Part to the power of the universe

CHAPTER 6

THE MAN WHO OWNED THE STREETS

Marcus Vane operated from a private office above a nightclub in the centre of Westbridge City.

The building's entrance was guarded by men who wore expensive suits and carried themselves with the confidence of people accustomed to being obeyed.

Inside, the office was decorated with polished wood, imported furniture, and framed photographs of Marcus standing beside influential businessmen.

Marcus himself was in his late forties, with carefully styled hair and a gold watch that cost more than the William family's remaining possessions.

He was not the largest man in the room.His power came from the people who owed him money, the officials who accepted his favors, and the criminals who carried out his orders.

When his lieutenant entered, Marcus was reading a financial report."Tell me about the boy."

The lieutenant placed several photographs on the desk."Cooper William. Eighteen. Student. No criminal history. Until yesterday, he had never fought anyone successfully."

"And now?""He defeated three of our collectors. At school, he handled several older students without much difficulty."

Marcus studied the photographs."Drugs?"

"We found no evidence."

"Military training?"

"None."

Marcus leaned back.

"Then either he has been hiding something, or someone is helping him."

The lieutenant nodded."What do you want us to do?"

Marcus tapped the photographs against the desk."Bring Daniel William to me tomorrow. I want to hear the story from him personally."

"And the boy?"

Marcus smiled."Leave him alone for now."

The lieutenant looked surprised.

Marcus's smile widened."A frightened boy is predictable. An angry one can be useful. I want to know which kind he has become."

The following afternoon, Daniel William received a message requesting his presence at Marcus Vane's office.The message was polite.

The implication was not.Daniel considered ignoring it, but he knew Marcus's organisation would interpret silence as defiance.

When he told Margaret, she immediately objected."You cannot go there alone."

"I have to try," Daniel replied. "Perhaps if I explain the situation, we can negotiate more time."

Cooper, who had been listening from the doorway, stepped forward."I will go with you."

"No," Daniel said immediately.

"Father"

"You don't understand these people."

Xuan Tian almost smiled.He understood predators very well.But he recognised the concern in his father's voice.

"Then let me accompany you. I will not start a fight."

Daniel studied him, searching for the boy he had known.At last, he nodded.

"Stay beside me, and let me do the talking."

Marcus received them in his private office,He examined Cooper for several seconds before gesturing toward the chairs.

"So this is the young man who has been causing me trouble."

Xuan Tian sat down without answering.

Daniel swallowed."Mr Vane, I came because I want to resolve our debt. I know we have fallen behind, but I am asking for a reasonable repayment plan."

Marcus folded his hands."Reasonable? You borrowed eight million naira. You signed the agreement. You accepted the terms."

"I have paid you more than twelve million."

"And you still owe money."

"Some of the charges are not in the original agreement."

Marcus's expression hardened."Are you accusing me of dishonesty?"

Daniel immediately lowered his gaze."No. I am only asking for an explanation."

"Then here is your explanation. You borrowed money. You failed to repay it on time. The balance increased."

Xuan Tian finally spoke."Show us the original contract."

Marcus turned toward him."What?"

"The original agreement, the repayment ledger, and the legal basis for the additional charges."

The office became silent.

Marcus slowly leaned forward."You seem to have mistaken this meeting for a courtroom."

"No," Xuan Tian replied. "I am trying to determine whether the debt you claim is genuine."

Marcus laughed."Do you know how many people have asked me that question?"

"How many?""Enough to understand that questions do not make debt disappear."

"Neither do threats."

Daniel looked at his son in alarm.

Marcus's expression changed.For a moment, the room seemed colder."You are very confident for someone who has nothing."

Xuan Tian looked around the expensive office."Confidence is not something money can purchase."

Marcus stood."Your father owes me twenty-eight million. Your family lives in a house that may soon be taken from you. Your mother works herself to exhaustion, and your sister is still a child. Yet you sit here and speak as if you possess the advantage."

Xuan Tian remained calm."Because you are afraid of losing control."

Marcus's smile disappeared."What did you say?"

"You have a debt that you claim cannot be repaid. Yet you refuse to provide a transparent accounting of it. You threaten an injured man and his family. You send collectors to intimidate them instead of resolving the dispute lawfully."

Xuan Tian tilted his head."That is not the behaviour of a man confident in his position."

Marcus stared at him.Then he laughed, but the sound lacked warmth.

"Get out."

Daniel stood immediately.

"Cooper, let's go."Xuan Tian rose.

At the door, Marcus spoke again.

"One more thing, Daniel. Your son has made himself part of this dispute. If anything happens to your family, remember who caused it."

Xuan Tian turned."No, Mr Vane. Remember what you chose to do."

He left with his father.

Marcus remained standing until the door closed.Then he picked up his phone.

"Find out everything about Cooper William. I want to know where he learned to fight, who he has been meeting, and what he is hiding."

He paused."And have someone review the William loan file. Quietly."

That evening, Xuan Tian examined the loan documents again.He now had reason to suspect that the problem was more complicated than excessive interest.

One page contained a company registration number that did not match the name printed above it. Another listed a guarantor whose signature appeared different from the version on an earlier document.

These discrepancies did not prove fraud, but they justified an independent legal review.He placed the papers in a folder.His next task was to find a trustworthy lawyer.

As he searched the internet using the family's old computer, an unfamiliar name appeared in an archived news report.

Adrian Cross Financial Crimes Investigator.

The article described an investigation into several private lending companies suspected of using intimidation and fraudulent contracts to seize property.

The investigation had stalled two years earlier.One of the companies mentioned was connected to Marcus Vane.

Xuan Tian read the article carefully.Then he looked at the black ring.The projection had returned.The second point beneath the mountain was glowing more brightly than before.

A new message appeared.

SECOND SEAL, RESPONSE DETECTED.

Xuan Tian's eyes narrowed.

Whatever waited beneath the mountain was becoming active.

And he had a growing suspicion that Marcus Vane's organisation was connected to something far beyond an ordinary debt dispute.