0007: A Vow of Vengeance

FIVE YEARS AGO.

On a sunny day and a tenseful evening, after long months of legal battles between BILCO Pharmaceuticals and the Elite Attorneys Partnership, the federal Supreme Court in Washington was about to pass its final judgment on the case.

As the federal judge in charge of the case rose, the gavel in her hands poised to pass the judgment, the courtroom was filled with tension and anticipation.

"After due investigations and findings, the federal court finds you guilty of all charges brought against you, BILCO Pharmaceuticals, until proven otherwise. All your assets are hereby frozen, and you are to pay the total sum of 800 million dollars to the friends and family of the people affected by your illegal activities."

The judge struck the gavel on the sounding block, finalizing the judgment.

At the bar area where Carlos was seated, he couldn't believe what had just happened. It was as if he was in a movie scene, or everything was just a dream. He remained in a state of shock until he was tapped by his fellow lawyer, celebrating the victory with him.

"We did it, Carlos. We did it."

Carlos, still in disbelief, managed a nod as he processed the weight of the victory. The courtroom buzzed with a mixture of relief and celebration, but Carlos couldn't shake the gravity of the moment. The judgment, a culmination of years of legal battles, left him momentarily speechless.

His fellow lawyer, sharing in the triumph, continued, "This is a landmark win, Carlos. You played a crucial role in bringing justice to those affected by BILCO's actions."

As the news of the judgment spread, other attorneys in the Elite Attorneys Partnership congratulated Carlos on the successful outcome. The air in the bar area was filled with a sense of accomplishment, but Carlos's mind raced with the realization that their fight for justice had finally paid off.

As Amelia stood amidst the crowd in the courtroom, her heart heavy with the weight of the judgment. Being the daughter of one of the company's owners, she knew that this marked the beginning of the end for her family's wealth. A generational fortune built with blood and sweat, now on the verge of being taken away by a single strike of the gavel on the sounding block.

The gravity of the situation sank in as the reality of the court's decision unfolded before her. The once prestigious reputation of her family's company now tarnished, and the financial repercussions echoing through their lives. Amelia felt the weight of responsibility and the impending challenges that lay ahead, contemplating how to navigate this sudden turn of events and protect what remained of her family's legacy.

Saddened by the news, Amelia traveled back to the UK, where her family was located, to spend time with them. Upon reaching the UK, she was greeted by another piece of somber news – her father had passed away the day before, following the court's judgment. He had been struggling with a stroke for the past year.

Seated with her mother in the living room of their family home in London, Amelia and her mom discussed their next course of action. With all their company assets frozen and facing a substantial debt, they were left wondering how to navigate the challenges ahead.

Amelia, voicing her concerns to her mom, pondered, "Mother, what are we to do? We're practically broke now, all our company assets are frozen, and Dad, who always found solutions to any predicament we faced as a family, is gone."

Her mom, feeling lost, replied, "I don't know. Your dad's passing at this time is such terrible timing. There's only one thing to do now – lose all we own and pray we don't lose our lives in the process."

Amelia, curious about her father's death, asked, "How did Father die? Did he feel pain? I hope it wasn't the news of the bankruptcy that killed him. It's so mysterious how he passed away, the night the judge gave the judgment."

Amelia's mother shared what she knew, "I don't know if he was in pain when he died. I wasn't there with him. I'm damn sure the company's news played a role in his passing. He was in bad health conditions, but his death was a shock to me. We only had positive news from the doctors, and we could see he was getting better. But you know your father, he always wanted to know what was going on. He live streamed the court case on his tablet when the judge gave the judgment, even with all the advice against it by me and the doctors. He said he was okay and could handle the decision of the court, whatever outcome it brings. Clearly, he couldn't, because now he's dead."

Amelia, frustrated by her mom's decision to allow her dad to stream the court rulings and in pain, overreacted, "No, Mom, you shouldn't have allowed him access to his tablet, knowing his conditions. You killed him. Did you even love him? I don't think so because if you did, you'd have never allowed him access to his tablet."

Amelia's mom, pained by what Amelia had said, responded, "I love your dad with all the atoms in my body. What do you know about love, accusing me of killing someone I love?"

Overwhelmed by her emotions and the weight of the situation, Amelia, in a fit of anger, stomped out of the living room. The harsh words exchanged with her mother lingered in the air, leaving a palpable tension in their home.

As Amelia spent some time alone, the reality of her actions began to sink in. She realized the pain her mother must be feeling, and the grief they both shared for the loss of her father. Recognizing her outburst as unjust, Amelia felt a deep pang of remorse.

Swallowing her pride, Amelia returned to the living room where her mother was sitting. With a heavy heart, she pleaded for forgiveness, "Mom, I'm so sorry for what I said. I was angry and hurt, but I know it wasn't your fault. I shouldn't have blamed you. Please forgive me."

Amelia's mother, understanding the raw emotions they were both grappling with, looked at her with compassion. "I know, Amelia. Grief can make us say things we don't mean. I understand, and I forgive you. We're both hurting, and we need each other now more than ever."

A week later, Amelia and her family huddled together in their London residence when suddenly, persistent front doorbell rings disrupted the uneasy quiet. This was unusual as visitors were a rare occurrence in their mansion. Amelia hurried from her seat to investigate the source of the disturbance.

Peering through the door hole, she spotted a familiar face, someone she had seen with her father once or twice before. Deciding to open the door, Amelia had no inkling that he came with company. As she opened the door, the hidden armed men, lurking in the shadows, seized the opportunity and forcefully entered. The air thickened with tension as the ominous figures, masked and imposing, shattered the tranquility of their home, delivering a brutal and unwelcome message.

The leader of the group, a tall and imposing figure, stepped forward. His voice, cold and unwavering, cut through the eerie silence. "We have some unfinished business with the late Mr. Johnson. He was supposed to deliver us some materials, and now that's no longer possible, given that he's dead and the company operations have been shut down. This is a message from my boss – bring him over here."

He ordered one of his fellow armed men to bring the man they had come with, and without hesitation, he shot him through the head. The lifeless body lay in the mansion's living room, his brain scattered all over the floor.

"This is just a warning. He was the one who linked us up with Mr. Johnson. That's the price for their failure, and now that both are gone. The burden of their debts falls on you. You have four years to settle what Mr. Johnson owed us. Fail, and we'll come for more than just money." He then ordered his men to beat Amelia and her family up.

Satisfied with their operation, he signaled to his men that it was time to go. As he took a few steps towards the front door, on his way out, he turned back to the beaten and bruised family. "Oh, I almost forgot, the value of what he owes my boss is 217 million dollars, and we won't be collecting anything less than that."

The threat hung in the air, palpable and menacing. As the armed men retreated, leaving the family battered and broken, Amelia's mind raced with a whirlwind of emotions. Fear, anger, and a burning desire for retribution consumed her.

Seated in the dimly lit living room, the family grappled with the harsh reality of their situation. Amelia, her face stained with both tears and defiance, turned to her mother. "We can't let them destroy us. We need to fight back."

Her mother, nursing injuries from the brutal assault, nodded weakly. "But how, Amelia? We don't even know who these people are."

Amelia, fueled by a newfound determination, spoke through gritted teeth. "We find out. We uncover every detail of my father's dealings, every name associated with this debt. We turn the tables on them."

Her younger brother, wide-eyed and scared, interjected, "What if they come back before we can do anything?"

Amelia, looking into her brother's eyes, reassured him, "We won't let that happen. We'll be ready for them. But we need to be smart about this, gather information discreetly."

The family's living room transformed into a makeshift war room. Amelia, driven by a potent mix of rage and resilience, began sketching out a plan. They would delve into her father's financial affairs, connect with any allies he might have had, and unearth the truth that had led to their family's undoing.

Days turned into nights as the family tirelessly worked, piecing together the puzzle of debts, deceit, and danger. Amelia's determination proved contagious, and her family rallied behind her, driven by the shared goal of reclaiming their lives.

In the midst of their investigation, they discovered a network of intertwined interests, shadowy figures, and a trail of corruption that reached far beyond their initial suspicions. Amelia, fueled by the need for justice, orchestrated secret meetings with her father's former associates, slowly gaining their trust.

Late one evening, as the family gathered around the living room table, poring over documents and maps, Amelia's mother voiced her concerns. "What if we're getting in too deep, Amelia? These people are dangerous."

Amelia, her gaze unwavering, responded, "We can't back down now. If we don't fight, they'll destroy us. We need to expose them, make them pay for what they've done."

After months of investigation, her findings led her back to the US. Within a few weeks of returning to the States, a call from her brother delivered a somber and treacherous message.

Amelia's brother, his voice trembling, "Mom..." He burst into tears, the weight of the sorrow evident in his shaky words.

Amelia, fear gripping her, urgently questioned, "Mom? What happened to mom?"

Her brother, still overwhelmed by grief, delivered the heartbreaking news, "She's gone, Amelia, she's gone. Mom is gone."

Amelia's heart raced at the sound of her brother's distressed voice. Stammering, she pressed for more information, "W-what do you mean she's gone? Talk to me."

Her brother continued, revealing the tragic events, "They came back, Amelia. The armed men returned, and this time, their violence was unbearable. Mom sustained a blow to the head. By the time we reached the hospital, she gave up."

Amelia, unable to comprehend the cruel reality, remained mute in shock. With the weight of grief pressing down on her, she made the painful journey back home to bury her mother. Standing at her mother's grave, she swore to seek vengeance for the injustice that led to her mother's untimely death.

TO BE CONTINUED....