Mag-log inThe morning sun filtered through the curtains of the Plank mansion. James sat alone in his father's study. The leather file lay open on the desk, surrounded by newspaper clippings, photographs, and handwritten notes. He had spent most of the night reading. The deeper he looked, the clearer one thing became. Luciano hadn't acted alone. He never had. A soft knock came at the door. "Come in," James said. Rose entered quietly with a tray of breakfast. "I had a feeling you skipped dinner." James smiled. "And now you're making sure I don't skip breakfast?" "I know you too well." She placed the tray on the desk and noticed the dark circles beneath his eyes. "You didn't sleep." "I tried." Rose poured him a cup of coffee. "You won't think clearly if you keep pushing yourself." James took the cup. "Thank you." For a moment, neither of them spoke. Then James picked up one of the documents. "This is what I was looking for." Rose moved closer. "What is it?" James pointed
A layer of dust covered almost every piece of furniture.The house had been empty for years.Yet somehow...It still felt alive.James stepped into the living room, his footsteps slow and careful.His eyes wandered across the faded curtains, the old fireplace and the wooden staircase leading upstairs.Everything looked smaller than he remembered.Rose remained quietly beside him, allowing him to take it all in.Victor walked toward the fireplace."I used to sit here with your father after our meetings."James smiled faintly."And my mother?"Victor's expression softened."She always complained that we talked too much about business."A small laugh escaped James."That sounds like her."For the first time since arriving...The house didn't feel haunted by tragedy.It felt like a home.---James slowly climbed the staircase.Each step creaked beneath his weight.At the end of the hallway stood a small bedroom.The door was slightly open.James pushed it gently.Inside...Time seemed to
"James... move!" Cole shouted.James immediately stepped away from the table.Everyone instinctively reached for their weapons.For a few seconds...Nothing happened.The red light continued blinking steadily.Victor cautiously moved closer."It's not an explosive," he said after a careful look.Cole let out the breath he had been holding."What is it then?"Victor pointed to the small device hidden beneath the table."A tracker."James frowned."A tracker?"Victor nodded."The moment we entered this room, it activated."Rose looked around uneasily."So whoever planted it now knows we're here."James lowered his pistol."Luciano."Victor didn't answer.He already knew.Cole carefully removed the device from beneath the table."It's transmitting."James looked at the envelope still lying on the table."Forget the tracker.""I want to know why he left this."He slowly opened the envelope.Inside was a single sheet of paper.Unlike the previous messages...This one wasn't typed.It was h
The drive back to the mansion was unusually quiet.James sat in the passenger seat, gently turning the silver ring on his finger.His father's words...Marco's confession...The pocket watch...Everything seemed connected.But one question refused to leave his mind.Who was the man with the serpent?---As soon as they arrived at the mansion, James headed straight for his father's study.He placed the ring on the desk beside the pocket watch.Rose entered a moment later carrying two cups of coffee."I thought you could use this."James smiled."I definitely can."She handed him one of the cups before sitting beside him."You've been thinking ever since we left the bank."James nodded."I feel like I'm standing in front of a puzzle."Rose looked at the ring."And you're missing one piece."James smiled faintly."Exactly."Rose reached for the black file."Maybe your father already left the answer."James opened the file once more.This time, he examined every page carefully.Suddenly..
The click of the cassette player echoed through the vault.For a long moment, no one spoke.James carefully removed the tape and placed it back inside the metal case.His father's final words lingered in his mind."Choose life."He took a deep breath before reaching for the black leather file.Victor watched him quietly."Your father spent weeks putting that file together."James looked at him."You knew what was inside?"Victor shook his head."No.""He never let anyone read it."James slowly opened the file.The first page contained only one sentence."Truth is not always justice, but it is always necessary."He turned to the next page.Inside were several documents neatly arranged.Business agreements.Property records.Lists of names.Some had been circled in red ink.Others had handwritten notes in the margins.Cole leaned closer."These look like records from the old organization.""They are," Victor replied.James continued turning the pages until a photograph slipped onto the
James held the envelope carefully, almost afraid to open it.His father's handwriting brought back memories he thought time had erased.Rose gently squeezed his arm."You can do this."James nodded.With unsteady hands, he broke the seal.Inside was a single folded letter.He unfolded it slowly.For a moment...He couldn't bring himself to read.Then he took a deep breath."My son,If these words have reached you, then I know you have grown into the man I always prayed you would become.First... let me tell you something I never had the chance to say.None of what happened was your fault.Never carry my death as a burden on your shoulders.I made my choices, and I accepted the consequences long before that night arrived.If you are standing here today, then it means Victor kept his promise.Trust him.He has made mistakes, but he never stopped protecting you.I know you'll want answers.You'll want to know who killed me.You'll want to know why Luciano betrayed me.Those answers are i
They returned just before sunrise. The black car rolled up slowly into the driveway. James stepped out first, holding the metal box tight in his arms. His face was calm, but his eyes were burning with everything he had just seen.Cole followed behind him, silent, scanning the area while Jennie wal
Chapter They drove for hours without saying much. The silence inside the car was heavy, filled with thoughts, worries, and old fears. Outside, the road stretched endlessly beneath the dark sky. The only sound was the hum of the tires and Ariel's soft breathing as she slept in Rose's arms.James k
The sun came up slowly, painting the sky with soft colors—orange, yellow, and light blue. It was a quiet morning, and everything felt calm for the first time in a long while.James opened his eyes and looked around the small living room where they had all slept. He was on the couch. Rose was sleepi
Rose’s hands shook as she looked at James. She wanted to tell him everything, but the words stuck in her throat. She doesn't wish to hide anything but still she doesn't want to spoil their good moments together and that's just the irony of a lady in distress.James waited patiently, his eyes soft b







