Chapter 39Celebrations bells rang loudly in the hearts of everyone present. But especially in Doctor Mason’s heart. Throughout the evening, he strolled around declaring Archer as a very sensible young man. The confidence in his tone killed the ominous air that followed the previous rumor in the room and soon, Archer was celebrated as hero again.The occasion went by in a blur, Tangie could now be called Mrs Tangie. She didn’t mind dropping her reputable surname for her husband’s name, but it was against her family’s tradition. Her name could have remained that way too but not after the evening they had.She suddenly wanted to belong to him in all ways. As soon as they stepped into the privacy of their room, Tangie announced, “I’m going to carry your last name.” “Really?” Archer asked, surprised by the confidence of her announcement.Tangie nodded surely, “I will be Tangie Sullivan-Williams.”“I like it,” Archer smiled softly, watching her admire her reflection in the mirror.Sudd
Archer's car pulled over at the restaurant area of the Hotel. He had placed an order to pick up a tray of breakfast for his wife.As he stepped into the restaurant, Archer sighted himself on the TV, he didn't know their wedding had gone viral. The concept of the wedding was much talked about. He slowed his pace just to take in the moments that were caught on camera. The general public was not wrong to hype up the wedding. Archer admitted to himself that they were gorgeous together. The moments as he relived it felt like the evening was made for just the two of them. His lips unconsciously lifted in a soft smile. The clip on TV zoomed on Tangie glowing with ethereal beauty and his heart fluttered.Right there, at that moment, he realized his feelings for Tangie.He didn't just care about her, he was beginning to love her. Abruptly, the angle shifted to his best man standing behind him with a proud smile on his face. He scoffed, "Celestine," the last time I heard from him was when he
Archer abruptly left the dining table, his attention shifted to the message received.He synced his phone to the laptop and the received message popped up on the screen as encrypted."Interesting..." Archer sighed."What about it?" Tangie asked, "it doesn't seem there's much there.""We can't just dismiss it until we know its content. This might just be the missing piece," Archer replied, dialing a number on his phone. The receiver's voice echoed in the background drawing Archer's attention to him."What do you know about encrypted messages, Celestine?" He asked urgently. Sensing the urgency in his tone, Celestine raised an eyebrow, "are you working on your honeymoon?"Archer grinned, "No working here, Mr Devant. Just enjoying breakfast with Tangie. Tell me what you know about encrypted messages."Celestine listened attentively before replying, "I don't know a lot. Just the basics...""I hope the basics you know will be enough to decode a message.""Why the sudden interest in such
Archer was just a normal man, married to Eva Austin before he went to prison. It was his time in prison that taught him martial arts. Even though Master Woods knew he was talented from the beginning, he didn’t go easy on him. He was relentless in his training, pushing him to his limits and beyond.Hence, Archer learnt Martial Arts from the very best in the field and in a very short period.Somehow, as Tangie watched him overpowering six armed men at once without sustaining any injury. Her trust in him began to waver. He was impressive but dangerous to be able to inflict that level of violence."Who are you?" Tangie wondered aloud, her voice trembling with fear. "Are you a thug? Where did you learn to fight like that?"All Archer had to do was explain his commitment to the lessons, and show her the many scars he sustained during his training.However, he decided to keep that part of his life away from people’s knowledge. "That is not important right now, Tangie. Let's get you to sa
Tangie paced the hallway with her heart racing uncontrollably, matching the rhythm of racing thoughts in her mind as she awaited Archer’s arrival.After Marcellus took her home, she found herself in a constant battle with her conscience. After several thoughts and careful consideration, her stomach churned with guilt as she replayed the scene in her mind’s eye, realizing that she had judged him to fast, without asking for explanations.“No!” She interjected, “I asked for explanations,” “Was it when you asked him, ‘who are you?’ Without waiting for an answer?” “I waited for an answer, his reply was ‘that is not important.’ It is important to me!” She murmured, “I just want him to open up to me. I’m his wife now…” she paused, the tip of her tongue itching to blurt out the main reason why she craved Archer’s transparency.Mariah dialed her brother’s number for the hundredth time, eager to inform him that Mrs Williams had been talking to herself all day, and she was worried.After seve
“Let’s get to it then!” The Badger announced excitedly, “I’ll go get my tools…” Celestine raised a concerned brow after the badger disappeared to the “staff-only” area of his bar.“Are you sure about this? Whatever is contained in that message might be top secret.” Archer pivoted towards him, his eyes narrowed with determination and silent resolve.“You called him your good friend before we came here, didn’t you?”“Uh…yes, but” Celestine replied reluctantly, “That’s all I need to know,” Archer replied, “he doesn’t seem trustworthy but I refuse to judge a book by its cover…”“Besides, ‘don’t judge!” Archer mimicked his friend, a half smile playing on his lips.Celestine nodded in understanding but he still had his doubts, he had only met the Badger about four months ago and even as they spoke, he had no idea what his real name was.After a while, the badger returned with a laptop that seemed quite mechanical. Its bulky design and clunky keys stirred a jeer in Celestine.“Is this the
Celestine waited in the car watching Archer stroll tiredly towards the green sensor by the gate of his house. The sensor beeped when once, showing green as the gate glided open. Celestine drove in, slowing down when he got closer to him.“I’ll take a walk instead, Celestine…” Archer replied.Having witnessed the content of the decoded message himself, he understood if Archer needed a minute to himself.As he drove away, Archer stood quietly, watching her taillights disappear into his drivewayArcher sighed heavily, feeling the weight of the evening rush back to him, weighing on his shoulders like a literal burden.With a bit of courage, Archer took his first step into the night, the breeze tugging on his face felt like a warm embrace reassuring him that everything would be fine at the end.Archer turned his back to his mansion, staring at the exit gate.Memories of his life flooded his mind, stirring up emotions that he thought he had moved past.For a minute there, he considered el
The first light of the dawn filtered through the curtains, casting a soft glow in the room.Tangie Sullivan, now Tangie Williams stood before her mirror, gazing at her features intently. Today was different.She took a step backward for a further look. Instead of looking out for her features, smile lines, and wrinkles. Being an outstanding granddaughter of a lord came with lots of attention.Today, she was scrutinizing her arms and her legs envisioning the strength and power in them.She flexed her muscles, engaging in a silent battle with the air.Archer stirred awake, his head heavy from the effect of the badger’s badger-drink.He blinked his open and the morning rays greeted him first. Archer squinted his eyes, scanning about the familiar surroundings. A figure stood by a corner of the large room, throwing weak punches in the air. His eyes widened with a mix of surprise and curiosity as he silently watching her. Unable to hold it in anymore, Archer broke the silence. “What…
Despite the turbulent three months that drove Archer to the brink of insanity, he was grateful for the life he had. A new life where he wasn't looked down on. His wife believed in him and loved him for him, not the money or the status.He had someone he could call a friend, a best friend, and he could take care of the people his Master left behind. At thirty two, he was the City's most wealthy CEO, and he was still as humble as ever.His asthma cure was a hit in the medical industry, recognized world wide, but the billions of dollars he made from the sales was not compared to the relief that his wife was no longer an asthma patient. She was in fact, just a healthy eight weeks pregnant woman."I'm going to be a father soon," was Archer's new mantra. For every decision he made, he considered his new status- Father.Every morning he woke up, he kissed Tangie on the forehead and then progressed to the stomach and spoke to his baby until Mariah announced breakfast was ready.This morni
The ride back home was quiet, unsettlingly quiet for Celestine. Archer had not said a single word since they left the court. He simply clutched on the document and kept his face turned to the window.Every passing moment had him wondering what was going through his mind. Did he feel sorry for Master Woods? Was it guilt?Celestine shook his head, snapping off the thought quickly. Master Woods had what was coming, he was only lucky to have faked his entire existence and go unnoticed for ten years.The car rounded into the large mansion, the sun had began to dip in the horizon, casting a golden afterglow on the contours amd corners of the house.Tangie hurried out of the house at the sound of the car zooming into the compound. She had been eagerly awaiting his arrival, desperate to wrap her arms around him and reassure him that his new family would always be with him.But she instantly went blank as Archer approached her. He looked so devastated that she couldn't bring herself to say any
"The President of Sterling Groups," the court officer announced immediately Archer stepped in.Celestine cast a disapproving glance at the announcer as they settled into their seat.Master Woods was guided onto the dock in hand cuffs. He couldn't save himself from the Supreme Federal Court.While bribing the authorities of the city, he had forgotten about the higher authority- The authority of the federal."He looks worse than the last time we saw him," Celestine whispered, almost excitedly. Archer remained quiet, unmoving in fact. Despite the nice and relieving feeling that a criminal and terrorist of both him and the city had finally been caught, Archer couldn't deny the fact that the man in questiom was his father, at least to an extent.Even as he confessed to his crimes, Archer wished it were not true. He silently wished everything could go back to how it was, before it all went bad.However, it was impossible. He was now awaiting the Jury's verdict and Archer was certain, it wou
"A trip?" Celestine repeated, surprised that he was suggesting a trip in the heat of things. "Have you noticed the high demand we have? It is almost impossible to produce enough for one continent, save five continents and you're talking about a trip?"Archer exhaled softly, a slight frown crossed his face. "We've had a very rocky time, I thought we could all just take a nap somewhere in Vietnam or Thailand, anywhere but here...""We can't be anywhere else but here for now," Celestine scolded, "As your executive manager, I forbid it." As he spoke the last bid, a smile of pride etched on his features. "Are you that happy?" Archer asked, observing his wide smile."I'm beyond happy," Celestine replied quickly, "I'm going to work so hard, I didn't do anything to earn this position but now that I have, I must deserve it."As Archer gazed at him, a thought crossed his mind but he kept it to himself."Let's go home," he said. Celestine glanced at his wristwatch only to notice that it was
THREE WEEKS LATERFor the past three weeks, Master Woods of the Bennett Temple, foster father and mentor of Archer Williams was dragged to pieces on the internet. His double identity, his atrocities, the chaos he secretly instigated, and the people on his payroll. No one was safe. Archer made sure of it. The truth of the brutal murders of Mr. Mathew Sullivan had finally surfaced, and everyone who had once looked down on Archer was on their knees begging to be on his good side, but that was far from what Archer wanted. He wanted all of them to keep away from him. He only wanted to be with his family and friends. To be a good father to his child, a good friend to his friends, and a good mentor to the people who now looked up to him. For the first time, he craved a normal life, a life as normal as a regular man.However, that sort of life was almost impossible for him. He was, after all, the only son of his parents, and he knew his father’s belief in the supernatural was not just a me
Chapter 152Fred watched Mercy’s lips move without hearing the words come out.The unfolding revelation had him analyzing and examining his life. Just like Mr. Mathew, he had allowed Master Woods detect his life. He did everything Master Woods just to be accepted and be genuinely acknowledged, yet the harder he tried, the lesser the man thought of him.“Tangie is right,” he thought to himself, “Just being disqualified to be an Arhat is not enough after he had taken many innocent lives and buried their dreams, both the living and dead.”The whole room went silent, stopped by his soliloquy which he didn’t know had been said out loud. “What are you talking about you ingrate?!” Master Woods burst out, like someone who had had enough of the banter. “You bunch of ungrateful idiots, especially you, Archer, I picked you up from the gutter and brushed off your specks of dirt, but here you are trying to destroy what I have spent years building?”“No!” Archer objected, his voice risingwith an
Everyone's heart raced with anticipation and curiosity. Wide eyes followed him as he pranced around the room, about to say something he was less than confident about. He had seen it in a vision, more like a dream, but what if it was just his imagination? What if he was so desperate to find the connection between Mr Mathew and Master Woods that he began to imagine and invoke unbelievable thoughts?Then again, he believed in the supernatural, after all, his father was a curator of the supernatural. He was confident in the gifts that had unlocked within him, yet he found himself doubting the very essence of the dream he had."You were so confident about the Master's atrocities a minute ago, but now your tongue is tied and you can't prove it." Li sneered.Archer paused and turned to face him. "Li, what's the one thing that can keep our Master from becoming an Arhat?"Master Woods leaned forward, putting a hand on Li, "Don't answer that," he urged.Li turned to the Master with mischief
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
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,