Chapter 2

Five years later.

Inside the Dawson family mansion, Mr. Max Dawson had relocated with his wife and three children, Caden, Samantha, and Alicia, as they moved to the new mansion.

Caden, Alicia's 28-year-old older brother, 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 were in the living room of their new house.

Four years ago, Mr. Max had packed up and left his old mansion after he couldn't pay the debt. He had only been able to pay $2 million out of the $10 million he had borrowed, but he knew he couldn't run away from it forever.

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's making me restless. I need $8 million to clear off 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? 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 there was no hiding the truth.

"I used it for money laundering. The whole money and assets got liquidated and seized by the government. The fact is, I've been doing it for years, and it was fine until Damian Tucker took over the mafia world in this territory," Mr. Max replied.

"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 can you get into any dealings with him? The man has a high record for fraud, and the police are doing nothing to apprehend him. Now, I heard he bought a new mansion worth millions. 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 debt, 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.

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

"No, Mother. Let me find out," Caden moved 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 behind him.

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

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

"Mr. Max Dawson, what a long time no see?" Damian asked, smirking as he looked 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 smacked him and entered 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 on 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 a long time, and there are other things I would need the money for." Damian stood with a strict face as he continued.

"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.

"How? By running away with your family? Do you think I don't have my men's eyes on you? You cannot run away. Even if you do, you have your families 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 blue eyes met hers, she quickly looked away and hid her eyes.

"Please, spare my two daughters. I promise to pay this year. I am working on another business and would 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," Mr. Max begged.

"Shut up, old man. I am only tolerating listening to you because of my father. I will spare you, 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 deal with you for wasting my time. Take him away, Jeff!" Damian ordered and left the living room, walking out to his car, and 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!" Jeff growled and grabbed Mr. Max, handcuffing the man and taking him away.

"Mom, what are we going to do? They've taken our father?" Alicia asked her 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 up. 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 can't 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 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.