"Is that the president?!"
"Is this real?!"
"This isn't fake, right?"
"They actually buried the president alive and they even recorded it!"
The citizens of Maharlika were in an uproar. They couldn't believe that there was actually someone who would dare to bury the president alive. Furthermore, they even broadcast it to the whole country!
The police were quickly mobilized after this startling live footage was released on social media. The group responsible for the president's capture also hacked into a television network and displayed the video to the public.
Inside the office of the commander of the armed forces of Maharlika, Lieutenant General Rivera watched the live broadcast with a serious expression on his face. He never thought that Arlan would actually do something so shocking. "That man... is he not afraid that I would stab him in the back?" He muttered to himself.
He was already aware that Arlan would dispose of the president, but he didn't think that Arlan would actually cause such a commotion.
Lieutenant General Rivera grabbed his phone and called his most trusted subordinate. "Don't get too involved in the search. Just put on a show to everyone and make them think that we are doing our best."
"Yes, sir!"
Lieutenant General Rivera called a few more people and told them the same thing. "There will be too much work for the police and the government after this incident." He chuckled as he put down his phone.
***
"Heeeellllllppppp!!! Ahhhhh!!! I curse you, *omitted*! Even if I turn into a ghost, I will haunt you, *omitted*!"
Arlan watched the live footage of the president as he struggled inside the coffin. He also showed the live video to the president's wife, but she closed her eyes and sobbed quietly.
"I don't want to see it!" She cried while hugging her legs.
Arlan retracted his gaze from her and said to the soldiers. "Let's get out of here. Make sure that there are no traces left behind."
"Yes, boss!"
Arlan left the site, while some of his subordinates remained to clean up their traces.
Inside the vehicle. "Boss, what should we do with her?" Conrad asked while pointing at the president's wife.
"She can still be of use. The Maracas Family has a private army. Although we have already eliminated the president, the Maracas Family could still control them. We will use her as a bargaining chip to keep those soldiers in check." Arlan said as he crossed his arms.
Conrad furrowed his eyebrows. "Didn't you say that only the president has control over them?"
Arlan nodded and replied. "That was before, but it looks like the president had some contingency plans. He wasn't entirely an idiot after all. According to Winter, the president gave his son the authority to control his private army."
Conrad revealed a solemn expression when he heard this. "How about we strike them while they are unprepared?" He suggested.
Arlan shook his head. "No! It's too risky. The other countries allied to Maharlika might get involved. If we confront those guys, many of our people will die in the process. I don't want that to happen."
"I apologize for my foolish suggestion, boss!" Conrad lowered his head.
Arlan smiled at him and patted his shoulder. "It's fine. Let's wait for Winter's people to come up with a strategy for us."
"Yes, boss!"
"By the way, what do you plan to do with that guy, boss?" Conrad asked.
Arlan knew who he meant. "You mean the president's bodyguard?"
Conrad nodded his head. "I have fought against him and I can say that he has the potential. If he is trained appropriately, he will be as strong as our elite soldiers. He has also been at the president's side for over three years so might be able to help us in acquiring the Maracas Family's hidden wealth."
Arlan pondered deeply upon his words. Conrad's suggestion was good, but he didn't know if they could trust Ken completely. "I'll inform Winter about this." He said.
The group returned to the mansion in Forbes Park after almost an hour of travel. Upon their arrival, the soldiers immediately placed Ken and the president's wife inside the basement. They made sure that the workers of the mansion wouldn't see them. Although Arlan was very generous to them, they might not be able to fully accept his ways so it was better to hide some things from them. Among the maids, the only one he could trust was Sofia, while the others were still questionable.
"I want to see my men! Please allow me to see them!" Ken pleaded to Conrad.
Conrad hesitated when he heard his plea. "I can't make a decision. Let me ask for the boss' opinion. Wait here." He said before he went upstairs to look for Arlan.
Conrad found Arlan in the living room chatting with Winter.
Arlan turned his gaze to him and asked. "What's up?"
Conrad looked away from Winter and stared at Arlan. "Boss, that guy wants to see his comrades."
Arlan rubbed his chin with a thoughtful look. "Alright, but make sure he doesn't speak anything about us." He replied.
"Got it, boss! Sorry for the disturbance." Conrad bowed and left right away. He returned to the basement and called the people responsible for locking up Ken's subordinates.
"Sir Conrad, are there any orders from the boss?" The person on the other line asked.
"The boss allowed Ken to speak with his subordinates. Turn on the video call function so he can see them." Conrad said before giving his phone to Ken. "Here. You have five minutes to speak with them."
Ken quickly grabbed the phone and stared at the screen. He saw his subordinates huddled together inside a dimly lit room. There were armed soldiers observing them.
Most of his subordinates had bruises all over their body, but none of them were critically wounded. He heaved a sigh of relief after seeing this. His subordinates were also ecstatic when they saw him safe. They only had five minutes to spare so they only talked about everyone's condition.
R𝑒ad latest chapt𝒆rs at f(r)eew𝒆bnovel.com Only