Archer spent most of the ride back home looking over his shoulder. Aside the fact that he wanted to be sure Celestine was right behind as promised, it still felt surreal to him that he was out of that dungeon. Tangie could not believe it either. For five days they had stayed in cages like animals, helpless and hopeless. Not one of her family visited her, how could she ever forgive them?Perhaps they had all turned against her. Perhaps they were one of the people who killed her father. How would they face her now? She thought, who would save them when her wrath came upon them?The ride back home was quiet, each person filled with thoughts of their own experiences. But as the car finally reached the gate to his home, Archer let out a heavy breath that he didn't realize he'd been holding. "We're home," he said, turning to Tangie.As they stepped out of the car, Tangie broke down in tears, her body quivering slightly as Archer wrapped his arms around her. "Please stop crying, I won't
President Archer Williams settled into the dining table, his gaze stern on Mercy. His conversation with Master Woods at the Bennet Temple echoed in his mind.“Don’t!” Master Woods exclaimed, his eyes bulging with caution, “Don’t ever trust anything Mercy says to you…” “Why, Master? Mercy although she is young, speaks as though she has been from the beginning. She said something about owing Maverick Snr because he saved her life.”“Mercy is not young. She has mastered all the forbidden Gingsu of the underworld.”Archer’s brows furrowed skeptically as he glanced at Mercy across the table. Yet he remained quiet, he wasn’t one to turn against anyone just because he was told to do so, but with recent events in his life, he felt weary of everyone.Sensing his disapproval, Celestine decided it was time to step in. Despite his diminishing confidence, he cleared his throat and began shakily.“Archer, she uh… she came to me. She’s on our side. Could you take a leap of faith and trust me on thi
Archer hesitated for a while, contemplating whether or not to answer the phone.“You should answer,” Celestine nudged him on.With slow unwilling steps, Archer pressed the phone to his ear. “Hello Master,” he greeted, his voice shaky with the pain of betrayal.“Archer, son… what’s going on? I heard you were released.”“Yes Master, I was released…”“I’m sorry son, I was trying so hard over here, but good thing you were released.”“Yes Master, good thing…” “Uh… are there any more problems? Fred told me about the new footage… don’t worry about it. I’ll call in a few favors and have it deleted…” As the call ended, Archer sank to the bench, his mind racing with thoughts and questions he couldn’t get answers to.Could his suspicions be right?Was Master Woods really Big Dot? Or was this what they wanted him to think? Perhaps they want me to go against my master and lose his trust, Archer thought. “My master is innocent…” he thought aloud, “it makes no sense for him to be up against me w
Chapter 146Archer’s mind raced with all the wrong questions. Like every other hero, he was kind to a fault. Just like he denied Mr. Mathew’s hand in his troubles when his secret investigation Mr Dunni Freeman traced the threat messages he used to receive to his phone, he denied it and kept it his knowledge of the matter a secret until it had gotten out of control. Now, he was doing it again, denying the possibility that his Master was not as kind and genuine as he portrayed himself to be.The signs were all pointing towards his direction, but Archer’s trust remained unwavering. It was he who signed over his properties and possessions to him, what sense did it make if he suspected him as his sworn enemy?As he thought about it, his suspicions that he was being pointed to the wrong direction deepened, and the suspicion that his closest friends could be the people he was fighting against began to gnaw at him. His trust in everyone began to diminish uncontrollably.“For god’s sakes, whe
Chapter 147He had just one plan in mind- take back the trust he had given to Master Woods. But before that, he needed solid evidence.Archer stormed into his car, his grip tightened on the steering wheel. Before Mariah and Tangie could reach the garage, he was already at the gate, speeding through the boulevard without looking back.He had been playing safe, playing trust. Well no more of that, he fumed.As he pulled up at the large compound of the discreet facility he had been left in. Archer turned on a secret camera attached to the button of his shirt. From the checkpoint of the palace, he intentionally avoided their shuttle bus, striding across the woods with determined steps. A guard followed closely behind him, watching his movements.As he reached the entranceway to the facility, Lord Bullock emerged unexpectedly, his gaze met with Archer’s hardened face. “To what do I owe the visit? Do you want to go back in your cage?” Lord Bullock began in his usual aloof manner.Archer
Chapter 148The room held its breath as Tangie's questions sank in. "If Master Woods has been plotting this evil just to keep his saintly facade, why did my father get killed? Was my father even the true Big Dot? But if he wasn't, does it make Master Woods Big Dot? Does this mean he was behind Maverick Jr's illegal drugs business, the deaths, and unexpected accidents of the shareholders... Doctor Mason? Kingston Gaye? Maverick Sr?""Somebody make it clear!" Tangie cried, "Make me understand what's going on?! I can't seem to get a hang of it," Archer quickly dumped the envelope on the centerpiece and rushed to his wife's side, patting her back gently as he whispered calming words to her. "We'll figure it out, I promise," he said, "Leave everything to me," Tangie nodded, wiping her eyes dry. "But how?" She asked after she had finally calmed down. "How are we going to get all the evidence together? Everything looks so scattered right now." Archer exhaled softly, planting a kiss on he
Chapter 149As he grunted in pain, he struggled to keep himself composed. To fight his enemy with his head high, he needed to wipe his tears and stand strong. But how could he fight against the one person he had trusted? Despite the truth of his betrayal, his heart yearned for him to tell him that it was all a lie. Tired and weak, Archer strolled over to the study desk, longing for something to lay his weight on.It was barely midday, yet he could feel his body giving out. Maybe it was the lack of rest, maybe it was the heaviness in his heart, but just as he settled on that desk. He caught his eyes closing against his will, completely oblivious to the faint footfalls outside the door. Celestine had been pacing up and through the hallway, unable to go in or walk away. His heart raced with empathy, he wondered what he could do to help his friend, without any answers coming to mind. As he stood there, glancing at his wristwatch repeatedly, approaching footsteps echoed in the distance,
Chapter 150Archer's voice resounded with conviction and no empathy. Master Woods squinted his eyes, gazing at him pensively.The room held its breath, both Mercy and Celestine were speechless, unaware if Archer was speaking in truth or if this was his way of coercing the truth from Master Woods.Tangie rose from her seat, disturbed by the tension of the room and needing some comfort, she walked over to Mariah. "I don't feel too good about this," She whispered. "Me neither," Mariah responded, her gaze flickering from Master Woods to Archer."Could you excuse us?" Master Woods finally spoke, breaking the silence.Everyone turned, exchanging confused glances at each other. "Everyone leave!" He bellowed angrily."Everyone here is my family, Master, and they will stay. I don't think there's anything to hide." Archer interjected, his voice laced with vigor.Master Woods chuckled wryly, "Archer, son, you cannot be greater than your master." "Sir," Archer returned, "I do not aspire to be