A stone throw.

Max POV.

It's been two days since I got the message from Josephine Oniels at the hospital.

My mom has been discharged, she is well and hearty.

I tried calling her number, but It didn't connect.

Seems her captor Mr Thwane Clark had really been up to no good recently, the call really sounded like an emergency.

But why then hasn't she replied to any of the messages, my text messages went through, but my calls are repelled off.

My life is so fucked up right now.

"Max!!!"

I looked up only to see Director Lex, the head of token economics and economics modelling, standing in front of my office desk.

He wore his anti-glare glasses almost exactly like the one I had on.

His hair is superb. Every strand of his hair is meticulously arranged, creating a flawless magical art of wonder.

His cologne was just perfect, a subtle blend of earthly notes and a hint of citrus lingered in the air like a captivating mystery.

It was a fragrance that spoke of confidence and sophistication and his blue eyes matching his blue tie made him totally irresistible to the ladies.

" Max! Are you listening to me?" His voice laced with authority, I couldn't help but wonder how he put up all this glamour and still beats all of us to work, giving us at least a 45-minute mins gap.

" Yes sir, am listening" I say, adjusting my green tie.

"Are you done with the Cryptanalysis I sent you last week…boss needs it in 20 mins…asap."

"Am done with the frequency analysis and in a minute I will be done with the linear Cryptanalysis," I say, as I plopped back into my seat.

"Good boy! son" he said as he tugged his hand into my hair.

I like him a lot, he is intelligent and loves suspenders just like me.

Meanwhile…

If only Mr Thwane Clark knew what was coming his way, he would rather be careful.

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" Listen up guys! Once I move, follow my lead." My voice Ortund as I commanded some group of street boys. I had paid $20 each to help me pull this off.

Immediately Mr Thwane Clark ESV made its way towards the bridge, Thomas and I watched as the car came to an abrupt halt.

We had scattered tire spikes on the roadside and his car tires did climb the spikes and got punctured.

As soon as the driver came out, stones, eggs and all manner of rubbish were heaved at them in the car.

I moved out of my hiding place, and my brother with a mask on, we heaved large stones on the car windshield till it shattered to pieces.

Thank God none of his henchmen had their guns on them.

One of them chased me and my brother and caught up with us, he had almost removed my mask after finishing me off when my brother intervened.

Good thing he took his black belt classes seriously, unlike me who was too focused on my academics.

At least that would teach Mr Thwane Clark not to mess with my Josephine.

—------------------------------------------------------

"Max!" Thomas' voice came through, piercing my ear drum.

I slowly raised my bandaged head, my eyes still flickering shut.

I had really taken quite a beating from one of Mr Thwane Clark's henchmen.

Trying to stand, I fell back onto the Sofa, excruciating pain jolted up and down my spine.

" When are you going to stop?" His voice was tremulous. I could sense trepidation reeking all over him, his voice was dripping with care for his elder brother.

"Stop what exactly…"

My eyes furrowed up in astonishment at the question he had asked.

" I mean you almost got killed today because of her… I think it's high time you forgot about her and moved on… I don't think Mr Thwane Clark would have spared you if he got to know that you are the one that pulled this off." His eyes welling with tears as he daps my back with a hot towel.

I looked at him without saying a word.

"I mean I know you love her… isn't that why you did all 'the voice' told you to do just to keep her safe?" His voice is feathery, he reminds me of Mom.

Thomas is the replica of my mom while I looked almost exactly like my dad.

He is right I did all I did just to keep Josephine Oniels safe, the part of the agreement I don't remember signing is the part where she will be married off to Mr Thwane Clark, MetapleX's number one business rival.

For all I know Mr Thwane Clark might be the one who planned all this, he planned the crash of MetapleX just to marry Josephine Oniels, my true love.

"You may be right, Thomas!... But I just can't leave her in the hands of that devil"

I say as I input my two-way verification access as I log into the dark web.

The door of my room closes vehemently, making me shudder.

Thomas just left the room.

Something is going on here and I am just unlucky to be caught up in the middle.

Mr Thwane Clark had been the main suspect, I should have seen this coming, I have got to prove it.

Looking through the dark web portal, I accessed classified information about Mr Thwane Clark's illegal activities, his illegal involvement in the last election that was conducted in the country, illegal drug deal involvement, kidnapping and trafficking of young teenage girls.

This is just too heinous of a man.

I looked to see if I could find any other thing but my portal access just expired.

"Dang it! I am logged out."

I was able to gather some documents, but on second thought, I looked at the screen and it read…Files already exist. I shudder backwards in trepidation.

Yes…I downloaded these files and sent them to the 'voice'. whoever was behind the voice told me it was to blackmail someone.

So if my assumptions are right and Mr Thwane Clark is the voice, why did he ask for the documents?

Something is fishy. Does he want to blackmail himself?

Is Mr Thwane the mystery person or something else?

I have to get to the bottom of this.

But first I have to go rescue Josephine tonight.

My eyes glinted.