1 AM, at the small family residence of Daniel Grandier…Knock! Knock! Knock! The bedroom door was suddenly pounded with urgency. Jacob’s voice echoed through the hallway, calling for his father.Olivia woke up first. She shook Daniel awake, then got out of bed, walked to the door, and opened it.“Mom!” Jacob looked panicked. Even in the cold of the early morning, his face was drenched in sweat.“What’s wrong?” Olivia asked, her tone sharp. “You know you’re not supposed to disturb us like this.”“I’m sorry, Mom. But there are soldiers here.”“What? Soldiers?”“Yes, Mom. They forced their way in. They said they need to talk to Dad.”By this point, Daniel had already sat up in bed. He wasn’t fully awake yet, but he was alert enough to hear and process what Jacob was saying.“Soldiers are here for me?” Daniel asked, his voice groggy.“Yes, Dad. They’re in the living room right now,” Jacob replied.“Why are they looking for me? What do they want to talk about?”Jacob shrugged. “They’re wa

Early in the morning, Daniel and his family were already in a frenzy.Olivia was shoving clothes into suitcases. Jacob and Barnie were prepping the cars in the garage.Daniel, with Lucas’s help, was emptying the contents of the safe into another suitcase.They planned to leave their home that very morning.This sudden decision was made by Daniel. For the time being, they’d stay at a hotel on the other side of the city. Tomorrow, once their alternative living arrangements outside the city were ready, the five of them would fly to their destination.Why had Daniel made this abrupt decision? Well, to get as far away from Scott as possible.After the soldiers’ visit last night, Daniel had been consumed by thoughts of the worst-case scenarios that could befall him and his family. The soldier’s whispered warning made it clear that Scott was planning something terrible for him. And Daniel suspected it had something to do with his attempt to enlist Josh’s help.Truthfully, he was disappointed

Right after Lucas let out a loud, agonizing scream, he passed out. Scott released his grip, and Lucas collapsed face-first onto the ground.Jacob and Barnie were frozen in place, their faces ghostly pale. Even Olivia, who had been indifferent earlier, was now visibly shaken. Her legs trembled, and her shoulders quivered uncontrollably.And what about Daniel?He stood there, mouth agape, eyes wide open. Though no words came out, it was clear he was just as shaken as his wife.Scott turned his sharp, cold gaze back to Daniel and said, "You might think Lucas’s hands can still be saved if you rush him to the hospital. Unfortunately, you’re wrong. I didn’t just break the bones in his arms—I crushed them. Lucas will spend the rest of his life unable to use his hands. And don’t blame me. Blame yourself. This was your decision."After delivering those words, Scott turned on his heel and walked back to his car. He left, leaving Daniel and his family in a suffocating silence. Their eyes were al

“Luisa, you…”“Help me, Scott. Help me get rid of this discomfort.”Scott gazed deeply into his wife’s eyes. Was Luisa asking him relieve her discomfort by having sex? That was what she meant?Well, it wasn’t out of the question. In many cases, for some people, intimate physical communication could help them alleviate stress, make them relax, because this sexual activity stimulates the massive production of endorphins. But, he hadn’t come home with that intention. Purely, he was only worried about his wife’s health.But on the other hand, he felt guilty for having made her feel uncomfortable. And because he had to be responsible for that, the option she presented became more and more reasonable. And wouldn’t it be very disappointing if he chose to reject that option?“Do it. Do whatever you want with my body. Make me feel comfortable again,” Luisa asked.Scott swallowed. His left hand began to massage Luisa’s breasts, slowly at first, then when Luisa responded by closing her eyes

As noon approached, Scott’s black McLaren pulled into the military base of Battalion I. Stepping out of the car, he was immediately greeted by Zach’s subordinate and guided to the room where Zach was waiting for him.Upon entering the room, Scott found Josh sitting at a table, his hands cuffed and resting on the surface. Josh looked up at Scott, his expression still arrogant and cunning as ever."Tell me what information you’ve managed to extract from him," Scott said as he walked toward Zach.Zach nodded. He picked up a tablet from the table, swiped through some files, and handed it to Scott once he was close enough.Clearly and firmly, Zach listed the points he had noted from his repeated interrogations of Josh. The fact that Josh was no longer lying in bed with IV tubes attached to his arm showed that the cunning man’s condition had significantly improved.Scott listened carefully to what Zach was explaining. Occasionally, he glanced at Josh, who still dared to meet his gaze despit