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, as they moved into the new mansion.

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 kind of business, but he knew that his father had been receiving calls frequently.

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

Four years ago, Mr. Max had moved out of his old mansion after he couldn't pay off the debt. He was only able to pay up 2 million dollars out of the 10 million he borrowed, but he knew that he couldn't run away for long.

Four years had passed, and the T-Group had been silent, which made him extra worried.

"Nothing. I just want to tell you what the problem is that is making me restless. We need the sum of 8 million dollars to clear off my debt," Mr. Max announced to his family as they sat on the couch.

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

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

"I used it to do business. I am into this money laundering stuff, and the whole money and assets got liquidated and seized by the government. The fact is, I have been doing it for years with no problem 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 and devil? How can you get into any dealings with him? The man has a high record for clubbing, and narcotics, and the government is doing nothing to apprehend him. Now, I heard he bought a new mansion worth billions. How did you get yourself into business with him? He must have scammed you?" Caden said as he paced about 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 off the money you borrowed, and when is the last date to pay up your debt?" Caden was annoyed, and before Mr. Max could speak, they heard a knock on the living room door followed by the doorbell sound.

"Who is there? Caden, are you expecting anyone?" Mrs. Jennifer asked as it was past 10 pm, so they were certain they weren't expecting any guests.

"No, mother. Let me find out," Caden moved over to the door. Due to their discussion, he didn't hear the sound of the cars arriving at their home.

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

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

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

"Mr. Max Dawson. What a long time, no see?" Damian asked as he smirked, looking at Mr. Max, who was shivering, and at Mr. Max's two daughters who hugged their mother, afraid, as they thought he was a criminal.

Caden winced in pain after Damian smacked him and stepped over him, before entering the room.

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

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

"Please, spare my family. I promise to pay you off," Mr. Max pleaded, and Damian replied, "I wish I could, but you have delayed the payment for too long, and there are other things that I need the money for." He took out a cigarette, and his assistant lit the end for him to smoke.

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

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

"How? By running away with your family? Do you think I do not have my men's eyes on you? You cannot run away. Even if you do, you have your family to pay up the money, including your pretty daughters."

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

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

"Please, spare my daughters. I promise to pay this year. I am 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 the last business between them.

"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 year to pay the money."

"Shut up, old man. I am only tolerating listening to you because of my father. I will spare your tongue, but you shouldn't dare to speak any more nonsense sermons to me. Your family should pay up the debt. Failure to do so, I will eliminate you for wasting my time. Take him away, Jeff!" Damian ordered, and he left the living room, walking out to his car, where his men pulled the car door open for him.

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

"Stay out of this, loser!" Jeff growled and grabbed Mr. Max, handcuffing the man, and they took him away.

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

"What do you want me to do? Where do I get such a huge amount of money from? Your father caused this upon himself." Lady Jennifer cried, but Alicia replied, "Mom, Damian said he would come for us if we don't pay him. We are doomed."

"I know. So where do we start from? 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 their help. That's all I can do now to see how I can get your father out of this mess." Mrs. Jennifer went back upstairs to her room, crying, and leaving Alicia and her siblings speechless.