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From Prison Bars To Gold Bars. 58. A Fraud?
After a while, Cassie returned with the things she got for him. She knocked on the bathroom door. "Mr Everest, the towels are here. Is there anything else you'd like me to do?""No, thanks. I'll be sure to let you know if I need anything."Van was thinking of the best way to get his revenge. He couldn't just march straight to his ex in laws house and tell them who he actually was, he needed a plan. One that would make Moses suffer for the way he treated Van like he was nothing. One that would make his ex fiancee regret leaving him. A plan that would bring the Hartley family- and all those responsible for his unfair prison sentence– to their knees. But first, he needed to get himself together. He got out of the bathroom, with only a towel around his waist, and when Cassie saw him, her face flushed and she had to look away. "Tell me more about yourself." He said. It wasn't a part of his plan but he really wanted to know more about her. Cassie didn't want to reveal her identity just
From Prison Bars To Gold Bars. 59. A Fraud II
After dismissing the security, Shaun marched straight to the hotel and after getting Van's room number from the reception, he barged in without so much as a knock or a warning. He thought that if he caught both of them in bed together, it would make his claims more solid, and firing her would be easier. He was surprised, however, to find Cassie seated with the guest, casually chatting like they were friends. "How dare you!" He spat angrily. "Who the hell do you think you are to sit with a guest? Is this what you're supposed to be doing?!""Mr Preston, I –""Shut the hell up! You are an attendant, and rather than doing your actual job, you decided to frolic here with a guest?!"Cassie quickly rose to her feet and walked over to him. "Mr Preston, I'm truly sorry, I was only doing as I was told by Mr Everest. If this is an offense, I had no idea, because the policy of this establishment states that all workers must obey the orders of the customers, regardless of the situation.""Stupid
From Prison Bars To Gold Bars. 60. New Company
Van didn't understand what Shaun meant by that, but he didn't care. He knew he wasn't a fraud, so there was no need for him to get scared. Shaun dialed a number and asked them to send in the boss. "Oh you're so going to get it now." He smiled devilishly. "Cassie, please take a seat, I have a feeling this might take a while." Van said in a calm tone, but Cassie was too concerned to move. "You don't understand sir," she said. "..the boss he asked them to send in is–""--okay, what seems to be the problem here?" A tall, slender lady walked in, scanning the faces of the three of them. She briefly glanced at Cassie who was still on her knees, then walked over to Shaun. "Why did you call me here?""That's the boss's daughter." Cassie whispered to Van. "She is the most ruthless person I've ever met. And she's also a cop."A cop huh? So Shaun really did call the police on him. "Miss Brenda, this thief here is causing a ruckus at our hotel." Shaun reported with enthusiasm in his voice. He
From Prison Bars To Gold Bars. 61. Down Payment
"Are you fucking kidding me?" Shaun questioned in disbelief. "You want to buy this place? Is that even possible? Even if it was, what makes you think that a simpleton like you can afford it? You must be out of your mind!"He must be a scam, only mentioning something that was obviously impossible just to intimidate him. How was it possible for one person to buy and claim ownership of a business that wasn't even owned by one person?The Golden Touch hotel and La Belle Cuisine were the first and only establishment in the whole city to be rated seven stars, and for the whole thing to come into existence, four members of the Golden Touch club had to come together and contribute, with Bruce Harper being the man with the highest share. Everyone one knew how fancy and expensive it was, it even became a popular spot for tourists from other cities. Now an ordinary boy was aiming to own such establishment. "There's no need for all the unnecessary story you're saying, all you have to do, is ca
From Prison Bars To Gold Bars. 62. Name Your Price
Shaun couldn't believe his eyes. Van actually made a payment of twelve billion. He had hoped that he was a fraud and that he would be able to humiliate him. He never expected things to turn out that way. Simultaneously, Bruce Harper had just received a call from the accountant who reported that someone had just made a deposit of twelve billion dollars, and it wasn't specified what it was for. The man immediately dialed Shaun's number to make more inquiries. "Mr Harper, I was just about to call you,""What is going on over there?" He demanded. "What is this about a mystery deposit I'm hearing?" "Sir, the thing is, a young man claims to be interested in buying your business. Both the hotel and the restaurant! He says that the twelve billion is down payment." Shaun explained. "Are you serious?" Bruce was doubtful about what he heard. "Who on earth would be bold enough to make such a move?"Bruce was always notified by his accountant whenever a significant amount of money entered the
From Prison Bars To Gold Bars. 63. A Companion
Just like any other man, Van desired wealth, fame, and women; but it wasn't for callous reasons. He wanted to be rich, so that no one would ever look down on him, ever again. He wanted to be respected. He desired fame, well, because most times, no one ever cared about someone they didn't know. Then finally, Van wanted a woman to call his own, he thought he had found a forever friend in Bianca, but she proved him wrong painfully. Now that he had been blessed with a second chance, he was going to make sure he lived a fulfilled life. Of the three things he wanted, Van had been able to acquire two; wealth and a woman to call his own. All that was left was the fame. He wanted to make a name for himself within and outside Brimesville, and the only way he could do that was by growing his business empire all over the city. Even after paying the twelve billion, Van's account balance barely took any damage and he was pleased. Knowing that such an amount of money existed and was available
From Prison Bars To Gold Bars. 64. New Owner
Shaun only mentioned the higher amount, intentionally leaving out the other part, because he felt that if he told Van that they were willing to accept thirty six million, and he ended up buying it, his life would be over. He had been rude to Van without knowing that was now rich, and he feared that he was going to lose his job. Without taking so much as a second to think about the offer, Van made the payment of the remaining twenty eight billion, making him the new owner of the Golden Touch Series. "When do I get the deed to the place?" He asked with a dry expression on his face. Shaun was shell shocked, for someone to make such payments without even thinking twice, definitely he had two times, or even three times the amount in his account."I-- I'll talk to Mr Harper." He stammered. "Good. Now Shaun, I'm sure I don't need to tell you that your behavior today was very unacceptable," Van's voice was stern, and Shaun's heart was pounding like a jack hammer in his chest. This was i
From Prison Bars To Gold Bars. 65. Mother And Son
About two hours later, Van was relaxing in the hotel room, Cassie and Shaun had gone back to their posts. Despite his protests, Cassie begged him to let her finish her last day as a waitress before assuming the post of a manager. He didn't understand why, but he gave her his permission. The news that the ownership of the hotel had just changed hands to a new person quickly spread around the hotel and the restaurant. Cassie was never one to gossip, so she didn't say anything about it. Shaun however, could not stop talking about it. "What?! Are you sure of what you're saying?" A waiter asked. The rush hour was over, so they had the time to talk . "That guy who walked in with Cassie earlier bougt the restaurant?""And the hotel!" Another replied. "Damn, that's amazing. But when I saw him, he looked pretty young, and he wasn't even dressed well.""That's why it's so shocking. Another shocker, I heard that he gave Cassie Mr Preston's position." "What?? No way!""Everyone has had their
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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
222. Barron Retaliates
The news broke before dawn. Grainy footage leaked online — flashing lights at the docks, bodies being loaded into ambulances, women wrapped in blankets, their faces blurred.The headlines screamed in bold:Human Trafficking Ring Busted in Dramatic Night Raid.But behind the headlines, in dark rooms far from the public eye, powerful men were already plotting their revenge.Van sat beside Bianca's hospital bed, watching her chest rise and fall. She was sedated, her body too battered and exhausted to stay conscious for long but she was alive.That simple fact kept him breathing.Keller stood near the door, on the phone with someone high up — probably trying to keep this operation from exploding into a political scandal.Carla scrolled through her tablet, her face grim."They’re already spinning this," she muttered. "Barron’s people are leaking stories that this was a rogue smuggling crew. Small-time. Not connected to him."Van’s jaw clenched."Typical. Burn the pawns, protect the king."
221. Final Hunt
The storm hadn’t let up by morning.Thunder rolled over the city like distant gunfire as Van paced the length of Keller’s safehouse, phone clutched in a death grip.The message replayed in his mind over and over:"Transfer complete. Barron expects the shipment before Friday."Today was Thursday.That meant they had less than twenty-four hours to find Bianca before she vanished — maybe forever.Carla spread a map on the table, jabbing her finger at different points marked in red."These are known drop sites tied to Barron’s network. Truck yards. Private airstrips. Warehouses near the docks. If they’re moving her, it’s through one of these routes."Van stopped pacing, leaned over the map."Which one?"Carla’s mouth pressed into a thin line."If I knew that, we’d already be on the road."Keller stormed in from the other room, phone to his ear."No, I don’t care if it’s off the books—pull every asset we have! She’s out there, and I want eyes on every exit point in this city!"He ended the
220. The Raid
The black SUV tore through the city streets, weaving between cars and running red lights.Rain slapped against the windshield in heavy sheets, turning the world into a blur of lights and shadows.Van sat in the passenger seat, jaw tight, fingers tapping a restless rhythm on his knee.Beside him, Keller drove like a man possessed, silent and focused.Carla sat in the back, double-checking the blueprints of the warehouse on her tablet."Franklin and Third," she muttered."Two floors. Old textile plant. Abandoned for years. No security cameras, no neighbors — perfect place to stash someone."Van’s stomach twisted.It was too perfect.He kept flashing back to Vance’s words: If they think you’re coming, they’ll move her—or worse.He couldn't afford to think about what worse meant.Not now.Not when they were this close.They arrived in less than fifteen minutes.The warehouse loomed out of the mist like a dead thing — gray, crumbling, windows shattered, rust eating through the metal doors.
219. Confession
The air inside the van was thick with tension.Julian Vance sat slumped against the wall, wrists cuffed to a metal ring bolted to the floor.The blindfold was gone, but fear had carved deep lines into his face.Sweat soaked through his shirt despite the cold night air.Across from him, Van leaned back in his seat, arms crossed, studying him like a puzzle that needed solving.Keller sat beside Van, silent and looming, while Carla hovered near the door, tablet in hand, recording everything.No one spoke for a long moment.They let the fear do its work first.Vance fidgeted, his eyes darting from face to face, looking for a crack, a kindness.He found none.Finally, Keller broke the silence."You know who we are," he said calmly."You know why you’re here."Vance licked his lips."I—I’m just an accountant," he stammered."I don’t know anything."Keller smiled thinly."You know enough to get yourself killed. Or saved. Your choice."Vance’s hands twisted in the cuffs."I can’t," he whisper
218. The Aftermath
The night was soaked in the heavy stench of gunpowder and rain.Sirens howled in the distance — getting closer — but Agent Keller’s team moved fast.They swept the abandoned lot, securing what little evidence Moses had left behind: a few casings, tire tracks gouged deep into the mud, a broken phone.It wasn’t enough.Moses had disappeared like a phantom into the night, and worse — he had seen through the setup.Van had barely made it out alive.Inside the mobile command van, Keller slammed his fist against the table."Someone tipped him off," he growled."There’s no way he walked into that meeting with backup unless he knew we were coming."Carla sat beside Van, wrapping a makeshift bandage around his bleeding arm.Her hands were steady, but her face was grim.Van winced as the gauze tightened, but he barely felt the pain.His mind was somewhere else.A traitor.Someone inside their circle.Someone who had sold them out to Moses.Keller paced furiously, barking orders into his radio,
