The Unknown Billionaire

Chapter 35

At that moment, Vere felt nervous as the police officer approached him. But he knew he had to remain calm rather than arouse suspicion. "Here's some water," the officer said as he handed Vere a bottle of water.

 "So, how long have you been homeless?" he inquired. "Oh well, I've been homeless for three years now," Vere replied. 

"Gotcha, Mr.," the officer said. "Anyway, this place is not safe for you. There will be danger around here, so don't stay too close to this area because anytime there might be shooting." "Okay, Mr. Police Officer, thanks for the water. Gotta go now," Vere said, nodding his appreciation, and he started to walk away. 

However, he was suddenly halted in his tracks as the officer called out to him again, "Hey, wait." Vere turned back to the officer, his heart racing. 

"Maybe you could do us a favor, and you'll be rewarded if you do," the officer said, taking out his cellphone and showing Vere a picture of him while he explained that the guy in the picture had escaped from prison and now they haunt him down.

 "If you spot this person elsewhere in the city, please contact the police, okay?" the officer instructed. 

"Ah, okay, Mr. Police, I will," Vere agreed. The officer nodded at Vere, and Vere walked away, quickly putting distance between himself and the police officer. As he moved to another street corner, he noticed Ronnie observing him from a distance.

When he reached the corner where Ronnie was waiting, he was immediately greeted with a concerned "How are you, Vere? Are you okay?" Vere replied, "I'm fine, Ronnie. I almost got caught there. I thought they recognized me." 

Vere and Ronnie continued their surveillance from the adjacent street corner that day. After a while, a car pulled up in front of his company's building. Vere was taken aback at that time when he saw James step out of the car, and they were accompanied by two men like bodyguards. He couldn't believe his eyes and started to wonder whether James had truly been in an accident or had become involved with Mr. and Mrs. Fuentez. 

"James, you scoundrel! You were the one I thought would be my savior from the beginning to the last moments of my life. But I never imagined you'd betray me like this," Vere exclaimed, his tears welling up in his eyes. Ronnie watched him, his heart filled with sympathy.

 But just then, Ronnie's cell phone rang, and he answered it. He quickly told Vere they needed to return, as Crystal was looking for them and waiting in a Safe Ground, their hiding location.

Upon what Vere witnessed at that moment about James, he agreed to leave the area and return to the safe ground where he had been hiding. After walking for about thirty minutes, they arrived at the safe ground, and Crystal was waiting for them.

 However, upon their arrival, Vere didn't speak to Crystal and he walked straight into his room. At that moment, Ronnie spoke to Crystal about what had transpired, and a short while later, Crystal approached Vere.

"Vere, I'm on leave next week," Crystal offered. "If you want, I can help you with your plans. I can act as your lookout for James and Mr. and Mrs. Fuentez. Alternatively, I can try to find a way to bring James here."

Vere's gaze fixed on Crystal, and she met his eyes with a look of determination and resolve. In that moment, they both shared unspoken understanding and hope. Before they could delve deeper into their conversation, Ronnie interrupted with a chuckle, "Oh, did I interrupt your conversation?"

Vere, Crystal, and Ronnie shared a laugh, relieving some of the tension that had built up throughout the day. Crystal smiled and replied, "Oh, nothing, Ronnie."

As night settled over the Safe Ground, and after they talked about their plans Crystal left. Vere grappling with his emotions and the unexpected twist of fate that had brought James back into his life. The promise of Crystal's assistance offered a glimmer of hope, a ray of light in the darkness of his circumstances.

As days turned into weeks, just as Crystal had mentioned that she was on leave, she made her way to Safe Ground early one morning to discuss the plans with Vere. 

However, she advised Vere to remain indoors, emphasizing the need for caution. "We should go alone, just Ronnie and me," Crystal said, her tone filled with concern for Vere's safety.

 "If you were lucky last time, you might not be so fortunate this time. So for now, it's better for you to stay indoors." Vere listened to her advice, considering the risks involved, and agreed, "You're right, Crystal. It's better this way." After their brief conversation, Crystal and Ronnie left, leaving Vere behind in the Safe Ground. Vere watched them go, feeling a mix of relief and anxiety about what the coming days might bring.

 As he remained hidden, Vere still contemplated the events that had transpired in recent weeks, the reappearance of James, and why he was with bodyguards. The uncertainty of his situation weighed heavily on him, and he could only hope that the choices he had made would ultimately lead to a safer and more secure future.

However, that evening, it grew late, and Crystal and Ronnie had not yet returned. Vere's anxiety grew by the minute. Unable to bear the uncertainty any longer, he decided to leave the safe ground in search of them. 

As Vere walked through the nearly deserted streets, he couldn't shake the feeling of foreboding that had settled upon him. In the distance, he spotted two parked cars that seemed to be blocking another vehicle. It was there that he witnessed a group of three men forcibly pulling a woman out of her car. In that dimly lit and isolated spot, there were no bystanders. 

The woman locked eyes with Vere, her desperation evident, and she silently begged for help. Vere hesitated at first, trying not to draw attention to himself, but he couldn't stand by as the situation escalated. Summoning his courage, Vere approached the scene, determined to intervene and aid the distressed woman. 

He approached the three men and threw a punch at one of them, attempting to disrupt their actions. However, the men turned their aggression towards him, overpowering him as they ganged up. Desperate to assist the woman and himself, Vere fought bravely, but the men were relentless.

Ultimately, they managed to free the woman, who quickly fled to safety. Vere, on the other hand, was left battered and bruised as the assailants departed. Despite the physical toll exacted on him, He remained in the desolate area, bruised and disheartened, contemplating the harsh realities of the world he found himself in, knowing that danger could lurk around any corner.

At that moment, Vere was left severely battered and barely able to stand. Despite the pain coursing through his body, he summoned every ounce of strength to rise slowly and begin the painful journey back to the safe ground. Upon his return, he found Crystal and Ronnie had just arrived, their worried expressions quickly transforming to shock as they took in Vere's battered state. "Vere, what happened?" Crystal exclaimed, rushing to his side. "I tried to find you two when you didn't come back, but I stumbled upon something I couldn't ignore," Vere replied, his voice strained from the pain.