2025-05-13 16:57:32Dr. McCormick arrived at the restaurant less than ten minutes after receiving Jerry’s call. He burst in with urgency, his face tight with concern—but not for the right reasons. His suit jacket flapped as he made his way to the table where his son stood waiting, surrounded by Sarah, Trisha, Max, Roland, and, at the head of the table, Arnold Brick.
“What’s going on here?” Dr. McCormick asked, eyes scanning the tense group.
Jerry stepped forward with a satisfied grin. “Dad, you’re not going to believe this—Arnold Brick here just made an offer that could change the fate of the school.”
Arnold didn’t rise, but he gave a nod of acknowledgement and crossed one leg over the other, calm and composed.
Jerry continued, “He’s offering twenty-five million dollars to the school’s account. But there’s a condition. Sarah has to agree to date him.”
Dr. McCormick raised his brows, taking a moment to process. “Twenty-five million?”
Arnold clarified, “A wire transfer. Straight to the school's development fund. No gimmicks.”
Dr. McCormick’s eyes gleamed for a brief moment before flicking to Sarah. “And all he’s asking for... is a relationship with you?”
Sarah’s eyes flared with disbelief. “You can’t be serious.”
Dr. McCormick turned to Arnold again. “Is this just a date, or are we talking about something more... intimate?”
Arnold gave a small smirk. “She’ll know what to do when the time comes.”
The principal turned back to Sarah, his expression tightening. “Look, Sarah, I know this might sound... unsavory. But you need to consider the bigger picture. This isn’t just about you. With that money, we can open three new labs, fund scholarships—students like Max and Roland could benefit directly.”
Trisha’s mouth dropped open. “Are you actually suggesting she prostitute herself for the benefit of the school?”
Dr. McCormick didn’t flinch. “I’m saying that one night of sacrifice could solve problems for hundreds of students.”
Sarah pushed back her chair and stood. “This is disgusting.”
Dr. McCormick raised a hand. “Just think it over.”
“No,” Sarah said coldly. “You’ve already made yourself clear.”
Trisha chimed in. “If you think for one second we’re going to keep quiet about this, think again. I’ll call my father tonight.”
Sarah added, “So will I. I’m sure the school board would love to hear how their principal supports coercive sex-for-donation deals.”
Dr. McCormick stiffened at that. His lips parted, but Arnold raised a finger.
“Enough,” Arnold said calmly. “You’re free to make your calls. But before you do... perhaps it would interest you to know just how deep this rabbit hole goes.”
He looked at Trisha, then Sarah. “Your fathers—Marcus Macy and Damion Vernon—are currently under the direct employment of the Brick family. My family.”
Both girls blinked. The confidence in Arnold’s tone left no room for doubt.
Arnold continued, “They’re in the middle of executing a hundred-million-dollar contract with us. And they’re also currently bidding on a three-hundred-million-dollar international project that Brick & Sons is overseeing.”
Sarah paled. “You’re lying.”
Arnold’s smirk widened. “Am I? Why don’t you give Daddy a call and ask him how many meetings he’s had with Brick board executives this quarter? Or much better talk a look at this.” Arnold pulled out his phone, and showed Sarah and Trisha pictures and documents to provide his claims.
Trisha looked at Sarah, her confidence shaken. Arnold wasn’t bluffing.
Arnold leaned forward, his voice low and deliberate. “So here’s what I’m offering now. I came here for Sarah. But now that I’ve seen you both—why not make this a two-in-one deal? Sarah and Trisha. Both of you. I can upgrade the donation if needed.”
Trisha gasped. “You’re insane.”
Arnold ignored her. “You have two hours. That’s it. Meet me at Délurex Grime.”
Sarah’s lips parted. “That hotel?”
“Yes,” Arnold said. “Presidential suite. Top floor. Come dressed for the night. I’ll make it worth your while. But if you don’t show up... those contracts your daddies are praying for? They’re gone. And your families will suffer the fallout.”
He stood, adjusted his coat, and threw one last look at the table. “Tick-tock, ladies.”
As Arnold walked off with confidence radiating from every step, the room fell silent.
But Dr. McCormick wasn’t finished. He stepped forward again, looking directly at Sarah and Trisha.
“And just so you’re aware,” he added sharply, “your failure to attend tonight will result in immediate consequences.”
Sarah turned to him, face cold. “Are you threatening us now?”
“I’m stating facts,” he replied. “Max and Roland,both of them—will be expelled. By morning.”
“What?” Roland jumped from his seat.
“You can’t do that!” Trisha exclaimed.
“Oh, I can,” Dr. McCormick said. “You’d be surprised how quickly disciplinary actions move when someone like me signs off.”
Then, without another word, he turned on his heel and followed Arnold out of the restaurant.
For several seconds, the group sat in stunned silence.
Nicolas was the first to laugh. “Wow. That escalated.”
Jerry clapped his hands once, slowly. “Brilliant performance. Honestly, Sarah, if you had just taken my offer in the first place, you wouldn’t be here, humiliated, watching your friends get thrown under the bus.”
Sarah glared at him. “You’re pathetic.”
Nicolas snorted. “You’ll be singing a different tune when your family’s bankrupt. Or when your scholarship buddies here are crying outside the dean’s office.”
Jerry smiled darkly. “Anyway, I don’t think I need to go to Nigeria anymore. Looks like my problems solved themselves. I’m done wasting time.”
He gave one last mocking glance at Max and Roland. “No one’s coming to save you.”
Then Jerry and Nicolas walked out, smug and triumphant, leaving behind a table full of confusion, humiliation, and despair.
The restaurant air grew heavier with each passing second.
Max continued eating in silence, eyes down, unfazed by everything that had just happened. Fork to mouth. Calm.
Sarah stared at her untouched drink, her hands trembling slightly. Trisha looked close to tears. Roland’s fists were clenched, knuckles white.
The
four of them were left alone—with no rescue in sight.
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Latest Chapter
Chapter 335
The city was abuzz, a hive of speculation and outrage. The controlled leak, orchestrated by Max, had done its job: Mayor Benson was bleeding politically. The media, once his staunch allies, now circled like vultures, picking apart every past indiscretion, every questionable deal. The calls for his resignation grew louder with each passing hour.Then came the official announcement.The press conference room was packed. Microphones bristled like metallic weeds, and the glare of camera lights was blinding. Agent Gonzalez, impeccably dressed, stood at the podium, a somber expression on his face. Beside him, looking pale and defeated, was Mayor Benson."Ladies and gentlemen," Gonzalez began, his voice calm and authoritative, cutting through the murmuring crowd. "Thank you for coming on such short notice. As you know, over the past few days, a series of deeply disturbing allegations have come to light regarding Mayor Robert Benson."He paused, letting the words sink in, then continued, his
Chapter 334
The first news reports hit the digital airwaves like a tremor, then a full-blown earthquake. "Mayor Benson Under Fire: New Revelations About Past Corruption," screamed one headline. "Shady Deals and Questionable Ethics Plague Mayor's Office," declared another. The stories detailed years of alleged financial improprieties, dubious land transactions, and favoritism in city contracts. It was all old news, rehashed and presented with fresh, damning evidence that had previously been buried.In the Beckers' penthouse, Tommy watched the news channel with growing disbelief, then rage. "What is this? This isn't our leak! They're talking about old stuff! Where's the Gonzalez part? Where's the proof of their secret meetings?"Bobby, equally stunned, scrolled through his tablet, reading the various reports. "It's… it's like someone beat us to it, Tommy. Or, someone took our intel and picked out only the bits that suited them. They've focused entirely on Benson's general corruption, not his links
Chapter 333
The air in the Beckers' penthouse office was thick with desperation, a stark contrast to the usual controlled opulence. Tommy Becker paced like a caged animal, his expensive suit rumpled, his face a mask of barely contained fury. Bobby sat at the polished mahogany desk, staring at a stack of documents, his expression grim. The news reports from the last twenty-four hours had been brutal: another warehouse raided, a major gambling ring busted, several key lieutenants arrested. Max Lucky’s subtle, insidious campaign, fueled by Lena’s intel, was working."They're hitting us everywhere, Bobby!" Tommy roared, slamming his fist onto the desk, making the papers jump. "Everywhere! It's not just Gonzalez anymore. It's like everyone knows our weaknesses! Our men are getting scared. They're talking about jumping ship!"Bobby finally looked up, his eyes tired. "It's worse than that, Tommy. Our cash flow is drying up. The legitimate businesses are under heavy scrutiny. We can't move product, we ca
Chapter 332
Vincenzo calmly reassembled the pistol, snapping the magazine into place with a soft click. He didn't even look up. "Patience, Magnus. Impatience is a weakness. A fatal flaw in this game. The Beckers are still dangerous, even wounded. Gonzalez is a snake, always looking for an angle. Max Lucky is a fox, cunning and elusive. We move when the time is right, when they have exhausted each other, when their guard is down.""But they're making mistakes!" Magnus argued, gesturing wildly. "Tommy Becker is losing his mind! He's making desperate moves! We could exploit that! We could take a piece of their territory, hit one of their weakened operations. Show them who the new power is! Show them we're here!""And draw the immediate attention of Gonzalez?" Vincenzo countered, his voice flat, devoid of emotion. "Or Max Lucky, who has proven himself to be far more dangerous than he appears? No. Let them fight. Let them weaken each other. Let them reveal their vulnerabilities, their true colors. We
Chapter 331
Bobby sighed, running a hand through his hair, a deep weariness etched on his face. Tommy was losing it. The pressure was getting to him, eroding his judgment. This erratic behavior was dangerous. It made them predictable, vulnerable. But trying to reason with Tommy when he was like this was like talking to a brick wall."I'll double the search for Lena," Bobby promised, knowing it was likely a futile gesture if Max had her truly hidden. "And I'll put out feelers, try to find out who else is hitting us. But we need to consolidate, Tommy. We need to protect what we have left. We need to think strategically, not emotionally.""No!" Tommy roared, grabbing a heavy crystal paperweight from the desk. "We expand! We strike! We show them that the Beckers don't break! We show them that we're still in charge! That we're still the most powerful family in this city!" He slammed the paperweight back onto the desk with a deafening thud. "Get me a list of all our remaining assets. All our leverage.
Chapter 330
In the quiet, well-furnished safe house, Lena traced patterns on the condensation of her water glass, her mind a whirlwind of fear and relief. Nathan sat opposite her, his hand resting reassuringly on her knee, his presence a comforting anchor in the storm. He had been her unwavering support through the emotional wreckage of the past few days, listening without judgment, offering comfort without question."It's just… so much," Lena whispered, her voice still a little hoarse from the tears she'd shed. "Knowing everything. My father. My mother's secrets. The Beckers. And now, being here, in hiding. It feels like my whole life was a lie.""You're safe, Lena," Nathan said softly, squeezing her knee, his eyes full of concern. "Max is a good man. He'll protect you. You made the right choice.""I know," she said, looking up at him, a flicker of fear still in her eyes. "But the Beckers... they won't stop. They're like rabid dogs when they're cornered. And I've cornered them. They'll come for
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