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The Wrath of the Dragon Duke. Chapter 33 : Lloyd's Atonement
Lloyd’s eyes remained glued to the name on the redacted document... Annabelle Bishop. His mother’s name stood out like a beacon amidst the sea of blacked-out text, taunting him with its presence yet offering no clarity. His mind was electrocuted.First his father had appeared in the Lancaster report from the police station break-in, and now his mother. The pieces of his past were aligning in the most unsettling ways, but the picture was still incomplete.He slammed the folder shut, his jaw tightening with frustration.“I need the full version of this report” Lloyd said, his voice sharp and commanding.Jacob flinched at the intensity in Lloyd’s tone.“Lloyd, I already told you... that’s everything Morty gave me”“Then get more!” Lloyd snapped, his frustrations mountingJacob straightened, trying to maintain his composure despite the growing tension in the room. “I can’t, Lloyd. The non-redacted version is under lock and key, and only Morty’s father, Larry flanagan, can authorize it
The Wrath of the Dragon Duke. Chapter 34 : Treacherous Quest
The boutique bustled with shoppers, their voices a muted hum beneath soft background music. Lisa sifted through racks of elegant dresses, her fingers brushing against the fabrics. Though her face lit up with the occasional smile, Lloyd noticed the hesitance in her every movement, she would glance at a price tag, then quietly return the item to its place.“You like that one?” Lloyd asked, stepping closer as Lisa admired a pastel blue gown.Lisa shook her head, forcing a smile “It’s nice, but I don’t need it”“You’ve got the money, Lisa,” Lloyd said, gesturing toward the dressing rooms. “Try it on... or buy it, whatever you want”Lisa hesitated “It’s not about the money, Simon. I just… don’t want to seem wasteful.”Lloyd’s brow furrowed. “Why would anyone think that?”Lisa sighed, her shoulders slumping slightly“The first batch of funds from the Western Steel contract came in today, It’s enough to handle immediate needs, but there’s still so much to fix...""The company, my family...
The Wrath of the Dragon Duke. Chapter 35 : Don Pizzaro
The black sedan came to a stop in front of the Museo della Pizzaro, the grand Italian-styled museum housing some of the most prized possessions of the Pizzaro crime family.The marble exterior gleamed under the moonlight, and the air was thick with the weight of unspoken danger.Lloyd Bishop stepped out of the car, his black coat trailing behind him as he surveyed the area. Ivan followed, his eyes scanning every corner, his hand tucked into his jacket where a concealed weapon rested.The two men stood silently, watching the building they had been scouting for days. Guards patrolled the perimeter, their routes precise and calculated, as though every move had been rehearsed.Ivan broke the silence, his voice low but edged with doubt. “Boss, you sure about this? The place is locked down tighter than a vault”Lloyd didn’t take his eyes off the building. “We’ve done harder jobs before”Ivan let out a small huff. “You say that like we’re not two men about to walk into one of the most dang
The Wrath of the Dragon Duke. Chapter 36 : War On The Roads
Lloyd’s eyes narrowed, but his expression remained composed “We can still settle this, Don, you’re a businessman... let’s not turn this into bloodshed”Carlo smirked, a cruel glint in his eyes. “Your words mean nothing, ragazzo, You walk in here with arrogance, you insult me with petty bribes, and now you bargain for your life?” The barrel of a dozen guns remained locked on Lloyd and Ivan, their bodies caught in the suffocating weight of the moment.The guards stood tense, waiting for Don Carlo’s next order. His cold, disdainful gaze lingered on Lloyd as though the man before him were nothing more than a pest to be swatted.“You’ve overstayed your welcome” Don Carlo said calmly, his voice a quiet death knell “Take them to the spot, and finish there, Not here... It'll be too messy"Lloyd and Ivan didn’t resist as two guards stepped forward, guns pressing against their backs. Ivan gave Lloyd a sidelong glance, his jaw tight. Not yet... Lloyd’s slight nod was his only response.Black
The Wrath of the Dragon Duke. Chapter 37 : Actions and consequences
The Francis compound loomed large and quiet in the dim light of early morning. Lloyd parked his car at the front gate, his hands gripping the steering wheel tightly.Blood seeped from the gunshot wound on his face, coating his hair and staining his shirt.Breathing deeply, he reached into the glove compartment and pulled out a sleek black vial...his regenerative solution. Unscrewing the cap, he downed the bitter liquid in one gulp.Warmth spread through his body as the solution went to work, knitting torn flesh and tissue together with an almost supernatural efficiency.He wiped his face with a cloth, watching in the rearview mirror as the wound sealed itself, leaving only faint redness where the bullet had entered.Reaching over to the passenger seat, he grabbed the Francis family crest, its golden surface gleaming faintly under the streetlights. He tucked it securely under his arm, straightened his jacket, and stepped out of the car.As Lloyd entered the compound, he was immediate
The Wrath of the Dragon Duke. Chapter 38 : Road Rage
John leaned forward, his hands resting on the desk.He studied Lloyd with a mix of suspicion and grudging respect “How?”“That’s not important” Lloyd said smoothly, “what matters is that it’s here”“You made the news” Harold said, his voice rising in panic “Do you have any idea what you’ve done? Don Carlo...he’ll come after us now He’ll...!”“Oh rest assured, I wasn't stupid enough to let him see me" Lloyd interrupted."Probably the last thing he remembers are the explosives going off" Harold’s mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water, his mind unable to comprehend the situation.John, however, leaned back in his chair, a calculating look in his eyes."So that's how he did it" John deduced in his mind."He sabotaged the entourage by placing explosives on the road, the explosion probably took out most of the gurads and made way for him to steal the crest"John smiled slightly, for the first time there was a hint of pride...“You’ve proven your resourcefulness” he admitted, his
The Wrath of the Dragon Duke. Chapter 39 : Strengthened Resolve
Steam curled around Morty as the hot water pounded against his tense shoulders. His hands braced against the shower wall, head bowed, frustration tightening his jaw.It had been weeks since he’d vowed to escalate his investigation into Camren’s death, but he wasn’t any closer to solving it. The evidence was scarce, leads were drying up, and the deeper he dug, the more dead ends he found.Worst of all, his father was growing impatient.Morty knew what that meant... if he didn’t produce results soon, Larry Flanagan would make him pay.He was genuinely afraid of this, Larry Flanagan might be his father, but he was still a ruthless man, who had no tolerance for who he considered dead weight.Sighing, he turned the water off and stepped out, grabbing a towel and wiping the steam off the mirror.His reflection stared back at him, tired and filled with self-loathing. He ran a hand through his wet hair before glancing at the large corkboard across the room, filled with photos, notes, and
The Wrath of the Dragon Duke. Chapter 40 : Snooping Around
Lisa leaned back in her office chair, exhaling deeply as she stared at the final document in front of her. She had spent the entire day signing papers, reviewing contracts, and sitting through meetings that all blurred together into a monotonous, exhausting routine.She never thought boredom could be so tiring.At least when she had cancer, the looming presence of existential dread kept her alert.But even with the weight of tedium pressing on her, Lisa found herself smiling.This was her life now.Not a hospital bed. Not endless pitying looks from people who assumed she wouldn’t make it.She was CEO of Francis Steel, and she had earned this.A soft knock at her office door pulled her out of her thoughts.“Ms. Francis?” Her secretary poked her head in “Your husband is here to take you home”Lisa immediately brightened. “Thank you Clara, I’ll be right out”She stood, stretching her arms before grabbing her coat and bag. As she stepped out of her office, her eyes instantly found Lloyd
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Chapter 53 : Hopelessness
Morty swirled the amber liquid in his glass, staring at the way the light from the dingy bar flickered against the alcoholIt was almost hypnotic.Or maybe it was just the exhaustion settling into his bones.He had been drinking since yesterday...Or was it the day before...?It didn’t matter.Nothing mattered anymore.He took another sip, wincing as the whiskey burned down his throat.For the first time in his life, he felt truly empty.Not angry, not frustrated.Just… hollowHe reached up to touch the bandage on his forehead, feeling the sting from where the glass had cut him.His father’s parting gift.The memory played out in his mind, clearer than anything else he could focus on.---“Do you even understand what you've done?!”Larry Flanagan’s voice had thundered through his office, rattling the very walls.Causing the entire station to fall silent.The moment Morty stepped inside, he could tell this wouldn’t be like his father’s usual reprimands.This was something much, much wo
Chapter 52: The Trap
Lloyd’s boots echoed off the damp concrete as he and Ivan descended into the underground facility.This wasn’t the first time Lloyd had brought someone here, but the circumstances were vastly different now.The last time, it had been Lisa, dying of cancer.Now, it was Rafe, barely conscious and tied to a bedpost in the facility’s interrogation room.Unlike Lisa, he wasn’t here for healing.Lloyd stared down at him, watching the slow rise and fall of his chest.Rafe was alive... for now.His face was bruised from their earlier scuffle, and his shirt was soaked with sweat. His breathing was slow but steady.Ivan leaned against the wall, arms crossed.He could wake Rafe up immediately, but he had to wait for the boss's signalInstead, Lloyd stepped forward and kicked the bedpost slightly, jolting Rafe awake.The man groaned, blinking through hazy eyes before recognition set in.He wasn’t dead.Yet.Lloyd crouched down so their eyes were level."Rise and shine, Rafe" he said calmly.Rafe
Chapter 51 : Hasty Investigations
Lloyd stood in the dimly lit alleyway, gripping the edge of his phone so tightly that his knuckles turned white. The call had ended minutes ago, yet Logan’s final words echoed in his mind like a haunting melody."Three days, Simon. If you don’t find us by then… Jacob dies"A chill settled over him.Lloyd had always known that violence was a currency in their world, but even as the Dragon Duke, he had a reputation of never leaving his men behind, much less his childhood friend, whom he had sworn to protect.So he wasn’t about to let Logan make a spectacle of him.Beside him, Ivan leaned against a brick wall, arms crossed. He had been watching his boss carefully ever since the call ended. His boss had gone completely silent, something Ivan had rarely seen before.“You’re actually worried,” Ivan noted, his voice low, almost cautious.Lloyd’s jaw tensed."Of course, I’m worried" he muttered."I've never... The entire sequence of events since last night has been wrong, I have to make it
Chapter 50 : Identity Compromised
Lisa sat in the back of the taxi, gripping her phone so tightly that her fingers ached.She had called Lloyd’s number five times alreadyeach time, it went straight to voicemail.A sinking feeling lodged itself in her stomach.Where was he?The streetlights of Hilburg flashed by in streaks of yellow and white, but Lisa barely noticed.Her mind was a storm of emotions.Anger at Edgar for his manipulation.Frustration at herself for not knowing what to do.And most of all, fear.Because Lloyd wasn’t answering.Her last conversation with him replayed in her head...the way he had encouraged her to go to dinner with Edgar, how he had seemed distracted, almost distant.Did he already know what Edgar was planning?And if he did… why had he let her walk into it alone?She swallowed, shaking her head.No.Lloyd wasn’t the type to abandon her.Something had to be wrong.The cab pulled into the Francis family estate, the grand mansion looming over her like a silent judge.She paid the driver an
Chapter 49 : Crisis
The Vanilla Palace restaurant was one of the finest in Hilburg, boasting an interior of polished marble floors, crystal chandeliers, and a quiet, refined atmosphere that reeked of wealth and power. It was the kind of place where the elite came to negotiate behind closed doors, to smile while stabbing each other in the back.Lisa sat across from Edgar Numa, her hands resting in her lap as she gazed absently at the elaborate centerpiece of red roses between them. She wasn’t truly present, her mind was elsewhere, back home, worrying about Lloyd.Where was he right now?Was he safe?Did he even know she was here?Edgar, however, was not one to be ignored.He tapped his fingers against the white linen tablecloth, watching Lisa with a growing smirk that didn’t quite reach his cold eyes.“You know, Lisa, I must say… it’s rather rude to accept a dinner invitation only to mentally wander off to another man” Edgar remarked, his voice laced with condescension.Lisa blinked, snapping out of her
Chapter 48 : Poor Man's Assault
The convoy of dark-colored vehicles rolled to a stop in the desolate parking lot on the outskirts of Hilburg. The streetlights overhead flickered weakly, barely illuminating the cracked pavement.The place was eerily quiet, the kind of silence that came before a storm.Logan Wesley stood near the center of it all, shifting his weight impatiently as he checked his watch.The seconds ticked by, and with each passing moment, unease settled deeper in his chest.Jacob was late.That wasn’t supposed to happen.This entire setup was built on precision... on Jacob following the script, bringing Simon Harland to the designated meeting point. But as Logan scanned the vehicles and the men that had arrived, he saw no sign of the man Morty was after.His stomach twisted with unease.Something was wrong.The door of a nearby SUV creaked open, and Jacob finally emerged. His pace was slow, deliberate, a smug grin resting on his face as he walked toward Logan.Logan wasted no time, storming up to m
Chapter 47 : Police Prep
Morty walked through the corridors of the Hilburg Police Department, his boots echoing against the tiled floor. The familiar scent of gun oil and cold steel filled his nose as he stepped into the department’s armory. Rows of shelves lined the walls, stocked with rifles, shotguns, body armor, and crates of ammunition.He ran his fingers over the cool metal of an assault rifle, his mind racing. This wasn’t just another operation... this was the culmination of weeks of frustration, dead ends, and mounting pressure from his father.Camren’s death had triggered a chain of events that had shaken the city’s underworld, and at the center of it all was a ghost... Simon Harland.A ghost that Morty was finally going to drag into the light.His fingers clenched into fists at the thought.The Draguns had been slippery, always one step ahead, but not this time, not with Logan feeding him information from the inside.Morty turned to one of the officers standing near the racks."How much do we hav
Chapter 46 : Gangsters Prep
The Grimshade Bar was one of the few places in Hilburg that seemed untouched by time.The dim lighting cast long shadows against the wooden walls, the scent of old whiskey and cigar smoke lingering in the air. It was quiet tonight, being in the darker parts of the city, it usually was, but tonight it seemed even more soAt a secluded booth near the back, Lloyd, Ivan, and Jacob sat across from each other.A bottle of whiskey sat at the center of the table, untouched.For once, none of them were in the mood to drink.Jacob leaned back against the booth, arms crossed, a small smirk playing at his lips.“I gotta say” Jacob began, “I didn’t think you’d trust me enough to bring me here, Lloyd”Lloyd, who had been idly spinning a glass between his fingers, gave Jacob a knowing look. “It’s not about trust... It’s about necessity”Jacob chuckled. “Still, It means something”Ivan, however, wasn’t as relaxedhis piercing blue eyes were sharp, locked onto the table as if he were staring through
Chapter 45 : Danger Encroaching
The evening air was crisp against Lisa's skin, as sbe stepped out of the towering Francis Steel office building, her heels clicking softly against the pavement. The long day had left her exhausted, the endless meetings, negotiations, and paperwork.She didn't even know what she was doing half the time.."I thought it was dad's job to take care of this?"She grumbled All she wanted was to go home, take a warm shower, and curl up in bed with Lloyd.But the moment she stepped onto the sidewalk, her plans were interrupted.“Lisa” a smooth, familiar voice called.She stopped in her tracks, exhaling sharply before turning to see Edgar Numa standing near a sleek black luxury car, a bouquet of red roses in his hands.Lisa’s expression immediately hardened. “What the hell are you doing here?”Edgar smirked, stepping forward, his perfectly tailored navy-blue suit barely wrinkling as he moved.“Is that any way to greet an old friend?” he asked smoothly, extending the flowers toward her.Lisa d
