Boys less than twenty years of age were armed with guns and ammunition, and forced to go against the Drug Force Department of Utah. Maverick portrayed his actions as bravery, mobilizing the boys to take on a fight they obviously wouldn’t win, and he was well aware of that, but his fear of Big Dot’s fury overshadowed any concern he had for the Drugs Enforcement actions.In the season of his desperation, a sudden burst of rage filled him with ideas. “Duncan has proven himself loyal,” he nodded, “how about a game of nuts and X, President Williams?”Without any hesitation, he texted Duncan. “Duncan, show this text to officials that can play: Two million dollars each for anyone who will work with me. Kidnap Tangie Williams. We are going to make President Williams of Sterling Groups pay.“The perfect opportunity presented itself when they were given the duty of taking Tangie to the station. Duncan smiled to himself, “My time to become a millionaire is come.”Duncan didn’t have to show Mave
Archer's eyes widened with fear at the gun pointed to his wife's head. His heartbeat plummeted as he glanced at her. Tangie was barely conscious.Her pupils were almost turning to the back of her head, dilated from the loss of blood.Duncan used her as his shield, her fragile frame covering his short, sturdy stature.His boisterous voice echoed in the van, shaking her awake. Tangie tiredly blinked her eyes open, her gaze landing on Archer. As their eyes connected, Archer felt a pang of wrenching pain in his heart, as he stood there unable to help Tangie. "I'm so sorry," he muttered inaudibly, his sight blurry from welled-up tears.Tangie returned his inaudible mumbles with a soft smile. In a dire situation like this, how could she still smile at him? Archer wondered, dropping his gaze to the ground, unable to keep watching the blood trickling from her thighs.Suddenly, the Police announcement speakers blared into the air, "Your van is surrounded by the police! You are advised to dr
The Sullivans had a long-standing tradition of gathering together as often as possible. Lord Sullivan, Tangie’s grandfather was a man who believed in dynasty. Everything he owned was passed from his fathers, and as an elder, he would also one day pass down the family’s legacy. Hence, the need to associate with his family was necessary, he saw it as his duty to ensure the family’s legacy endured, making sure everyone carried out their duties to the family. Tangie received a message inviting her to the family reunion. Tangie sighed softly, making a mental note to include that in her activities of the day. As she stepped into the van, giving a little squeeze to Andrew’s hand and reassuring him, Tangie had an idea to adopt him. Although, she knew her family would never accept him as her son and they wouldn’t allow him partake in the family’s ‘dynasty’, Tangie felt her resolve strengthen whenever she glanced at him. When she texted her husband, she didn’t get around to informing him t
Sitting beside Archer as they gradually approached home, Celestine’s grip on the steering wheel tightened, his apprehension stemming from the expression of despair on Archer's face.He had not glanced away from his phone after the call with his mother-in-law. His silence made Celestine wonder what their phone call was about. Although Archer said nothing, Celestine knew he was blaming himself for his wife's kidnap.Unknown to him that Archer’s silence was because he was losing his mind from helplessness, Celestine chimed "...but how were we supposed to know that the Drugs-Law Enforcement that should be fighting with us were corrupt people that would fight against us?!" This was his lame attempt at telling Archer not to blame himself for Tangie's kidnap. Archer’s silence stretched on, his eyes glued to the screen of his phone, his mind consumed with worry and concern about Tangie. At this point, this was all he could do- diligently awaiting Duncan to name his price. He had completel
The news of Tangie’s rescue spread through the city like wildfire, replacing the fear and panic in the hearts of its inhabitants with relief.Following her rescue, rumors swirled about who might be behind such a brazen act, and whispers of conspiracies filled the internet, but the real answer was yet to be revealed.“If things go as scheduled, The drug-law department will put out a Press Release explaining the details of the incident today. With that, I believe everything will go smoothly for a while…“As Celestine spoke, the gates of the mansion beeped open, and official vans of the Drug Law Enforcement Agency drove in, meeting the Sullivans right at the center of the mansion.Lieutenant Jackson stepped down accompanied by the Commissioner of Police in charge of the city.Without waiting for their word, Archer strode past the gathered officers and the Sullivans, heading straight to the ambulance that carried Tangie.As Archer flung the doors open, a man dressed in a doctor’s robe nur
The car hummed along the familiar streets, as they inched farther away from Archer’s home. Tangie had momentarily felt relief when she was in his arms. She certainly felt that she would have gotten better overnight if she had been in her husband’s arms, “why did they have to do this?” beneath her breath, her voice cracking with the weight of her emotion. Sitting sandwiched between her mom and grandfather, their faces cold with steely gazes diffused the air with silence filled with unspoken thoughts in her head. Tangie went in search of calm for her mind, gazing out the window, her mind drifting away to the passing scenery of the midday. The events of the day replayed in her mind like a bittersweet melody, one moment she was happy, and the next she was down.Her father glanced at her from the rearview mirror, but Tangie averted her gaze away.The streets blurred together, as they sped from from the familiar streets of Utah to the exotic countryside in the suburban area.Finally, th
It seemed far-fetched that Archer requested that they didn’t speak to Tangie. Even though Celestine had heard clearly that The Sullivans demanded an annulment of their marriage, he just didn’t think Archer would not even put up a fight.Celestine nodded in response, not as his friend, but as his Secretary. He was bound to obey him.Mariah let out a gentle sigh, her face pinching with disapproval. “Sir,…” she objected, her voice a soft plea.“I understand she is your friend; you can continue being there for her.” He replied, sitting up abruptly on the couch, sitting up abruptly on the couch. He shot a glance at Celestine and he jolted up and followed him. Archer guided him swiftly to the ballroom, a space he suspected to be one of the meeting chambers of the Seven Divine Citadels. With a firm grip, Archer pulled open the ornate doors, revealing a hall bathed in the soft glow of hanging chandelier lights, the air hummed with sophistication, leaving Celestine gasping. Elegant chairs
What most people call a tragedy in love is when two people are absolutely in love but can not be together. That was Tangie’s description of her life. “I am going through agony just sitting here and watching him act tough on TV. I know he is hurting as much as me, he just won’t show it.”“Tangie, this is not about his feelings or your feelings,” Mrs Margaret explained, “Then what is it? What?”“Your future, our family’s reputation,” her father concurred, his face bearing a worried expression.“What are you talking about?!” “He was imprisoned for attempting mass-murder, Tangie.” Beatrice’s voice echoed in the room, a subtle hint of excitement bubbled her words as they tumbled out. The dining hall held its breath, all pairs of eyes fell on the plates of food before them. Tangie studied their faces one by one, none of them could hold her gaze, not even her father. “Do you pity me that much?” She breathed, her voice cracked with emotions.“We don’t pity you, we are concerned,” Beatrice
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,