Luke Callas; The Underworld King

The Road To Blackgate

She placed the document on the table.

"This is a copy of the financial records from his company. I believe they're connected to what happened."

Luke looked at the document carefully, It was one of the reports Daniel had been investigating. He slowly raised his head.

"Where did you get these?"

Victoria said nothing, Luke's expression changed, He understood something then, this wasn't a misunderstanding, it wasn't a mistake either—Victoria has been involved from the very beginning.

The woman standing before him had helped destroy his life, and she knew exactly what she was doing, and still he had no clue as to the reason behind it all.

---

Three Weeks Later.

The courtroom was filled with journalists, legal representatives, military officials, and members of the public.

Luke stood inside the defendant's enclosure, he had lost weight, his beard had grown slightly longer, and the expensive suits he once wore had been replaced by prison-issued clothing.

His lawyer had spent weeks challenging the evidence, but the prosecution had presented a carefully constructed case.

The financial records, the witness testimonies, the alleged murder weapon and Victoria's statement.

Everything pointed towards Luke.

The judge adjusted his glasses and looked down at the documents before him.

"After reviewing the evidence presented before this court, the testimonies of the witnesses, and the circumstances surrounding the deaths of General Richard Hayes and Mr. Thomas Callas, this court finds the defendant guilty of conspiracy to commit murder and multiple counts of murder."

Luke remained motionless.

The judge continued.

"Considering the severity of these offences, the court hereby sentences Luke Callas to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole."

A murmur spread throughout the courtroom.

Luke's lawyer lowered his head, the journalists began writing, the officers moved towards him.

But Luke wasn't listening anymore, his eyes were fixed on Victoria. She sat among the spectators, dressed elegantly, with a calm expression.

Their eyes met, she gave him the faintest smile.

Luke stared at her, he remembered their wedding, their first home, the nights they spent planning their future, the years he sacrificed his career to give her a better life, all of it.

And now everything had turned into a big lie.

"Mr. Callas, come with us." An officer grabbed his arm.

Luke didn't resist.

As they led him away, he looked at Victoria one final time.

She continued watching, but something about his expression unsettled her.

There was no desperation in his eyes, no pleading, no fear, only a cold promise.

Victoria's smile slowly disappeared, she looked away.

---

Outside the courthouse, reporters surrounded the building.

Questions were shouted from every direction.

"Mrs. Callas! Do you believe your husband deserves life imprisonment?"

"Did you know about his involvement before the murders?"

"Are you planning to take over his company?"

Victoria ignored them, her driver opened the car door, she entered and settled into the back seat.

"Where to, ma'am?"

She looked out of the window.

"Home."

The driver started the engine.

Victoria leaned back, relaxing for the first time in weeks.

Luke Callas was finished, just like his family, at least, that was what she believed.

---

Four Hours Later — Blackgate Transfer Facility.

A black transport vehicle moved along a heavily guarded highway, Inside, Luke sat between two armed officers.

His hands were cuffed, and his feet were secured, he had been informed that he was being transferred to a maximum-security facility.

The destination was Blackgate.

He has heard of the prison before, everyone has, It was where the world's most dangerous criminals disappeared.

Terrorists, serial killers, cartel leaders, and individuals considered too dangerous for ordinary correctional facilities.

Luke never imagined he would one day end up there. He rested his head against the metal wall, his thoughts returned to Victoria.

He wondered how long she had been planning everything, how much she had known? Was she the one who arranged his father's murder? Was General Hayes killed because of something he knew? And who was Northbridge Holdings?

Questions continued filling his mind.

But one thing was certain, he had lost everything, his company, his father, his marriage, his freedom.

Yet, as the vehicle continued moving, Luke slowly clenched his fists.

He wasn't going to die in prison.

He wasn't going to spend the rest of his life accepting a crime he never committed.

He vowed to survive, He vowed find the truth, and when he finally returned to the outside world, everyone responsible would answer for what they had done.

The transport vehicle passed through a massive security checkpoint.

A moment later, the enormous gates of Blackgate appeared in the distance.

Luke raised his head.

For the first time, he saw the place that would become his new home.

He had no idea what waited behind those walls, but whatever it was, he planned on facing it with his all.