CHAPTER 2

Five years later.

In the Dawson family mansion, Mr. Max Dawson had relocated with his wife and three children—Caden, Samantha, and Alicia—to the new home.

Caden was Alicia's older brother. He was now 28 years old and wondered what was going on with his father. He didn't understand his father's business, but he knew his father had been receiving frequent calls.

"Dad, what's going on with you?" Caden asked his father as they sat in the living room of their new house.

Mr. Max had moved out of his old mansion after he couldn't pay the debt. He had only managed to pay 2 million dollars out of the 10 million he borrowed, but he knew he couldn't run away for long.

The T-Group had gone silent, which made him extra worried.

"Nothing. I just want to tell you the problem that's making me restless. I need 8 million dollars to clear my debt," Mr. Max finally announced to his son as he sat on the couch.

"What?!" Caden rose from the couch in shock.

"8 million dollars? Father, where do we raise such a huge amount from, and what exactly did you use it for?" Caden pressed, and Mr. Max knew there was no hiding the truth.

"I used it for business. I'm into money laundering, and the whole operation got liquidated and seized by the government. The fact is, I've been doing it for years with no problems—until Damian Tucker took over the mafia world in this territory."

"What?!" Caden gasped, and his mother and two sisters looked at their father in horror.

"Who doesn't know Damian Tucker, the ruthless mafia boss? How could you get into dealings with him? The man has high records for clubbing, frauds, and loan sharks, and the police is doing nothing to apprehend him. Now I hear he bought a new mansion worth 10 billions. How did you get yourself into business with him? He must have scammed you," Caden said as he paced the living room. He was annoyed, but his father shook his head and said, "Damian didn't scam me. The business failed, and that was all."

"I don't believe that. So where do we raise the money to pay back what we borrowed, and when is the deadline for the debt?" Caden was annoyed, and before Mr. Max could speak, they heard a knock on the living room door followed by the doorbell.

"Who's there? Caden, are you expecting anyone?" Mrs. Jennifer asked. It was past 10 p.m., so they weren't expecting guests.

"No, Mother. Let me find out." Caden moved to the door. Due to their discussion, he hadn't heard the cars arriving at their home.

However, as Caden pulled the door open, Damian Tucker stood there, dressed in black, with his men behind him.

"Who are you, and what do you want?" Caden asked, but Damian smacked his left cheek and sent Caden crashing to the ground.

Damian kicked Caden aside and entered the living room, his eyes falling on the family that shook in fear and fell to their knees as they saw him enter.

"Mr. Max Dawson. What a long time no see," Damian asked with a smirk, looking at Mr. Max, who was shivering, and at Mr. Max's two daughters, who hugged their mother, afraid, thinking he was a criminal.

Caden winced in pain after Damian kicked him and entered the room.

Damian's aura was very intimidating and spoke volumes of his ruthlessness, which had grown over the years.

"What do you want, Damian? I promise to pay the money. Just give me time," Mr. Max begged, falling to his knees.

"Please, spare my family. I promise to pay you," Mr. Max pleaded, and Damian replied, "I wish I could, but you've delayed the payment for a long time, and I need the money for other things." He took out a cigarette, and his assistant lit it for him to smoke.

"Four years have passed. Don't you think the money should have generated interest by now?" Damian asked, standing and looking at Mr. Max, who was shivering on the ground.

"I know. I swear I'm working on raising the money," Mr. Max pleaded as he watched Damian smoke.

"How? By running away with your family? Do you think I don't have my men watching you? You cannot run away. Even if you do, your family will pay the debt—including your two pretty daughters."

Alicia and Samantha shivered in shock. However, Samantha raised her head and peered at Damian's face as she hugged her mother, afraid of the cold man.

Samantha was shocked to see how handsome Damian looked standing in the living room. But when his blue eyes met hers, she swiftly looked away and hid her eyes.

"Please, spare my two daughters. I promise to pay this year. I'm working on another business that will generate the money. Please..." Mr. Max begged, but Damian refused, even though he knew he was the one who had hijacked their last business.

"No. I cannot give you any more time. Get him, boys!" Damian ordered, and Mr. Max was stunned.

"You cannot take me, Damian. Please, just give me this month end to repay the money," Mr. Max begged.

"Quiet, old man! I'm only tolerating you because of my father. I'll spare your tongue, but you shouldn't dare speak any more nonsense to me. Your family will pay the debt. Failure to do so, I'll deal with you for wasting my time. Take him away, Jeff!" Damian ordered, and he left the living room, walking out to his black Maybach Benz. His men in black opened the door for him. Damian hopped into his car and drove off.

"Please, let my father go. I will pay his debt!" Caden tried to beg, but Jeff kicked him away.

"Stay out of this, loser!" Jeff growled and grabbed Mr. Max's hands, handcuffing the man before he took him away.

"Mom, what are we going to do? They have taken our father," Alicia and her siblings asked their mother, but Mrs. Jennifer shook her head.

"What can I do? Where do I get such a huge amount from? Your father brought this on himself." Mrs. Jennifer cried, but Alicia replied, "Mom, Damian said he would come for us if we don't pay. We are doomed."

"I know. So where do we start? You don't earn much as a nurse. Samantha doesn't earn much as a top model, and how about you, Caden? Even as a lawyer, you cannot do anything to save your father. I don't know. I will ask my family for help. That's all I can do now to get your father out of this mess." Mrs. Jennifer went back upstairs to her room, crying, and left Alicia and her siblings speechless.