The Castaway Supreme

Chapter 4: The Shadow Assistant

Christian did not move from the window. His eyes stayed locked on the massive black sedan parked in the mud. The car was worth more than this entire block of houses. In a poor place like this, a vehicle like that meant only two things. It meant an ultra rich lord was visiting, or a powerful enemy had arrived to kill someone.

The heavy passenger door swung open quietly. A tall man stepped out into the dirty alley. He wore a crisp, tailored navy suit that did not have a single wrinkle. His shoes were polished black leather, and he did not seem to care that he was stepping right into a puddle of muddy water. He had grey hair at his temples and a serious, sharp face.

Christian’s heart gave a sudden thump. He recognized that face instantly.

It was Vance.

Vance was his father's most trusted advisor, the man who had helped Christian run the entire Sterling Financial Empire. He was the only person who knew all of Christian's secret bank accounts and hidden safe houses. 

For two years, Christian thought everyone had betrayed him. But seeing Vance’s tired, worried eyes looking around the slum alley, Christian knew the truth. Vance had not given up on him. He had been looking for him this whole time.

Christian turned away from the window. He had to move fast. If Clara or Peter saw this luxury car, they would ask too many questions. He slipped out of the bedroom and walked down the back wooden stairs, moving as silently as a cat. He opened the creaking wooden back door and stepped into the cool, damp alley.

Vance was standing by the car, holding a physical folder. When he heard the door open, his head snapped around. His eyes landed on Christian.

Vance froze completely. He looked at Christian's torn clothes, his dirty kitchen apron, and the dried blood on his cheek. For five long seconds, the older man could not speak. His lips trembled, and his hands began to shake violently. The paper folder dropped from his fingers, spilling white documents all over the wet ground.

Master Christian. Vance whispered, his voice cracking with deep emotion. Is it really you. You are alive.

Christian walked forward, his posture straight and proud. The lazy, slouching look of Marcus the beggar was gone. He looked exactly like the billionaire king he used to be.

Quiet, Vance, Christian commanded in a low, firm tone. Do not use my real name out loud here. The walls have ears.

Vance immediately picked up the papers from the ground and stood at absolute attention. He wiped a tear from his eye. I knew it. I knew you did not die in that river. 

Your uncle and your ex-wife Evelyn told everyone you were gone. They took over the central board of directors. They tried to stop me from looking for you, but I never stopped. I have searched every slum in this country for twenty-four months.

Christian smiled coldly. They will pay for what they did, Vance. Every single one of them. But for now, my survival must remain a total secret. If my uncle finds out I am alive, he will launch a full war before I am ready. Let them think they are safe on my throne. The higher they climb, the harder they will fall.

Yes, Boss, Vance said, his eyes burning with new hope. What are your orders.

I need you to quietly activate my hidden underground funds, Christian said, his voice dropping to a whisper. Do not touch the main Sterling bank accounts. My uncle is watching those. Use the secret Swiss accounts under my mother's maiden name. I need cash, and I need a secure line of communication.

I understand, Vance nodded quickly. I have already kept those accounts completely hidden from the board. There is over fifty billion dollars in cash ready for your command right now. You can buy anything you want. You can destroy your uncle's businesses tomorrow if you wish.

No, Christian said, his eyes turning dangerous. A quick death is too merciful for them. I want to take away everything they love first. I want them to lose their money, their status, and their pride. I want them to beg for mercy on their knees, just like they made my loyal workers do.

Vance bowed his head with deep respect. As you wish, Boss. I will set up the hidden accounts immediately. No one will see the money moving.

Christian looked back at the diner's door. He could hear Peter hammering a wooden table inside. Also, Vance, I want you to protect this diner and the family inside it. They saved my life when I had nothing. Do not let anyone touch them, but do it from the shadows. They must not know who I really am yet. It is too dangerous for them.

Vance reached into his expensive suit jacket and pulled out a small, sleek wallet. He took out a unique, solid black credit card. It had no numbers on the front, only a small gold crown engraved in the corner. It was the Sovereign Black Card, a token that allowed the owner to spend unlimited wealth anywhere in the world without any questions asked.

Take this, Boss, Vance said, holding the card out with both hands. This will give you access to the first ten million dollars of your underground funds. You can use it to handle any small problems in this district.

Christian reached out his hand to take the black card. His fingers were just an inch away from the shiny plastic.

Suddenly, a loud, terrifying rumble shook the ground beneath their feet. The window glass in the alley began to rattle violently. It sounded like a massive iron monster was crawling down the street.

Before Christian could touch the card, a sharp, piercing scream cut through the heavy air.

Marcus. Help.

It was Clara’s voice. She was screaming from the front of the diner, her tone filled with absolute horror.

Christian’s head snapped toward the corner of the alley. He ignored the black card, turning his body instantly toward the main street. He ran past Vance’s luxury sedan and peered around the brick wall of the building.

A massive, yellow industrial bulldozer was rolling slowly down the narrow slum street. Its giant metal blade was scraping against the concrete, throwing sparks into the air. 

Standing right next to the driver’s cabin was Kane, the loan shark. He had a thick white bandage wrapped around his face where Marcus had struck him earlier, but his eyes were full of crazy, evil laughter.

The bulldozer did not stop. It was heading straight for the front entrance of Peter’s diner, aiming to crush the entire building into pieces while Clara and her father were still inside.