send that letter to me?""Tsk, you're quite a bother. I already handed it over to Gatsby, as you instructed. I don't want to deal with that disgusting mafia," Gushton refused.I sighed deeply. I entrusted the letter to Gatsby because I knew he was the only criminal untouched by Elliot and Tom. Their businesses often intersect, but with Gatsby's numerous associates, Tom dares not disturb him. At a glance, their businesses are like two opposing factions. Merrick represents the white business, while Gatsby is in the black business. Gatsby deals with illegal activities, drugs, prostitution, and weapons.No, he doesn't want to work under Merrick. He despises Merrick, considering him hypocritical because he knows Merrick's cunning deeds. According
"Dan... I want to talk," Anne whispered. She had just come out of the bathroom. Her face was serene, but her demeanour was nervous."What is it, baby?" I asked, approaching, looking at her face with concern."I... I'm sorry. I didn't think it would happen so soon," she murmured with a sad expression, biting her lower lip. Many emotions were evident in her expression—fear, embarrassment, sadness, hurt, joy, and uncertainty. It made me speculate about many things."What is it, baby? You haven't told me what the problem is yet."Anne didn't immediately answer; she distanced herself from me, her attitude becoming defensive."If you don't want it, I will still defend it; sorry, Danzel. I'm selfish, but I've loved him even before he existed."Anne's enigmatic response started to frustrate me. What was that all about? Did she love someone else? We had just passionately made love last night, and now she's saying she likes someone else? How absurd!"Who is that disrespectful man?! Are you sure
“Pops, Dr Bertha... We have good news for you,” I greeted them in the recreation room. They were initially arguing about which Sumbawa’s horse was the prettiest, but upon hearing my opening words and seeing the radiant joy on Anne's and my faces, they put down the tablet that had captured their attention and redirected their gaze towards us, their eyes widening with raised eyebrows, curious."You two are going to be great-grandparents!" Anne shouted, rushing to hug them tightly, unable to hide her happiness. Their eyes widened even more."Ohoho! Is that true? I'm going to be a great-grandfather?" Mr Rocky asked."I'm going to be a grandfather? How delightful!" Dr Bertha happily commented.Both Mr Rocky and Dr Bertha asked me to come closer, grabbed me by the hand, and we all embraced each other. This happiness and closeness reminded me of that traumatic night, the night before Helen went to prom with Bash Merrick when she had just receiv
"Who are you?" Elliot asked, pointing to the man who had just barged into his office, a knife held to his terrified secretary's throat."S-sorry, sir," the frightened secretary pleaded with Elliot."Let her go; you've got my attention now," Elliot said, waving his hand to signal Igor to release the secretary.With a sinister chuckle, Igor let go of the secretary. He eagerly licked the blood drops at his knife from the secretary's throat, displaying a twisted sense of satisfaction. Elliot frowned at the strange behaviour of the man in front of him. However, he remained unfazed; he knew that this man had no intention of killing him. From his actions, Elliot could deduce that this man was just an emissary.'Rupert, perhaps?' he guessed in his mind. 'No... Could it be Gatsby? Although I don't know why this man is dealing with me.' Elliot speculated in his thoughts."I'm delivering this letter from Gatsby to you, and an immediate response is expected," Igor grinned with an air of politenes