Isaac's eyes kept sliding from the phone screen to Dennis's face and back again; his son's cries pierced his heart like a blade, worse than any broken bone could. "Promise me," Isaac choked out, "promise me you won't kill my son if I tell you the truth.""I don't make promises to men who had a hand in what happened to my family," Dennis responded. "Speak; I don't have time to waste on you.""It was the Quinn and Duck Family. They gave the order. Your father owned land in the south, prime land; It was large, and everyone wanted even a piece of it, but your father refused to negotiate with anyone for it.”He continued, “Terry Quinn wanted it for a resort. He offered to buy it, and your father refused, said it belonged to his only son, that it wasn't his to sell." Isaac's breath hitched. "Both families were furious, They brought it to the organization. The three Grand Lords backed them because they wanted something from your father too. I don't know what; I'd only just joined back then,

Outside Agnes's apartment, two of Chief Luke’s men stood watch in the cold. The chief had left strict orders: keep a constant eye on the house and make sure nothing happened to them.Inside Luke’s mind, terror still gripped him. Dennis’s chilling words replayed over and over, haunting his every waking second."I still can't believe what went down the other day," one guard muttered, shaking his head. "I never knew Madam Agnes had backing like that. Tito and John almost got the chief killed.""Never underestimate anyone," the second guard replied. "Who would have thought she had a nephew who is a soldier?"The first guard cracked open a bottle of beer, took a long swig, and slammed the empty bottle onto the table beside them. The other reached for a bottle of water."Do you honestly think the Chief's plan is going to work?" the first guard asked, lowering his voice as he leaned against the table. "Trying to use this crisis to make peace with Agnes's nephew just so he can finally get a f

"Everything, Agnes," he said softly. "You almost ruined my life simply by existing in it." "You monster!" Agnes spat, her eyes burning with pure hatred. "Weren't you the one who took everything from me? You stole my home, robbed my accounts, and ran off with your mistress!" Jason took two steps forward into the room. "Point of correction, my dear," he said, tilting his head with a smile. "She is my wife now, not my mistress. Learn the difference." "It's the same disgusting difference!" In a flash, Jason closed the distance between them, crouching down and grabbing her chin between his fingers. He squeezed tightly, forcing her face up so she had no choice but to look into his dark eyes. "You look pathetic, Agnes," he whispered, his eyes scanning her terrified face. "You look like a woman who hasn't been touched or desired in a very long time." His thumb dragged roughly across her cheekbone. "How about I give you one last memory before I decide which buyer gets to own you?" Agnes

Dennis dragged the half-conscious guard down the hallway. When they reached the heavy doors of Jason’s private office, Dennis didn’t bother using the brass handle. He grabbed the guard by the back of his collar and slammed his head violently against the wood. The lock snapped under the impact, and the massive doors swung wide open.Inside the room, Jason wasn’t alone. Standing on either side of the office were four of Jason’s strongest, most heavily armed enforcers. On the far side of the room, Agnes was forced onto her knees, her wrists bound tightly behind her. Beside her, Max and Asher cowered against her, their small shoulders shaking with quiet sobs. One of the guards stood directly behind them, the metal barrel of his handgun pressed firmly against Agnes’s temple, while another guard aimed his weapon at the boys.Jason was sitting comfortably in his leather chair, an evil grin spreading across his face.“Welcome to the party, Dennis!” Jason said, his voice dripping with condesc

At the Blackwell Mansion, the estate was dead silent. Sean walked slowly into his bedroom, his shoulders heavy with exhaustion. It had been a long night, and his mind felt sluggish. He was about to strip off his jacket when a cold draft brushed against his skin. He froze, wiping his eyes slowly as he surveyed the room. The glass door leading out to his balcony was swinging open. Sean frowned, stepping closer. “Didn’t I lock it? He thought, his mind racing. “I’m sure I locked it before I went downstairs, didn’t I? No, I know for a fact I locked it. He felt a surge of fear gripped his chest, he rushed over, grabbed the handle, and slammed the door shut, locking it tight. Before he could even turn around, a scream echoed from outside his room. Sean pulled his bedroom door open and sprinted down the corridor. At the same time, his father, Dickson Blackwell, rushed out of his private study, followed closely by Gideon and three armed bodyguards. They tore down the grand staircase