"Why?" I asked Gatsby, my face clearly showing anger that I couldn't hide. I had just arrived and opened the door when I threw that question at him without any previous context.Gatsby was seated in his oversized chair in the port's fisheries warehouse office, taken aback by my sudden arrival. I managed to bypass his crew's security as they had seen me visit Gatsby a few times before and allowed me in."Rupert! What a surprise. Why didn't you notify me beforehand?" Gatsby welcomed me with a broad, fake smile."Stop your nonsense and face me like a man, Gatsby. That's if you still have any dignity left in you. After the lame betrayal you did to me, you've truly shattered my trust," I lashed out, leaving no room for ambiguity.Gatsby didn't seem offended. He took a deep breath and exhaled. "No matter how many reasons I provide to you now, I'll always sound wrong in your ears. So, insult me as you wish, I'll accept it gracefully," Gatsby replied, gesturing for one of his men in the room
"Alex, come to my office," ordered Elliot to his future son-in-law over the phone.[Sorry, I have something to attend to. I'll come another time,] Alex declined. Elliot furrowed his brows. It was the first time Alex had gone against his words. In the background, Elliot could hear the whirring of helicopter blades spinning fast."Are you out of town?" he inquired.[None of your business. By the way, why did you call me Elliot? Are you planning to end our partnership? Remove my position from Merrick Corp?] guessed Alex, surprising Elliot with his accurate assumption."You're thinking too far ahead. Have you forgotten to take your calming pills today?" taunted Elliot. Alex chuckled on the other end, sounding like an entirely different person.[Oh, Elliot... This time, I'll let you feel like the all-knowing father. By the way, if you want to cancel my marriage to Camilla, your cheap and foolish daughter, I'll do it gladly. But as for the unpaid costs, they're on you, right?] replied Alex.
After sorting out my business with Gatsby, I intended to announce the letter's contents to the public immediately. However, suddenly, the system displayed an 'urgent matter' sign on the screen.‘What's happening?’ I asked.[Something is happening at the safe house. I can't access it due to limited surveillance cameras there, but I heard gunshots.]Hearing the system's report, I panicked, abandoning the press conference. I instructed the helicopter pilot to fly me back to the safe house.Throughout the journey, my mind was restless, imagining the worst and the possibilities. If something happened to Anne, I would never forgive myself. Especially since the last time we met, we ended it with anger and misunderstanding. At a time when I should have showered her with affection because she carried our child, I made her uneasy with my own feelings.How I wished she knew now the depth of my love for her. Whatever she said wouldn't make me turn away; I would be happy to welcome her pregnancy,
"Alex! You monster! Let me go!!" Anne screamed, pounding on the door of the room. Alex had locked her in at Merrick Mansion. Yes, he had moved there, repairing the damaged building caused by the previous owner and enhancing its security. It was the most suitable fortress for him to shield himself from his enemies' attacks.He had anticipated this thoroughly, the time to rise from being a man oppressed by his own family and acquaintances to becoming a strong, powerful, and cunning man. Since taking over as the CEO of Merrick Corp, he no longer needed to hold back.Anne screamed with all her might, demanding to be released, cursing Alex with some choice foul language she knew. Alex stood silently outside, listening to Anne's screams while smiling faintly. Her behavior made him cherish her even more; he was determined to make Anne his woman. He didn't care about Anne's status because, to him, status was just on paper. Anne still loved him.Anne's punches on the door grew louder and rough
‘Can you arrange the holding of their bodies for me and Anne? I want to give them a proper funeral when the time comes,’ I asked the system.[Of course, that's a wise decision. I'm sure Anne would want the same.]‘Thank you. Now, back to the main issue, what strategy can we use to fight against Alex?’[That's what I wanted to tell you. I can't assist you.]Upon hearing the system's response, I furrowed my brows in surprise. What's going on? Why is it suddenly withdrawing?‘But our goal hasn't been achieved yet. Why are you unilaterally deciding to end our cooperation? I still need you, and Elliot hasn't received a response for his actions,’ I replied vehemently.[Not to that extent, but I can't access Alex's fortress. I don't know how he thought to disable all surveillance cameras, replace their communication devices with outdated technology and closeband. I can't get in,] the system explained. That's when I understood the problem and nodded.‘Strange... Is he suspicious that I'm gett
"Even his name was 'Mad Alex' back then," Bash enthusiastically recounted, "Mom said so he is mental because he fell off the bed as a baby.""Well, congratulations then. You managed to push my family away only to end up with someone even crueller. Haha, how ironic," Bash added. "How amusing that turned out to be."Erwin and I exchanged glances, unsure if Bash was serious or just weaving a fictional tale.“Why so silent? Has Alex made his move now?” Bash guessed, raising an eyebrow."By the way, Rupert, was my mom with you when she died? But why are you still alive on your own? Did you kill my mom?" Bash smirked, his breath making me queasy."Are you seeking catharsis? You know well enough it was Elliot's doing, don't you? But fine, I'm at fault for not being able to protect her. She hoped to see you again, Bash. That was your mom's wish.""Enough, stop talking about her as if you knew her.""She came to me herself, Bash, not the other way around. The games you all play are dangerous.
After leaving his parents' room, Alex headed to the room where he had confined Anne. Carrying a tray of food, the dish he remembered Anne liked, he had cooked it himself specifically to coax Anne out of her sulking mood. He knocked on the door and entered with the key he always carried everywhere. Finding Anne staring out the window, which he had barred with grilles to prevent her escape, Anne's gaze remained distant, disregarding his entrance.Alex placed the tray on the nightstand, pulled a chair to sit in front of Anne, and looked into her eyes."Here’s your meal, eat, okay?" Alex persuaded, "I made your favorite kebab," he pointed out, lifting the tray and offering it to Anne, but she shook her head softly and intended to lie down."This is for the baby in your belly. You intended to make it malnourished?" Alex threatened softly while stroking Anne's hair.Hearing Alex's words, Anne rose and sat up. Alex was right; despite her protests against Alex's treatment, she couldn't be sel
Gushton arrived at Dustown, but for anonymity and to ensure Elliot and Alex couldn't track my whereabouts, Gushton handed Alex's medical records to a courier, who then delivered it to me via postal service.Extra caution was needed to avoid any trace of my presence. Erwin also warned that he didn't want his career jeopardized if it were discovered he was harbouring me. Although, when I really think about my situation is, it's quite amusing. A suspect that “willingly” staying in jail, but I suppose the society wouldn't accept it. Because the essence of prison itself is punishment, so if the suspect doesn't feel "punished," then the purpose of the prison itself is lost.Now, the medical records were in my hands. It was an extensive document, containing case studies and experimental research results on Alex. I wondered how Gushton obtained it, but maybe I could ask later. Because I knew that it would require a long time and full concentration, I read it in my cell.I spread Alex's docume