2025-03-29 01:47:31
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From Prison Bars To Gold Bars. 156. Hidden Agenda
Ivy and Van worked tirelessly to uncover the truth about Margaret's involvement in Ivy's grandfather's death. They spent countless hours poring over documents, interviewing witnesses, and following up on leads.As they dug deeper, Ivy began to realize that her family's company was involved in some shady dealings. There were whispers of embezzlement, bribery, and even murder.Ivy's eyes widened as she read through a particularly damning document. "Van, look at this," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.Van leaned over her shoulder, his eyes scanning the page. "What is it?" he asked, his voice filled with concern.Ivy pointed to a paragraph highlighted in yellow. "It says here that Margaret was involved in a plot to sabotage a rival company. And it looks like she was willing to do whatever it took to get ahead."Van's eyes narrowed, his face set in a determined expression. "We need to take this to the authorities," he said. "Margaret needs to be held accountable for her actions.
From Prison Bars To Gold Bars. 157. Web Of Deceit
Ivy's team worked tirelessly to uncover the truth behind the sinister plot. They scoured the company's records, interviewed employees, and followed up on leads.But despite their best efforts, Ivy couldn't shake the feeling that they were missing something. She had a nagging sense that there was a traitor in their midst, someone who was feeding information to the enemy.Ivy's eyes narrowed as she thought about the possibilities. Who could it be? Someone on her team? A colleague? Or maybe even someone closer to her?As she pondered the question, Ivy's phone rang. It was Emily, her trusted friend and confidant."Ivy, I need to talk to you about something," Emily said, her voice low and serious.Ivy's heart skipped a beat. What did Emily want to talk about?"What is it, Emily?" Ivy asked, her voice cautious.Emily hesitated before speaking. "I think I know who the traitor is, Ivy."Ivy's eyes widened in shock. Who was it?"Who?" Ivy demanded.Emily took a deep breath before speaking. "It
From Prison Bars To Gold Bars. 158. A Difficult Decision
Ivy sat in her office, staring at the wall as she tried to process her emotions. She was torn between her anger and hurt over Van's betrayal, and her desire to forgive him and move forward.As she sat there, Ivy's mind wandered back to the early days of their relationship. She had loved Van with all her heart, and she had thought that he felt the same way.But now, Ivy wasn't so sure. Van's betrayal had made her question everything, and she didn't know if she could ever trust him again.Just as Ivy was starting to feel overwhelmed, Emily walked into the office."Hey, Ivy, how's it going?" Emily asked, noticing the look of distress on Ivy's face.Ivy sighed, rubbing her temples. "I don't know, Emily. I'm torn. Part of me wants to forgive Van and try to move forward, but another part of me wants to end our relationship and walk away."Emily nodded, her expression understanding. "I know it's not an easy decision, Ivy. But you need to think about what's best for you."Ivy nodded, taking a
From Prison Bars To Gold Bars. 159. A Thorny Path
Ivy and Van spent the rest of the day talking and working through their issues. They discussed the embezzlement, Margaret's betrayal, and Van's role in it all.It was a difficult and emotional conversation, but Ivy was determined to work through their problems and rebuild their relationship.As the sun began to set, Ivy and Van decided to take a break and get some dinner. They went to a quiet restaurant near Ivy's office, where they sat down at a table and tried to relax.But despite their best efforts, the tension between them was still palpable. Ivy couldn't help but think about Van's betrayal, and Van couldn't help but feel guilty and ashamed.As they ate their dinner, Ivy brought up the topic of Margaret. "Van, what are we going to do about Margaret?" she asked, her voice firm.Van hesitated before speaking. "I don't know, Ivy. I know she's your grandmother, but she's also a criminal. She needs to be held accountable for what she's done."Ivy nodded, her mind racing. She knew that
From Prison Bars To Gold Bars. 160. A New Lead
Ivy's eyes scanned the office, taking in the scene before her. The room was in disarray, with papers scattered everywhere and furniture overturned.Rachel stood beside her, looking worried. "I'm so sorry, Ivy. I feel like I should have done something to prevent this."Ivy shook her head. "It's not your fault, Rachel. This is Margaret's doing. She's trying to intimidate me."Van 's voice was firm. "We won't let her get away with it. We'll find a way to stop her."Ivy nodded, her mind racing. She knew that she had to take action, and fast.As they began to clean up the office, Ivy's phone rang. She answered it, and a voice spoke on the other end."Ivy, you're getting close to the truth. Meet me at the old warehouse at 5pm if you want to know what's really going on."The voice hung up, leaving Ivy staring at her phone in confusion."What is it?" Van asked, noticing the look on Ivy's face.Ivy hesitated before speaking. "I just got a mysterious phone call. The person wants me to meet the
From Prison Bars To Gold Bars. 161. A Deep Connection
Ivy's eyes were fixed on Emily's face, her mind racing with the implications of what Emily had just told her. Richard Langley, one of the city's most powerful businessmen, was connected to Margaret's embezzlement scheme."What do you mean?" Ivy asked, her voice firm.Emily hesitated before speaking. "I've been going through some financial records, and I found a transaction between Margaret's company and Langley's company. It looks like they're working together."Ivy's eyes narrowed, her mind racing. This was a major breakthrough. If they could prove that Langley was involved in the embezzlement scheme, they might be able to take him down.But as Ivy thought about it, she realized that it wouldn't be easy. Langley was a powerful man with a lot of connections. He would stop at nothing to protect himself."We need to be careful," Ivy said, her voice firm. "Langley is not someone to be trifled with."Emily nodded, her expression serious. "I know. But I think we have a good chance of takin
From Prison Bars To Gold Bars. 162. Family Betrayal
Ivy's eyes locked onto Langley's, her heart racing with anticipation. What did he have that she would do anything to protect?Langley smiled, a sly smile spreading across his face. "You'll do anything to protect your family's company, won't you, Ivy?" he said.Ivy's eyes narrowed, her mind racing. What was Langley talking about?But before she could respond, Langley dropped another bombshell. "I have evidence that your family's company is involved in the embezzlement scheme," he said.Ivy's eyes widened in shock, her heart racing with fear. What was Langley talking about? Her family's company was not involved in the embezzlement scheme.But Langley just smiled, a triumphant smile spreading across his face. "I have documents, Ivy. Documents that prove your family's company is involved in the scheme."Ivy's eyes narrowed, her mind racing. This was a lie. Her family's company was not involved in the embezzlement scheme.But as she looked at Langley, Ivy saw something that made her blood
From Prison Bars To Gold Bars. 163. A Sinister Plot
Ivy and her uncle arrived at the police station, determined to finally uncover the truth. They were greeted by Detective James, who looked grim."What's going on?" Ivy asked, her heart racing with anticipation.Detective James hesitated before speaking. "We've received a tip that Margaret is planning to leave the country. We need to act fast if we're going to catch her."Ivy's eyes narrowed, her mind racing. They couldn't let Margaret get away."What's the plan?" Ivy asked, her voice firm.Detective James nodded. "We're going to set up a sting operation at the airport. We'll catch Margaret as she's trying to leave."Ivy nodded, her heart racing with excitement. This was it. They were finally going to catch Margaret.As they arrived at the airport, Ivy's nerves were on edge. She knew that this was a high-risk operation, but she was determined to see it through.Detective James gave the signal, and the police officers moved in. Ivy watched as they surrounded Margaret, who was trying to
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231. The Storm
The door to the warehouse banged open, hard enough that everyone inside jumped.Carla spun, gun raised. Boyd was already halfway out of his chair, reaching for his own piece.Then they saw him.Van. He staggered inside. Blood streaked down one temple, jacket torn, eyes wild. Breathing like he’d outrun death itself."Jesus Christ," Carla gasped, lowering her gun."Van—"But he was already collapsing against the wall, sliding down, chest heaving. The door creaked shut behind him, sealing the dark back in.Louisa dropped the flash drive she’d been clutching for hours and ran to him. "Are you—are you hit?"Van waved her off, voice raw. "Not shot. Just… tired of running."Boyd knelt, grabbing his shoulder hard. "Talk to me. What happened? Did the deal go bad?"Van laughed — harsh, bitter, humorless. "Wasn’t a deal. Was a damn execution waiting to happen. Ramos sold me out to Barron’s people. Seven men with guns. All set to take me in — or take me out."Dan groaned from his corner, cradling
230. Midnight Deal
The night swallowed him whole. Van moved like a shadow through the back alleys, boots silent against cracked pavement. No headlights. No noise, just the hush of a city holding its breath.The old mill loomed ahead — dead and forgotten.Rust covered the walls like rot, windows smashed out years ago.But tonight, it was alive again. Lights burned inside. Dim. Yellow. Flickering.Van’s gut clenched, there were too many lights.Too many cars parked just out of sight.He checked his pistol — loaded, safety off.One extra mag in his jacket.Not much.But it would have to do.He stepped through the busted gate, every nerve tight.His contact — Ramos — stood near the loading dock, arms folded, a cigarette glowing in his hand."Van," Ramos greeted, voice rough. Like gravel chewed up in a blender. "You actually came.Didn’t think you had the stones anymore."Van kept his face blank. "Let’s skip the warm-up.You got the guns?"Ramos shrugged. "You got the cash?"Van tossed a duffel bag at his fe
229. Regrouping
The sedan rolled to a stop at the docks, wheels crunching over loose gravel.The old warehouse loomed ahead — rusted, half-abandoned, but still standing.Safehouse Two.For now.Van was the first out, scanning the shadows.Nothing moved but the water lapping against the pilings.It was good... for now.Boyd staggered out next, coughing from the smoke that still clung to his lungs.He looked back at the road, half expecting black SUVs to come roaring around the bend.None yet.But he knew it was only a matter of time. They all did. Inside the warehouse, Carla flicked the light switch. Nothing. It was obvious that power was long dead here.She cursed and grabbed the old lantern from the shelf, sparking weak yellow light into the gloom. "Great. We’re living like rats now," she muttered.Dan slumped against a wall, wincing as he peeled back the bloody cloth from his arm. The wound was deeper than he let on but no one had time to properly check on him yet. Louisa stood frozen in the midd
228. Counterstrike
The first sign came quiet. Too quiet.Carla’s laptop froze mid-search.The screen flickered once, then died.She cursed under her breath, smacking the side."That’s not normal," she muttered.But by the time she turned to call Van, the lights in the safehouse cut out too.Dark.Total dark.Van's instincts snapped awake.He grabbed Boyd by the collar, yanked him back from the window."Down. Now."A second later, the glass exploded inward — a single sniper round carving through where Boyd’s head had been.Dan was already rolling for the back door, weapon drawn.But he barely made it two steps before the walls shuddered — an explosion outside, close enough to rattle the whole building."They're here!" Dan bellowed."Barron's men — they’re hitting us now!"Louisa screamed, clutching the flash drive like it was her last tether to life.Carla grabbed her arm, dragging her toward the back.Her voice was sharp but tight with fear."Move! Go! Go!"Van grabbed the rifle from under the couch — o
227. The Leak
By dawn, the first leak was already live.A small, half-forgotten blog out of Riverside — City Watchdog — dropped the bomb.No flashy headlines. No screaming sirens.Just cold facts: financial records, timestamps, and the name of a sitting state senator wired half a million from one of Barron’s shell companies.No context. No accusation, just enough to light the fuse.Van watched the post go viral in real time.At first, nobody cared. Then, somewhere around seven AM, a bigger account picked it up — a political gossip page with just enough clout to make people squint.By noon, national blogs were calling it "The Slush Fund Scandal."At around two PM, the senator’s office released a frantic denial.That’s when Van knew they’d drawn blood.Boyd let out a bark of laughter when the news hit the TV in the safehouse."Look at them squirm! Man, they thought they were gods. Now they’re crying on camera like school kids who were caught cheating."Dan just grunted, never looking away from the wi
226. The Accountant's Secret
The safehouse smelled like old coffee and fear when Louisa Martin finally showed up.She came alone, wrapped in a cheap raincoat two sizes too big, hair hidden under a beanie.Her eyes darted everywhere — ceiling corners, dark windows, even the cracks in the floor like they might bite her.Van watched her quietly from across the room, arms folded.She looked nothing like the sharp financial shark Keller described.This woman was frayed at the edges, like someone who hadn’t slept properly in months.Keller made the introductions. "Louisa. This is Van. Van — Louisa."Louisa’s voice was brittle as glass. "I know who he is."Her eyes flicked to Van, then away again like looking at him too long might get her killed.Van didn’t bother with small talk, time was blood now. "You worked for Barron, that means you know where the bodies are buried. You talk — I make sure you stay breathing.You stay quiet — and you’ll be next on his list."Louisa’s laugh was short and humorless."Sweetheart, I’ve
225. Next Move
By mid-morning, Van couldn’t step outside without seeing his own face staring back from every screen.Some called him a vigilante.Others spat the word criminal like poison.But the city was buzzing, and Barron’s name was finally dragged through the dirt alongside his own.Van didn’t care about the headlines. He cared about the numbers Carla showed him — accounts traced, shell companies linked, wires exposed like raw nerves.Money. That’s where they would cut next.She tapped the screen, her nail chipped and trembling slightly."See this? Phoenix Holdings. Looks clean on the outside, but dig deeper and it’s washing Barron’s trafficking money through luxury imports. Art, watches, cars—hell, probably gold toilets for his mansion."Van grunted. His mind wasn’t on art.It was on Lenny, still fighting for his life three floors up."You said we could burn him financially. How?"Carla smirked, but it didn’t reach her eyes. She looked as tired as he felt."We leak it. Quiet first — to the rig
224. First Blood
The attack came at dawn.Silent. Surgical. Cruel.Lenny never saw it coming. He was stepping out of his apartment, headed to meet Van at the old mill, when the van screeched up.Three men in black masks.No words — just steel pipes and fists.Neighbors heard the commotion but kept their doors shut.Everyone knew better. When Barron’s men came calling, you looked away.By the time the van peeled off, Lenny lay in a broken heap, blood pooling beneath his head.His niece’s picture, which he always carried in his pocket, fluttered to the ground, soaked red.★★★Van got the call an hour later.Nora's voice shook."They nearly killed him, Van. Lenny’s in ICU. Skull fractures, broken ribs. They meant to send a message."Van stood frozen in the middle of Keller’s living room, heart pounding like a war drum.Carla looked up from her laptop, face pale."This is escalation. Barron’s going full scorched earth now. If we don’t hit back hard—"Van was already moving.★★★At the hospital, Lenny lay
223. Raising An Army
Van’s phone buzzed just past midnight, it was an unknown number but he answered without hesitation.A familiar voice, rough and low, crackled through."You said if we ever wanted payback, we should call. Well, we’re calling."It was Lenny — an old cellmate from the prison days. A man who’d lost his niece to the same trafficking chain Bianca had just escaped.Van’s chest tightened."Where are you?""Abandoned mill off 43rd Street. And we’re not alone."Van grabbed his jacket and keys.This was the sign he’d been waiting for.★★★The mill was a ruin of rust and cracked windows, but inside, the air was electric.Dozens of faces turned when Van stepped in.Ex-cons, street runners and women with haunted eyes — survivors of Barron’s network.At the front stood Lenny, his massive arms crossed over his chest. Beside him, a thin woman with a scar along her jaw — Nora, who had once testified and then vanished from public sight.Van took it in: a gathering of the discarded and the damned.People
