Jake groaned, his head pounding as he slowly regained consciousness. Darkness engulfed him, the scratchy blindfold tightly tied over his eyes heightening his disorientation. His arms and legs felt numb, restrained by something cold and unyielding.
"Where... am I?" he muttered under his breath, straining against the bindings. His mind raced, trying to piece together the events that led him here. He recalled walking with Lily and Everlyn, their laughter filling the air—then nothing but a blur of shadows, rough hands, and muffled screams.
"Who were those bastards?" he hissed to himself, frustration mounting. "How did they snatch us so fast?"
Before he could dwell further, the blindfold was yanked off with a sharp tug, light flooding his vision. Jake blinked rapidly, his eyes adjusting to the dim, flickering fluorescent bulb overhead. The room around him was decrepit—cracked walls, water stains, and a faint stench of mildew filling the air.
Glancing to his sides, his heart sank. Lily and Everlyn were tied to chairs beside him, their heads slumped forward, still unconscious. Fury and worry bubbled within him, but he forced himself to stay calm, his mind calculating an escape.
The sound of rough laughter caught his attention, and he turned his head to see a group of thuggish men gathered near the doorway. Their clothes were mismatched, their faces bearing scars and tattoos that told tales of violence. They were deep in conversation, their voices low and rough, completely ignoring him for now.
Jake gritted his teeth, observing them carefully. Armed? Possibly. Organized? Doubtful. But what’s their endgame?
His gaze shifted to Lily and Everlyn again. "Hang in there," he whispered, his voice barely audible. "I’ll get us out of this."
And as he watched the thugs laugh and scheme, a spark of determination lit within him. They may have caught him off guard, but he wasn’t about to let them win.
But not long after, Jake’s jaw tightened as the creak of the worn door echoed in the room. A young man walked in, his crisp, well-tailored attire a stark contrast to the thugs surrounding him. His scholarly demeanor made him seem out of place, but the way the thugs instantly straightened and bowed their heads told Jake everything he needed to know. This wasn’t just some rich kid stumbling into the wrong crowd—this was their leader.
"Fernando," one of the thugs muttered with reverence, stepping aside to let him through.
The young man’s gaze locked onto Jake, and a grin spread across his face. "Ah, you’re awake. Perfect timing."
He waved a hand casually. "Get me a chair. I feel like having a little... chat."
One of the thugs scurried to obey, dragging over a rickety wooden chair and positioning it in front of Jake. Fernando sat down, crossing his legs with a confidence that made Jake’s blood boil.
"So," Fernando began, his tone light and conversational, "you must be Jake, Hutton Maxwell’s dear protégé. I’ve heard plenty about you."
Jake didn’t bother hiding his glare. "Save the pleasantries. What’s your endgame for dragging us here?"
Fernando chuckled, leaning back in his chair. "Straight to the point. I like that. But where’s the fun in skipping the introductions?"
"Get to it," Jake snapped, his voice firm despite his restrained position.
Fernando’s grin widened, but a cold edge crept into his eyes. "Very well. Since you’re so eager to know, let me refresh your memory. Your master, Hutton Maxwell, orchestrated one of the greatest humiliations my family has ever endured in Star City. A single move from him cost the Pedri family millions and tarnished our reputation. A disaster we’re still recovering from."
Jake raised an eyebrow. "And that’s why you kidnapped us? Revenge? Sounds pretty pathetic for someone trying to act all high and mighty."
Fernando’s cheerful facade cracked for a split second, a flicker of irritation flashing across his face. "Revenge, yes," he admitted, his voice hardening. "But I don’t just intend to settle the score—I want to return the favor tenfold. Hutton took something from us. Now, I’ll take something far more valuable from him. And the best part? He’ll be helpless to stop me."
Jake’s eyes narrowed. "You’re playing with fire. Hutton won’t let this slide."
Fernando leaned forward, his grin returning but with a darker edge. "That’s the point, my dear Jake. Let the game begin."
––––
The roar of the train pulling into Houston faded as Hutton, Veronica, Bob, Ling Fei, Rebecca, Vivian, and Kenneth stepped onto the bustling station platform. The city’s towering skyline stretched before them, but none of them were in the mood to admire the view.
Hutton’s eyes scanned the group, his expression tense. "We’re here, but now comes the hard part—finding where they’re keeping Jake, Everlyn, and Lily."
Kenneth stepped forward, his tone calm yet firm. "You don’t need to worry about that. I took the liberty of implanting a tracking chip in Jake some time ago. It’s something I do with all our field operatives, just in case they go missing during missions."
Hutton’s shoulders relaxed ever so slightly. "Good thinking, Kenneth. That makes this a lot easier."
But then, he turned to the women in the group, his expression hardening. "Listen, we don’t know what we’re walking into. This could be far more dangerous than anything you’ve faced before. I want the four of you to find a safe place to hide and stay there until this is over."
Vivian immediately frowned, stepping forward with her arms crossed. "Hide? Hutton, we didn’t come all this way just to sit on the sidelines!"
Hutton met her gaze, his voice steely. "Vivian, I’m not asking. I’m telling. This isn’t just some bar fight or petty street scuffle. Whoever’s behind this isn’t playing games, and I won’t have any of you getting hurt because of my fight."
Vivian opened her mouth to argue further but faltered when she saw the unyielding determination in Hutton’s eyes. Ling Fei and Rebecca exchanged glances but nodded in reluctant agreement.
Just as the tension seemed to ease, Veronica stepped forward, her expression resolute. "I’m not hiding."
Hutton blinked, taken aback. "What?"
"I’m tagging along," Veronica said firmly, her voice unwavering. "I can handle myself."
"This isn’t the time for bravado, Veronica," Hutton said, shaking his head. "This is—"
"I’m a Foundation Establishment stage cultivator," Veronica interrupted, her words causing everyone to freeze.
Hutton’s brows shot up in surprise. "You’re a cultivator?"
Veronica nodded, her gaze meeting his evenly. "I’ve kept it hidden, but I’m not helpless. I can fight, and I’m not going to sit back while you all put yourselves in danger. This is my choice."
Hutton stared at her for a long moment, weighing his options. Finally, he sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Fine. But you stick with me and Bob. No unnecessary risks. Understood?"
Veronica gave a firm nod, her determined look unwavering.
Kenneth cleared his throat, breaking the moment. "The tracker’s signal is coming from the east side of the city. If we hurry, we can close the distance before they catch wind of us."
Hutton took a deep breath, his resolve hardening. "Then let’s move."
As the group began to make their way through the crowded streets of Houston, the stakes weighed heavily on everyone’s minds. The battle to rescue Jake, Everlyn, and Lily had begun.
Meanwhile, at that same eastern part of Houston, there is a particular balcony that lies within a residence that is nothing short of grand and luxurious.
The balcony overlooked the glittering expanse of Houston’s skyline, a stunning view framed by the warm hues of a setting sun. The luxurious residence it belonged to was a palace of wealth and power, its opulence apparent in every detail—from the marble floors to the intricately designed railing.
Seated at a sleek glass table were a man and a woman, each holding a glass of exotic drinks. The man, clad in a sharp suit that exuded authority, swirled the amber liquid in his glass, a faint smirk playing on his lips as he enjoyed the view. The woman, elegant and poised in a flowing black dress, leaned back in her chair, her sharp eyes reflecting the fiery sunset as she took a slow sip from her glass.
The tranquil moment was interrupted by the faint sound of footsteps. A young man, dressed in a formal yet subdued outfit, appeared silently behind them. His presence was announced only by the faint rustle of his movement.
He bowed slightly, his voice steady but urgent. "Sir, Madam, Hutton Maxwell and his group have arrived in Houston."
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The man didn’t react immediately, his smirk widening slightly as he continued to gaze at the cityscape. But the woman’s demeanor changed instantly. Her glass halted mid-air, and then, with a deliberate motion, she placed it down on the table. The gentle clink of glass against marble seemed deafening in the otherwise quiet moment.
Her voice, cold and measured, cut through the air like a blade. "So, it begins."
The man finally spoke, his tone laced with amusement. "Well, this should be entertaining. Let’s see how far he’s willing to go."
The woman’s lips curled into a chilling smile. "He’s walking into a storm. Let’s make sure he drowns in it."
The young man nodded, retreating silently into the shadows, leaving the two to their ominous musings as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a deep orange glow over the city.