CHAPTER 2

In the Dawson family mansion, Mr. Max Dawson had later relocated with his wife and three children—Caden, Samantha, and Alicia—to a 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 sat in the living room black couches of their new house.

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

The T-Group boss 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 the sum of 8 million dollars to clear off my debt," Mr. Max announced to his son and family 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 of money from, and what exactly did you use it for?" Caden pressed, and Mr. Max knew there was no hiding from the truth.

"I used it for business. I'm into this money-laundering stuff, and the whole operation—along with the money and assets—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," he explained.

"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 any dealings with him? The man has a high record for clubbing, drug deals, and racketeering, 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 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 back what you borrowed, and when is the expiration date to pay off your debt?" Caden asked, annoyed. 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 were certain they weren't expecting any guests.

"No, Mother. Let me find out," Caden said as he moved over to the door. Due to their discussion, he hadn't heard the sound of 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 smacked his left cheek and sent Caden crashing to the ground.

Damian stepped over Caden and entered the living room. His eyes fell 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 said with a smirk, looking at Mr. Max, who was shivering, and at Mr. Max's two daughters, who hugged their mother in fear, 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 about his ruthlessness, which 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 a long time, and there are other things I need the money for." He took out a cigarette, and his assistant lit the end for him to smoke.

"Four years have passed. 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 don't have my men keeping eyes on you? You cannot run away. Even if you do, your family will have to pay up the money—including your two pretty daughters," he commented.

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 deep blue eyes met hers, she swiftly looked away and hid her eyes.

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

"Damian, you cannot take me. Please, just give me this month end to pay the money," Mr. Max pleaded.

"Shut up, old man. I'm only tolerating you because of my father. I'll spare you, but you shouldn't dare speak any more nonsense 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. He left the living room, walking out to his black Maybach as his men pulled the door open for him.

Damian got into his car and drove off.  Meanwhile, Caden tried to beg on his father's behalf.

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

"Stay out of this, loser!" Jeff growled. He grabbed Mr. Max, handcuffed the man, and 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 do you expect me to do? Where do I get such a huge amount of money from? Your father brought this upon himself." Mrs. 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? 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 see how I can get your father out of this mess." Mrs. Jennifer went upstairs to her room, crying, and left Alicia and her siblings speechless.