Final straw
Author: Jericho Chase
last update2025-07-21 23:57:38

Later that evening, just as the sun was sinking behind the skyline and casting a gold hue across the Theodore estate, a sleek black government SUV rolled up the driveway.

Brutus paced furiously in his study, still reeling from the disaster of the day.

He had gotten off a hundred calls from family and business associates. He had spent another extra two hours asking for help from people he knew and trusted.

But all his efforts turned fruitless.

Just then, his butler opened the door to his study. There was a grim expression in his face that frightened Brutus.

"Sir," the butler said, voice tight, "the Mayor is here to see you. And he’s… not alone."

Brutus scoffed. "What the hell does he want now?" He stormed toward the foyer, only to freeze in his tracks.

The Mayor stood in the doorway, his face deadpan.

Behind him, a swarm of government agents in dark suits fanned out, already moving past him into the house.

Some carried official-looking documents, others had equipment—cameras,
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  • Exposed

    The room cracked open with stunned silence.Lydia’s phone slipped from her hand and hit the floor with a dull thud.Elliot’s jaw dropped. “What…?” he stammered.Serena’s eyes darted to the others, seeking confirmation. “Wait… what did he just say?”“You’re lying,” Dayton said, his voice barely above a whisper. “You can’t be… Barry Sullivan is a trillionaire. You—you're just—”“A nobody? A con man? A useless husband?” Barry finished for him, his tone razor-sharp. “That’s what you all thought, didn’t you?”He placed both palms on the table and leaned in.“I suppose I should tell you the truth now,” he said, his voice calm but commanding. “I am not Eleanor's husband. Her husband died… a day before I was first brought before you all.”A sharp gasp broke the stillness. Everyone’s eyes widened. Lydia blinked rapidly. Elliot’s mouth hung open. Even Mr. Dayton's jaw slackened, his hands gripping the edge of the table.“I was a stand-in,” Barry continued, unmoved by their shock. “Eleanor was d

  • I am Barry Sullivan

    The moment Barry sat at the table and uttered the words, “Let’s begin,” the room erupted like a powder keg.“What the hell is this?!” Lydia shot up from her seat, her mouth hanging open. “Barry?!”“Is this some kind of twisted joke?” Elliot barked, slamming his palm on the table.Damian furrowed his brows and muttered, “Why is he here? Wasn’t he—?”Serena finished his sentence, her voice laced with confusion, “—dead? I saw the news. Skull fracture, ten broken bones… You were in a coma or something.”Mr. Dayton’s face contorted in confusion. “You—how are you even walking? I got reports from the news! Said your skull was smashed like a watermelon.”Barry remained seated, calm and unreadable. He didn’t acknowledge the barrage of shocked questions. Instead, he simply looked around the room, letting the noise die on its own.When it finally quieted, he said coldly, “Not one of you showed up at the hospital. Not once did any of you visit Eleanor after the accident.”A sharp silence fell ov

  • The Dayton family

    Sebastian stood patiently outside Eleanor’s apartment, leaning against the metal rail as the soft hum of the evening wind swept through the street.The sky was slowly dimming, painted in streaks of orange and purple.He looked at his watch, then toward the corner of the road where headlights approached.Barry's Honda Civic rolled up and parked by the curb. The engine gave a tired cough as it died down, and a moment later, Barry stepped out.Sebastian straightened immediately, walking briskly toward him. “So,” he asked, eyes searching Barry’s expression, “how did it go, master?”Barry looked weary and drained of energy. His shoulders sagged and his eyes were heavy, but most of all, there was disappointment etched deep in his face.“He’s not the one,” Barry said softly.He reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a small, silver ring. It glinted faintly under the evening light as he placed it into Sebastian’s palm.Sebastian looked down at it. This ring has a special ability to de

  • The truth

    The casino's private poker room was packed tighter than ever before. Word had spread like wildfire: a man was betting a $3 billion company on a single game of poker against Halbert, one of the most seasoned high-stakes gamblers in the city. Wealthy elites, celebrities, businessmen, and gamblers crowded around the velvet ropes, craning their necks to get a glimpse. There was a buzz in the air—an electric tension as everyone whispered to each other."He's insane.""Three billion? Has to be a bluff.""That Barry guy’s either stupid or suicidal."Security stood guard as Barry and Halbert sat face to face across the poker table. A mahogany table lined with green felt. Soft jazz played in the background, drowned by murmurs from the crowd.Both men had arrived with their lawyers, who brought folders, contracts, and documents of ownership. Not long after, the stakes were made official.Halbert signed over ownership rights to a total of $1.1 billion in various properties, stocks, and liqu

  • Halbert

    Harold's face turned red with fury as Barry and Sebastian headed for the door. His voice rose like thunder in the room. “I’m not going to let this slide!” he bellowed. “You broke into my suite! You’ll be arrested for trespassing and false accusations!”He fumbled in his back pocket, pulling out his phone with trembling fingers and began dialing, clearly calling the authorities. “You’re going to rot in a cell, Barry! Just wait!”To Harold’s utter disbelief, Barry didn’t even glance his way. He turned calmly to Sebastian, ignoring the outburst behind him as though Harold was nothing more than background noise.Sebastian’s voice was quiet. “There must be others who could be suspects, master. Think deeper.”Barry nodded, his mind racing. “There are two people I want questioned. Eleanor’s siblings… and Mr. Halbert. Her siblings had once plotted to ruin her, and Halbert might've out of revenge for her rejection planned her accident. If anyone knows something or had a reason—they would.”

  • Harold

    Harold's penthouse was alive with pulsing music, flashing lights, and the laughter of half-drunk women draped over the lavish furniture. Bottles of expensive champagne littered the marble countertops, their contents half-finished, glistening under the neon glow. Harold lounged on the couch like a king, his shirt unbuttoned to reveal the thick hair on his chest, a smug grin plastered across his face.A few of the women had gathered around him, giggling as one of them traced her manicured nails over the light hair on his chest."Is it true?" she purred, tilting her head and smiling. "That you secured a $2 billion contract for your father's business?"Harold grinned broadly and took a long drag of his cigar. "Of course it’s true," he said, smoke trailing from his mouth. "Why else do you think we're celebrating? This is just the beginning, baby. Soon, I’ll be running the whole damn family empire. You’re looking at the future."The girls squealed in delight and raised their glasses.But

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