2025-05-25 15:30:35“How am I supposed to know?”
Sadie took the paper, stared at the number for a long beat, then flicked it into the waste bin. “I won’t fall for that prank. He’s just a kid messing around.”Charles’ lips parted in surprise. Isn’t this the same woman who was trembling in the car earlier?“I’m off to bed. Turn off the lights before you sleep.”Is she serious? Charles stood up. “So you’re not going to call that number?”“I told you, I know who’s behind all this. Or are you scared?”A scoff escaped Charles’ lips. Scared? Shouldn’t he be the one asking her that?Without another word, she left him standing there and disappeared inside.He waited a few minutes, expecting her to come back, but she didn’t. What kind of woman was this, really?At first, Charles went to his room. It wasn’t his problem, after all. But after tossing and turning in bed, he got up and returned to the sitting room to grab the paper.
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Charles made it to the elevator at exactly 8:01.He rushed out into the hallway, startling a few workers on his way to the conference room.“Nothing’s wrong,” he called over his shoulder. “Just a bit late.”He burst into the conference room, stopping at the door to catch his breath while his eyes swept across the hall. Every seat was already taken.“I’m so sorry for being late. I had to take care of some personal business, but that’s no excuse,” he apologized.“Oh my goodness, Mr. Charles, it’s nothing,” Holden replied with a warm smile. “You’re the boss. Whenever you arrive is the right time.”“Exactly, sir. You’re the law and life of this company,” another man chimed in.“You didn’t have to run that fast.”Charles moved to the seat reserved for him at the round conference table. He dropped his tablet on the surface and looked around the room.“I’m not sure how things usually operate here, but you’re s
17
Charles pulled up in front of a modest house tucked behind a line of wilting hedges. He glanced at the time on the dash — 7:30 a.m.Ten minutes. That’s all he had if he wanted to make it to Valestone Dynamics before the morning brief.He slid his sunglasses on, ran a hand through his hair, and stepped out. This was the address his subordinate had given him last night — the home of the man who had ridden that motorcycle. His finger pressed the doorbell. Inside, a shuffle. Then, the door creaked open.A bespectacled boy, maybe five, peered up at him with a squint. “Who are you?”“Is your father at home?” Charles asked, keeping his tone light.“No. He left early this morning for—” The boy paused, realizing he was talking too much. “Who are you?”“I’m from his workplace. His boss.” The lie rolled off Charles' tongue like truth.“Mom! Someone’s here for Dad!” The boy slammed the door.Charles sighed.
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“How am I supposed to know?”Sadie took the paper, stared at the number for a long beat, then flicked it into the waste bin. “I won’t fall for that prank. He’s just a kid messing around.”Charles’ lips parted in surprise. Isn’t this the same woman who was trembling in the car earlier?“I’m off to bed. Turn off the lights before you sleep.”Is she serious? Charles stood up. “So you’re not going to call that number?”“I told you, I know who’s behind all this. Or are you scared?”A scoff escaped Charles’ lips. Scared? Shouldn’t he be the one asking her that?Without another word, she left him standing there and disappeared inside.He waited a few minutes, expecting her to come back, but she didn’t. What kind of woman was this, really?At first, Charles went to his room. It wasn’t his problem, after all. But after tossing and turning in bed, he got up and returned to the sitting room to grab the paper.
15
Sadie had been quiet since they got in the car. Charles had asked earlier if she was okay—she’d only given a nod. Now, she had headphones over her ears. A clear sign: no conversation. And honestly? Fine by him. At least he wouldn’t have to put up with her usual chatter. Charles pressed down on the accelerator, gliding past the car ahead. Then another. He glanced at the dashboard. Odd. He wasn’t accelerating anymore, but the speed kept climbing. He glanced again. The speed had shot up—unnaturally fast. “You’re going too fast,” Sadie said, yanking off her headphones. “Exactly,” Charles muttered, trying the brake. Nothing. The car didn’t slow down. Not even a twitch. “What the hell are you doing?!” Sadie shrieked. “Your car’s been hacked,” Charles said calmly, swerving into the c
14
Two men lunged at Charles—one aiming for his chest, the other sweeping for his legs. Neither landed a hit.Charles leapt into the air. For a split second, everyone looked up—eyes wide.He came down like a missile. One man staggered and collapsed right at Roger’s feet. The other smacked his head against the ground with a crunch, blood seeping out instantly.The rest of the men froze. If Charles just downed their two best in a blink, what chance did they have?Roger blinked hard. This wasn’t a trick of the eyes—Charles had actually taken them out. Two of his men. One move.A guard approached Roger, lowering his voice. “Sir, I’m not afraid, but this man… he fights like a god of war. If that’s what he is, the consequences won’t just fall on us. They’ll fall on you.”Roger clenched his fist. His hands were cold. Was it fear? No. Couldn’t be. He wasn't scared of this lowlife.“What do we do, sir?” the man pressed.Rog
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Charles stepped out of the car, his eyes sweeping across the quiet street. His gaze settled on the entrance of the hall where the dinner party was already in full swing. Small, yes—but it housed the powerhouses of the city.Sadie had asked him to come in with her, but he’d turned her down without a second thought.“I hate boredom,” he’d said.But really, that wasn’t it. Walking in there with her would be signing his own exposure slip. One look from the right person—someone with a long enough memory—and the game would be up, all his identity revealed. Add that to the fingerprint registration at the door?Too much fuss for a damn dinner.Charles pulled out a cigarette from the packet and flicked his lighter open. Just as the flame flared, he felt someone behind him. A presence he didn’t need to look at to recognize.“I’ve seen foolish people,” Roger said from beside him, “but you beat the record, man.”Charles slowly lowered the lighter and took the cigarette out of his mouth. What the
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