Rise of the Rejected Son-in-Law

Chapter 5: Shattered Ground

Jump, you woman jump! Daniel yelled as the floor under Sylvia's feet started to break

The explosion did not go up in a fire. It was a kind of bomb that was meant to destroy the foundation of the house.

The strong concrete. Made a loud noise. The big Persian rug fell down into a hole that opened up in the living room.

Sylvia. Her voice was cut off by fear as she lost her balance. Her body leaned back into the noise of dust and falling pieces.

Daniel did not wait. He forgot about the three years of insults and the thousands of hours of being treated. He threw himself forward. Caught Sylvia by her torn dress in the air.

He used all his strength to throw her to the wall near the door. Sylvia hit the wall hard. Rolled away into the dust. She was. Gasping for air but she was alive.

Daniel was now hanging over the hole. The floor under his feet broke apart. A big marble pillar started to fall towards him.

Daniel jumped down into the hole just as the pillar hit the ground with a loud noise.

Daniel! Nooooo! Elena screamed from outside the house. She had run away from the two guards and into the house.

She saw the hole in the floor and the marble pillar that had blocked the hole.

The whole middle of the floor was gone. There were burning pieces of metal and broken wood everywhere.

Elena saw her mom, Sylvia sitting on the floor coughing and covered in dust. She looked like a ghost.

Tyler was sitting in the corner shaking and pale. Uncle Marcus was lying on the floor hurt but alive.

They were all alive. Every member of the Vance family had survived the explosion.

Where is Daniel? Elena screamed, running to her mom and shaking her. Mom, where is he? He came to save you. Where did he go?

Sylvia slowly pointed to the marble pillar.

He threw me Sylvia said, her voice shaking. He caught me in the air. Threw me to the wall. Then the pillar fell on him. He is under there Elena. He is gone.

Elena was very sad. She fell to her knees. Cried, hitting the marble pillar with her fists.

Daniel can you hear me? Elena sobbed. Please answer me. You cannot die here. You just came back. You just told me you owned the banks. You cannot leave me alone with these people.

Then they heard a voice from under the rubble.

Get back on your knees you trash the voice said.

The voice was strong. Did not sound like it belonged to someone who was hurt.

The marble pillar started to move.

Elena stopped crying. Stepped back.

The pillar started to lift up making a noise.

Daniel was standing under it. His clothes were torn. His skin was cut and bruised.. He was holding the pillar on his shoulder.

He had been hurt a lot when he was a kid. He had fought in fights when he was a teenager. A falling house was nothing to him.

Daniel threw the pillar off his shoulder. It hit the floor with a noise making a cloud of dust.

Daniel stepped out of the hole looking around the room. He wiped blood from his forehead.

Elena did not care about his money or his family. She did not care that he looked scary. She ran to him. Hugged him tightly.

I thought you were dead Elena sobbed. I thought you left me.

Daniel's arms went around her holding her close.

I told you, Elena. Nobody dies in my kingdom without my permission. Your family is safe.

Sylvia watched them her mouth open. She looked at Daniel's body and the big pillar he had lifted.

She remembered all the times she had been mean to him. She realized she had been treating a person badly.

Daniel Sylvia said, crawling to him on her knees. Daniel, my son-in-law you saved me. Forgive me for everything. I was blind. I will make it up to you. I will treat you like a god in this house.

Daniel pushed Elena behind him. Looked at Sylvia.

Do not think I saved you because I care about you Daniel said. I did not save you because I forgive you.

Sylvia's smile froze. Then why did you save me?

I saved you because if you died my wife would cry Daniel said. I saved you because I promised to protect your family. My promise is fulfilled.

Daniel stepped closer to Sylvia.

As of now you are nothing to me Daniel said. You are not my family. Tomorrow you will get fifty million dollars. That is payment, for the three years you let me stay in your house.

Sylvia's eyes lit up with greed. Fifty million? Daniel thank you! You truly are—

Daniel told them to be quiet and listen to what he had to say. He said that the money came with a condition. Tyler, Marcus and the others would have to pack their bags that night. They would have to leave Oakport City by sunrise. They would have to move to the north and never come back. If they ever tried to contact Elena or use the Kensington name to get a business deal Daniel would make sure they regretted it.

Sylvia took a step back. She was scared. She looked at Daniel. Saw that he was serious. She knew that she could not argue with him. She had lost her place in society. She was rich. She was not part of the world that mattered anymore.

Sylvia said that she understood. She looked down at the floor. Said it in a quiet voice.

Arthur Sterling came into the room. He was using a cane. He was followed by twelve men. They were around the mercenaries making them get down on their knees.

Arthur told Daniel that the signal jamming had been stopped. The local authorities had taken control of the area around the estate. The media would not report what really happened. They would say it was a gas line explosion.

Daniel asked about the mercenaries. Arthur said they would be taken to a place where they would be questioned. They would find out where Julian's hidden cells were in the city.

Daniel picked up a laptop. He thought about what he would do. Julian had tried to hurt his friend. Julian had tried to hurt Elena's family. This was not a game anymore. It was a fight.

Daniel told Arthur to get the plane ready. They would leave for the capital that night. Arthur was excited. He had been waiting for this moment for a long time. He had seen Daniel grow from a boy into a powerful man.

The capital was controlled by Daniel's uncles and cousins. They thought they could take over the company through business deals.. They did not know what Daniel was capable of.

Arthur told Daniel that the transport plane would be ready in forty minutes. Daniel asked about the Vance Logistics Corporation. Arthur said that the CEOs were giving the company to Elena.

Daniel turned to Elena. He said that the company belonged to her now. She was in charge. Nobody could hurt her business again. If she wanted to stay in Oakport City Daniel would leave some men to protect her. She would never have to see her mother

Elena walked over to Daniel. She took his hand. She said that she would go with him to the capital. She would stand by his side. If there were problems in the capital they would face them together.

Daniel smiled. He was proud of Elena. She was not the scared girl anymore. She was strong.

Daniel said that they would pack their things. They would go to the capital to take down the people who were against them.

Thirty minutes later a group of cars drove through the streets of Oakport City. They were heading to the airport. The police were helping them block off the roads.

Inside the car, Daniel was wearing a new suit. Elena was sitting beside him. She was looking at a screen that showed a map of the capital city.

The capital was a city with many skyscrapers. The Kensington Tower was the building. It was where Daniel's grandfather lived.

Arthur was talking to Daniel. He said that the family was divided into three groups. One group was loyal to Daniel's uncle, Thomas. One group was loyal, to Julian. One group was neutral.

Daniel listened to Arthur. He was thinking about what he would do. He knew that he had to be careful.

Daniel said that they would use a plan to get the signet ring. They would not use an army. They would use an approach.

The cars stopped at the airport. The plane was waiting for them. It was a black plane. The engines were running. Daniel and Elena would fly to the capital to start their fight.

Dozens of Kensington operatives were standing in perfect formation along the boarding ramp. They had their weapons resting against their chests and their faces hidden behind sunglasses.

The Maybach stopped at the base of the ramp. The doors opened at the time and Daniel stepped out into the rain. His black suit got wet away. He did not have an umbrella. He walked up the ramp with strides, leading Elena to the aircraft cabin.

Arthur Sterling followed them his silver cane making a sound on the metal ramp.

The inside of the transport plane was like a command center. There were screens on the walls showing financial markets, satellite feeds of the capital and plans of Kensington Tower. A team of eight elite cyber-analysts were sitting at high-tech consoles typing away on their keyboards as they watched encrypted communications.

Welcome aboard Daniel, the analyst said, standing up and bowing as Daniel entered the cabin. We have a link with our people inside the capital.

Daniel sat down in the leather chair. Elena took the seat next to him looking around at all the technology in the plane. This was not a business trip it was a flying war room.

Arthur stepped up to the screen tapping his cane to bring up a 3D model of Kensington Tower.

Let us talk about the plan Arthur said. The tower has an AI security system called Argus. It uses face recognition, heat tracking and floor sensors. If someone gets in after midnight the whole building locks down until Julian's security team arrives.

How does Julian's team get around the system Daniel asked, looking at the building's plan.

They use chips in their security badges Arthur explained, pointing to the elevator shafts. The elevator to the floor needs a retina scan a voice check and a special key that changes every minute. Only Julian, his commander and his assistant have all three.

Daniel looked at the floor of the model. We need to get one of those keys before we land.

Arthur did not think this was an idea. Julian is in the tower with a hundred guards he said. It is impossible to reach them before the meeting.

Daniel pulled out Kael's phone and gave it to the analysts. Find the frequency that Julian used to call he said. He did not use a satellite so it must have been a relay station. Find that station.

The analyst started typing. Found the station in five seconds. It was in a warehouse on Pier 14 owned by one of Julian's companies.

Is anyone Daniel asked.

The analyst brought up a feed of the warehouse showing four people inside with a lot of computer equipment. One of them was bigger than the others and the analyst said it was Cross, Julian's logistics man.

Daniel stood up. His muscles were visible under his suit. His eyes looked very serious.

Cross has the security token we need Daniel said. If we take it we can get into the tower without any alarms.

Arthur looked at his watch. We need to leave in ten minutes he said. If we delay we will miss our meeting. Julian will take over.

Daniel walked to the exit. Tell the pilot to wait he said. I am going to the harbor. I will get the token. Be back in fifteen minutes.

Arthur tried to stop him. That is an idea he said. Cross is a killer and the warehouse is probably trapped.

Daniel looked at Arthur with an expression. I have been waiting for a time he said. I am not going to let Julian win.

Daniel left the plane. Got on a fast motorcycle. He drove it out of the hangar and into the rain going fast toward the harbor.

Elena watched him go on the screen with her hands. Her heart was beating fast.

He is going to kill them she said.

Arthur stood beside her looking at the screen with respect.

No he is going to show them what happens when you try to take something from a Kensington he said.

The motorcycle stopped at the warehouse on Pier 14. Daniel got off. Walked to the side door his suit wet from the rain. He did not pull a gun he just walked to the door. Kicked it open.

The door. The four men inside were very surprised. They were standing around computers and across, a man with a scar reached for his rifle.

What was that one of the guards said, aiming his gun at Daniel.

Daniel walked into the warehouse his eyes black and serious. He did not look afraid he just kept walking.

Who are you the guard said, his laser sight, on Daniel's head. Get on the ground.

Cross stared at the man walking through the door. He looked at the man's suit he looked at the scars on the man's knuckles and then he looked at the authority in the man's gaze. Cross's eyes got really wide as he finally recognized the face from the pictures of people Julian wanted dead.

It is him Cross whispered, his voice shaking with fear. It is Daniel Kensington. We have to kill him. We have to kill him now.

The three guards did not wait. They started shooting at the same time.

The sound of the guns was really loud. It filled the warehouse. The flashes from the guns lit up the room.. Daniel was already gone.

As soon as Cross said his name Daniel moved really fast. He did not run. He slid across the floor his body low. He avoided the bullets that hit the wall behind him. He disappeared between the boxes and storage racks like a ghost.

Where did he go a guard yelled. He was shining his light trying to find Daniel. I lost him. He is too fast.

Keep your eyes open you fools Cross shouted. He was holding his gun. His hands were shaking. Daniel is one man. He does not even have a gun. Find him. Shoot him.

The three guards got together back to back. They moved slowly between the boxes. The only sounds were the rain on the roof and the guards breathing hard.

Then a shadow fell from the ceiling behind one of the guards.

Daniel landed without making a sound. Before the guard could even notice Daniel grabbed the guard's gun. Pulled it up. The gun went off hitting the roof. The flash from the gun lit up Daniel's face for a moment.

Then Daniel hit the guard in the throat with his hand.

The guard's neck was hurt badly. He fell to the floor trying to breathe.

The other two guards turned around their eyes wide with fear.

He is behind us they shouted. Shoot.

They started shooting into the dark.

Daniel did not move back. He used the guard's body as a shield. He pushed the body into the bullets. The guards had to step

While they could not see Daniel picked up a crowbar. He ran forward swinging the crowbar.

He hit one of the guards in the knee. The guard screamed. His leg was broken. Before he could fall Daniel hit him again. This time under the chin. The guard's neck. He died.

The last guard was really scared. He dropped his gun. Pulled out a pistol. He started shooting at Daniel from close.

Daniel moved to the side avoiding the two bullets. He got closer to the guard. He grabbed the guard's wrist. Twisted it. The guard's arm broke. He dropped the pistol.

Daniel did not stop. He grabbed the guard by the throat. Lifted him. He slammed the guard into a metal frame. The guard's back was hurt badly. He fell to the floor dead.

Three guards were dead in less than thirty seconds.

Daniel stood there his suit covered in blood. He dropped the crowbar. Turned to look at the server table.

Cross was standing there alone. He had dropped his gun because his hands were shaking. His face was white. His eyes were wide with fear. He was staring at the guards then at Daniel.

You are not human Cross whispered. You are a monster. Julian was wrong about you.

Daniel walked towards Cross his footsteps calm. He did not look angry. He looked like he was just doing his job.

Where is the security key Daniel asked quietly.

Cross stepped back his hands shaking. He pulled out a device from his belt. It was humming with a light. This was the key to get into the Kensington building.

Here take it Cross said. Just do not kill me. I was just following orders. I have a family.

Daniel took the key. Put it in his pocket. He looked at Cross, his eyes cold.

I know you have a family, Cross.. I also know you killed my parents' guards three years ago.

Cross's eyes got wide. He realized Daniel was not there for the key. He was there for revenge.

No please Cross begged. He fell to his knees his hands

Daniel did not wait. He raised his hand. Hit Cross in the chest. The hit was so strong it stopped Cross's heart.

Cross died before his head hit the floor.

Daniel stood there his breathing normal. He pulled out a handkerchief wiped the blood from his hands and threw it on Cross's body. He turned around. Walked out of the warehouse into the rain.

He got on his motorcycle. Drove really fast back to the airport.

Ten minutes later Daniel walked back into the plane. He was wet and covered in blood. He looked calm. He pulled out the key. Gave it to the others.

We have the key Daniel said. Tell the pilot to take off.

The plane started moving, loudly. It went down the runway. Took off into the sky.

Daniel sat in the chair looking at the picture of the Kensington building. Elena stood next to him her hand on his shoulder.

The analyst suddenly spoke up his voice worried. We have a problem, with the building's security.

Daniel looked at him. What is it?

The analyst pointed to the top of the building. The patriarch's room was flashing with light.

Julian has just taken control of the Argus system from inside the building the analyst said, his fingers moving really fast on his keyboard to try and stop the block. He did not wait for the meeting that is supposed to happen tomorrow afternoon. Instead, he sent an emergency message to the whole family council saying that you have attacked the family's properties.

Daniel's hands gripped the armrests of his seat tightly. What does Julian want to do?

The analyst said, looking at the data Julian has just told his special team to go into the patriarch's room. He is not waiting for the old man to die naturally he said, his voice shaking with surprise. Julian is going to turn off the man's life support in exactly five minutes take the special ring from his finger after he dies and take control of the whole family before our plane can even land.

This was a bad situation. Julian had set a trap in the capital before they could even get there. The patriarch's life was running out of time and Daniel was still really far away up, in the air.

Daniel looked at Arthur, his eyes flashing with a dangerous decision.

Arthur Daniel said in a voice we need to get the special parachutes ready now. We are going to jump from the plane and land on the roof of that building now.