Frank sat frozen in his chair, staring at his father with wide, disbelieving eyes. The words Terry had just spoken echoed in his mind, refusing to make sense."What did you just say?" Frank finally managed.Terry sighed heavily, returning to his desk chair. "Harry isn't my son, Frank. He's my brother's son. Your uncle's child.""Uncle?" Frank's voice was barely above a whisper. "You have a brother? Since when?""Had a brother," Terry corrected. "He died when Harry was just a few weeks old. Complications from an illness. Harry's mother—she couldn't handle losing him. She passed away shortly after, some say from a broken heart, others say suicide. We never really knew for sure."Frank's mind reeled. "Why didn't you ever tell me this?""Because it wasn't relevant," Terry said dismissively. "We took Harry in, raised him as our own. He was a Solomon in every way that mattered. What difference did the biology make?""What difference?" Frank stood up abruptly. "Dad, I've spent my entire life

The café buzzed with the usual lunchtime energy—the hiss of the espresso machine, the clink of cups against saucers, the low hum of conversation. Harry pushed through the door at exactly one PM, scanning the room until he spotted Mona sitting by the window.She looked different from the last time he'd seen her. Gone was the carefully applied makeup and styled hair. Her face was bare, pale, with dark circles under her eyes. She wore simple clothes—a plain sweater and jeans—and her hands fidgeted nervously with a napkin on the table.When she saw Harry, Mona stood up so quickly she nearly knocked over her chair. "Harry. Thank you for coming."Harry walked over and sat down across from her without acknowledging the greeting. His arms crossed over his chest, his expression carefully neutral. "You have fifteen minutes, Mona. Start talking."Mona sat back down slowly, her eyes already beginning to water. "I... I don't know where to start.""How about with the truth?" Harry suggested coldly.

Harry pushed back his chair, the legs scraping loudly against the café floor. He looked down at Mona's tear-stained face one final time."One more thing," Harry said coldly. "Tell Alice that our friendship is done. I want nothing to do with you, her, or anyone in your family ever again.""Harry, please—" Mona reached for him again.But Harry had already turned and walked away, weaving through the café tables without looking back. Behind him, Mona's sobs grew louder, drawing more uncomfortable stares from the other patrons.Harry stepped out into the afternoon sunlight, taking a deep breath of fresh air. The meeting had gone exactly as he'd expected—Mona playing the victim, making excuses, trying to manipulate him with tears and confessions of feelings."At least it's over," Harry muttered, heading back toward TechNova.When Harry returned to the office, he found the tech development department in chaos. People were clustered around computers, talking urgently on phones, their faces ti

Michael placed a firm hand on Harry's shoulder. "Harry, I need you to be extremely careful now. Whoever did this is dangerous and clearly has resources.""I understand, Mr. Chen," Harry replied, still staring at the smoldering ruins of the warehouse."I'm serious," Michael insisted. "Watch your back. Vary your routes home. Let someone know where you are. If you notice anything suspicious—"Harry's phone suddenly rang, interrupting Michael mid-sentence. Harry pulled it out and froze when he saw the caller ID: Frank Solomon."Everything okay?" Michael asked, noticing Harry's expression."It's... it's my brother," Harry said quietly. "Or the person who used to be my brother.""You don't have to answer," Michael suggested.But Harry's curiosity overrode his better judgment. Why would Frank be calling now, of all times? Right after the warehouse burned down?Harry answered, his voice wary. "What do you want, Frank?""Harry!" Frank's voice came through, unusually cheerful. "I've been trying

From inside his car parked a block away, Frank watched the attack unfold with growing disbelief.He'd paid those thugs good money to beat Harry into submission, to break bones and send a clear message: back off from everything Frank considered his territory.But what Frank was witnessing made no sense.Harry moved like water through the attackers.When a bat swung at his head, Harry ducked with impossible precision. When they tried to corner him, Harry slipped through gaps that shouldn't have existed.And most disturbing of all, the few times the bats actually connected with Harry's body, he barely seemed to notice."What the hell?" Frank whispered, leaning forward in his seat.One of the attackers swung with full force at Harry's ribs. Frank saw the bat make solid contact, heard the crack of wood against flesh.But Harry just grabbed the bat, yanked it from the man's hands, and used it to sweep another attacker's legs out from under him."He should be down," Frank muttered. "He shoul