Jack stood at the center of the private chamber.The Iron Chamber, a room reserved only for Nike Wayne and his most trusted henchmen. A smirk curled at the corner of Jack’s lips, calm and unshaken, despite the tension hanging thick in the air like smoke before a fire.Nike’s face contorted with rage. “I’m going to smack that smirk off your ugly face, you worthless nobody!” He roared, tightening his grip on the baseball bat as he charged forward.Jack didn’t budge. Instead, he casually stepped aside just as Nike swung the bat with reckless fury. The whoosh of the swing sliced the air, missing Jack by an inch.“Whoa, easy there, Mickey Mouse.” Jack said with a mocking grin, dodging the second swing with graceful ease. “You swing like a drunk ballerina.”Justin, standing a few feet behind, was hopping from foot to foot like an excited cheerleader. “Come on, Nike! Get him already! Make him pay!”Nike growled through clenched teeth, sweat beading on his brow. “What is this,ping pong?

At the Tantinum Company Headquarters...The towering glass building glimmered under the late morning sun. A flurry of luxury cars lined the vast parking lot while elite guests, dressed in sleek designer suits and gowns, strolled through the revolving doors. Inside the grand event hall, tables were arranged by rank, with high-ranking business lords and noble families occupying the prime front rows, while the lesser-known competitors and their families filled the rear.The Williams family had claimed their usual place at the center, a polished marble table draped in gold-accented cloth. Lord Williams sat tall and composed, his sharp eyes surveying the crowd. Beside him, Mrs Beatrice gave a graceful smile to those who passed. Emilia sat between them, her fingers nervously tapping her clutch.Lord Leo finally entered, dressed in a clean navy suit, his gait relaxed. He nodded to Lord Williams in greeting, then flashed Mrs Beatrice a warm smile. Anna, who had been twirling her wine glass

Jack stood frozen, still holding the phone, his knuckles white as the voice on the other end clicked off. The line went dead with a sharp beep, and silence fell around the Williams family like a shroud. Slowly, Jack lowered the phone from his ear, his smirk long gone, replaced by a hardened stare that hinted at a fire just beginning to burn.Lord Williams, his voice shaky with the weight of dread, stepped forward. “Jack... what did the man say? What does he want with my granddaughter?”Jack exhaled slowly, his gaze heavy. “He didn’t say anything. Just hung up on me.”Mrs Beatrice covered her mouth as her knees gave slightly. Tears streamed from her eyes as she collapsed into the nearest chair. “Why? What could they possibly want with my Emilia?” She cried, her voice trembling with grief. Clark moved quickly beside her, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder.“She’s going to be fine.” Clark said, trying to sound firm. “If we call the police, they’ll find her. They have ways, t

As Lord Leo’s sleek black SUV glided onto the highway, the low hum of the engine was the only sound in the cabin. Jack sat in the passenger seat, his eyes scanning the horizon, while Clark fidgeted in the back, his legs bouncing with nervous energy.“I have a plan.” Clark suddenly declared, sitting forward and gripping the back of Jack’s seat.Lord Leo raised an eyebrow. “Oh? Let’s hear it.”Clark’s eyes sparkled. “We could dress up like pizza delivery guys, walk up to the gate, ring the bell, and when the door opens,bam!,we punch whoever answers in the face and storm inside.”Lord Leo burst into laughter, gripping the steering wheel to steady himself. “Right. We’ll just show up with pepperoni and fists. Brilliant.”Jack smirked. “Actually… if you remove the pizza part and add some stealth, it might not be the worst idea.”Lord Leo glanced at him. “You're serious?”Jack nodded, leaning forward. “Listen. We park far from the compound. Use the cover of night and sneak through the

Just as the lid creaked open, Clark sank deeper into the cold water, submerging his head to avoid being seen. His breath caught in his lungs, and he curled his body into the tightest position he could manage inside the drum. His heart pounded like thunder in his ears as the lid opened wider.“Wait.” A voice came from above. “Boss said to start with the other one first.”Clark didn’t move. He barely blinked. The lid shut with a dull thud, leaving him in darkness once more.Moments later, he heard the sound of another drum being dragged away. Water sloshed. Then came the metallic creak of another lid.Ben Clifford’s voice rang out, smug and cruel. “Wake up, gentlemen.”Cold water splashed across Lord Leo’s face. He sputtered awake, flinging water from his eyes.“You dare!” He shouted, straining against his restraints. “Do you know who I am?!”Ben chuckled as he poured more water on Jack. “Of course I do. Lord Leonardo Mars. The Leo Enterprise prodigy. Impressive resume… not so im