“That was really fast…” The same distorted voice responded, this time with a lesser arrogance.“I didn’t expect you to come this early, Mr. Regal. But I am very impressed. That’s good…”Brian groaned inwardly, and when that didn’t seem enough, he gritted his teeth.“What now? This is the middle of nowhere…” He scoured the ambience, still seated with a little comfort in his car.“I need you to follow every instruction I am about to give to you, Mr. Regal. One wrong move and you will be meeting the corpse of your darling sister…” The warning was loud even though the tone was bearable.“Do you have the key?”“Yes…” Brian’s response would have seemed unsatisfactory, but the word sufficed.“Good. Now get down from your car and shut the door…”Brian obeyed, still scanning silently with his side eyes.“Lock the vehicle and throw the key away…”“What?” Brian furrowed, his expression falling.“You heard me, Mr. Regal. Throw the damn key away, or I will shoot your sister!”“Okay. Fine…” Brian c

Brian narrowed his gaze at the young man approaching him like they were buddies from the past. There was no thought in his mind that he knew the stranger from anywhere, not even the tiniest hint. “I am so happy to finally meet you, I am a huge fan…” The young fellow extended his hand for a handshake, and when Brian ignored him, he huffed. “I guess I deserve that…” He muttered, turning to the two men behind. “I hope my workers didn’t give you a headache…” He pointed, staring at Brian with a wry smile. “I know how stubborn they can be…” He added, slowly returning his gaze to him. “Well…” He cleared his throat, and moving two steps closer, he took a deep breath. “Welcome. It’s a pleasure to meet the almighty Brian Regal. My wife speaks highly of you, and would have loved to be here to meet you. But…” He kept the remaining words to himself, as though saying it could cost him a fortune. “Where is she?” Brian asked, his voice silent but very demanding. Anger flashed in his

“No!” Laura gasped, covering her mouth with both hands while she turned to Brian.“Please, Sir!” She begged, the tears rolling down alongside the thick mucus from her long period of agony.“Don’t let them kill me!” She was ready to go down on her knees, but her bulging eyes couldn’t stop staring at the gun pointed to her head.Scared that any sudden movement could trigger a bullet, she chose to remain as calm as her flustered body could let her.“Tell me if that is the real key, Mr. Regal!” The Boss howled, his voice almost shaking the air around him.“I didn’t come here to play. It took him five years to find this box. I am not about to lose it. It’s either you give me what I want or I am going to ask Spiff here to pull the trigger. I don’t think he is going to miss…”Laura shook her head frantically, more tears falling while she begged for mercy.Her sniffling became loud, her breath as unsteady as a howling wind.“You have a choice to make, Mr. Regal…” The Boss added, resounding the

“What is it?” Brian asked, narrowing his gaze at the old man.Diego lifted his eyes, but he could barely utter a word.“You were right…” He stated, voice still low and slippery.“Right about what?”“About her boyfriend. He did this; he has been speaking with Brick for a while now. He was promised some money.”Brian scoffed. “I see…” He gnashed his teeth, nodding slowly.“It’s always the ones closest to us, Diego. They are the ones who betray us…”The Concierge arched his brows, contemplating those words.The urge to resist the effect was intrusive, but it seemed as though the feeling was irrevocable.He battled with it, his throat running dry until he swallowed hard.“You are right, Master Brian…” He couldn’t say more, attempting to get some relief.“Are you okay? You seem off lately…” Brian had to inquire, looking the old man in the eyes.“I am fine…” Diego lied, and he even knew that he didn’t sound believable.“I have gotten him arrested…” He figured he could be speaking out of con

“What have they done to you?! What happened?!” She almost ran into Brian, but thanks to his quick reflexes.Her hands were trembling with the panic that gripped her; her eyes welled up with tears.The only difference between her and Laura was age; every other thing was the same.Even the age difference needed careful observation before it could be discovered.“Who did this to you?!” She sniffled, her voice quivering from the start.“Tell me…” She held onto her daughter, while more tears streamed from her eyes.“Mum…” Laura called out, her eyes flashing with disapproval.“You don’t need to worry; I am fine…”“How can you tell me that?!” The upset lady snapped, rolling her eyes in annoyance.“Look at you…” She pointed, boiling at the sight of the bandages and plasters. “You look like you had gotten into a fight. Look at what they did to you…”“At least I am fine now. All thanks to Mr. Regal here…”The lady turned, but hardly acknowledged Brian’s presence.She returned her gaze to her da