"It's nothing personal, Curtis," the prisoner said, cracking his knuckles after hitting Curtis with all his strength. "They threatened to kill us if we didn't beat you up," the other prisoner explained, returning to his bunk. Curtis lay on the floor after receiving a severe beating. His body was sore, and he could barely move. "D-don't... Don't worry," Curtis said with effort, coughing in pain. "I don't blame you." At that moment, Curtis began to recall all the moments he had lived in the Stanton mansion and all the bad decisions that had led him to that place. He wondered what would have happened if he had never retaliated against Carson's blow. He closed his eyes and deeply regretted Carson's death. Surely Joseph and he were insulting him from beyond at that precise moment. For a second, Curtis hated himself deeply. "Forgive me, Joseph, please," Curtis said with great emotion as a tear escaped from his eyes. A small family gathering had gathered in the clinic to mourn Carson'
A sudden rain began to fall over the city, soaking everything in its path. Some people took it as God's tears mourning the death of Carson Stanton, while for others, it was merely the onset of the cold winter.Two burly men guarded a gigantic door behind them. They were dressed very elegantly in completely identical black suits.The door they guarded was truly massive. It measured ten meters high and five meters wide, and behind that door lay the Ballmer mansion with all its luxuries.These burly men took shelter from the rain under a small roof at the top of the door. They were there twenty-four hours a day.From a distance, they could see a man approaching slowly, walking in the pouring rain."Do you think he's a threat?" one of the men asked."I don't know. He's alone and doesn't seem very strong," the other man said, "it's better to wait for him to arrive and see what he wants."The stranger in the rain approached closer and closer until they could finally see his face.It was Luc
"It's beautiful!" exclaimed Charles Ballmer as he looked at the document Lucius placed in front of him to be signed.For a mafioso like Charles, having a corporation like the Stantons to cover his crimes was an incredible advantage. It was the most feasible way to expand his shady businesses to other countries."You just have to sign here, and you'll have all the right in the world to freely trade with Stanton Corporation," said Lucius, placing the pen in front of him.Without hesitation, Charles Ballmer stamped his signature on the document, now equipped with a very important tool to become an international mafioso. All ships and trade routes were at his disposal."And now what?" asked Charles Ballmer, handing the pen back to Lucius."The first thing you need to do is to keep your word and get Curtis out of jail.""That's not a problem, Lucius.""Very well. I will go to court to make this document public, and then it will have all the validity in the world, even when Curtis loses his
The astonishment on the coroner's face made Beth alarmed as she realized she had made a grave mistake."How do you say? Of course, it's poison!" Beth took the vial, snatching it from the coroner's hands to examine it herself.The coroner sighed and frowned slightly annoyed by Beth's attitude."It's a very strong anesthetic, a family of belladonna. It's capable of plunging people into a very deep sleep," he explained."A deep sleep?" Beth widened her eyes to their fullest upon hearing this information from the coroner."Very deep. So deep that a person can slow down their heart rate to the point of believing they're dead," he said, gripping Beth's shoulders.Beth fell silent for a moment, assimilating the coroner's words, and it didn't take her long to understand the situation."Carson is alive!" exclaimed Beth."Alive and very close to waking up," the coroner indicated.Beth turned her body and took a few steps away from the coroner, appearing pensive."You should feel joy, Beth. Your
Charles Ballmer was sitting at his private desk, watching as the seconds ticked away on the clock on his wall.It was the first time he would attack a police station, but his deal with Curtis was something he couldn't break.*Knock, knock* came from the office door, indicating someone wanted to enter."Come in!" said Charles Ballmer. It was his butler."Mr. Ballmer, the men are ready and waiting for your order to leave the mansion," he reported."Thank you, Alfonso. Please have them wait for a moment. I would like to speak with them," Charles replied."Right away, sir," said the butler as he went to fetch the men who would carry out the operation.Charles stood up from his chair and began to look out the window with his arms crossed behind his back.Five burly men with the faces of criminals entered the private office while the butler, Alfonso, closed the door."You wanted to see us, sir," said the leader of the men."I just wanted to make sure you were clear on what you were going to
Carson had appeared out of nowhere, accompanied by a police guard. They were immediately shocked to encounter that unexpected scene.Inspector Ascanio was completely unconscious on the prison floor while Curtis had his hands on the lock of the gate, preparing to open the door with the keys.Curtis, too, was petrified to see Carson enter through that door. It was the first time he had witnessed someone coming back to life. He stood completely still there, as if he had seen a ghost."Carson..." Curtis said, astonished, "Is it really you?" Curtis asked without moving a muscle."You thought you could get rid of me that easily?" Carson joked, smiling slightly.The guard accompanying him finally reacted and shouted at Curtis."What are you doing with those keys? Why is Inspector Ascanio unconscious?" The police officer quickly took a definitive stance against Curtis."He handed me the keys into my own hands and then said he was feeling very unwell. He passed out, and I wanted to get out to
The weeks passed, and gradually people began to forget about the Carson incident. Everyone turned the page, and no one asked any more questions about what had happened.Everything returned to normal, and Curtis resumed his role as the head of Stanton Mansion, despite having many enemies who wanted to take away his inheritance. He continued to enforce his rules.Every year, the Stanton family hosted an art exhibition at one of the country's most important museums. It was a way to showcase to the world the good taste and distinction of that surname.It was the first year without Joseph Stanton as the president of the exhibition, and instead, Curtis would obviously be representing the Stanton family.Everyone in the mansion had prepared with great excitement for this occasion. It was an elegant party where they could mingle with very important and powerful people.The Stanton siblings had hired famous designers to create exclusive outfits for the occasion. Charles Ballmer and Kim Ballmer
Beth and the Stanton brothers arrived at the Stanton mansion's parking lot to board the limousine that would take them to the museum where the art exhibition would be held.Ámbar accompanied them despite Beth's negativity and disdain. She persisted in belittling Ámbar, but Carson had been somewhat more sociable with her since he returned from the coma.Baxter was very well-dressed for the occasion, and his suit was much more elegant than the attire Curtis had chosen."Take us to the art exhibition right away," Beth ordered upon arrival."I can't leave without Curtis," Baxter didn't budge despite Beth's attempt to assert authority.Beth frowned and arched her eyebrow to express her annoyance. She placed her hands on her hips and shouted again."I'm not asking for a favor, I'm giving you an order," said Beth.Baxter smiled faintly as he lowered his gaze. Then he sighed and looked at Beth."We've been through this a thousand times. I know you want me to disobey Mr. Curtis, but this time