The first attack on Jack

Chapter Eight

Jack woke up the next morning with no idea that his life had already begun to fall apart.

He arrived at his workshop shortly after seven in the morning, as he usually did. The compound looked strangely empty, and he stopped at the entrance.

Something was wrong.

The workshop looked almost deserted.

Jack walked farther inside.

For the first time, fear settled deep inside his chest.

The heavy mechanic's tools, welding machine, compressors, and diagnostic equipment were gone.

Even the old vehicles waiting to be repaired or sold for parts were gone.

Jack stood motionless.

"What happened here?"

He looked around again.

Then he noticed the gate.

The lock had been broken.

Someone had entered during the night.

Jack immediately pulled out his phone and called one of his workers.

The man answered after several rings.

"Hello, boss."

"Where is everybody?"

There was silence.

"What do you mean?"

"Everything is gone."

"What?"

"Come to the workshop immediately!"

Within minutes, his workers arrived, equally confused. Nobody knew who had taken the equipment.

Jack walked around the compound.

Even the battered cars that had been abandoned there for months had been taken.

"Why would thieves steal scrap vehicles?" one of his workers asked.

Jack had no answer.

The question troubled him.

Whoever had done this had wanted to clear the entire workshop.

Jack immediately called the police.

A few hours later, officers arrived, photographed the broken gate and examined the ground.

"Do you have any idea who might have done this?"

"No," Jack replied.

"Any business rivals?"

"No."

"Anyone you have a disagreement with?"

Jack shook his head.

"I don't have enemies."

The officer looked at him seriously.

"Someone went through a lot of trouble to remove everything from this place."

Jack lowered his eyes.

"I don't understand it either."

While the police were investigating the workshop, Jack received another shock.

He went to the bank to check his account.

His balance was almost zero.

Jack stared at the screen.

"No."

The same figure appeared.

He immediately approached a bank official.

"There must be a mistake."

The official examined his account carefully.

"I'm sorry, sir. There have been several withdrawals and transfers."

Jack's face went pale.

"I didn't make any of them."

"Your account credentials were used to authorize the transactions."

"I didn't authorize anything."

The bank immediately placed restrictions on the account and began investigating.

Jack walked out of the bank feeling as though the ground had disappeared.

His workshop had been emptied. His money was gone. He had no idea who was responsible, and there was no explanation.

Across town, Julian sat comfortably in his office.

He looked relaxed, almost pleased.

The anger he had displayed the previous night was gone. In its place was a cold satisfaction.

Raymond stood before him.

"Everything has been done," the bodyguard said.

Julian leaned back in his chair.

"The workshop?"

"Cleared."

"The vehicles?"

"All of them."

"Even the old ones?"

Raymond smiled.

"Everything that was there."

Julian nodded.

"And the bank?"

"Done."

Julian picked up his glass.

"Good."

He had not wanted Jack dead. Not yet.

That would have been too simple.

He wanted him humiliated. He wanted him struggling. He wanted Jennifer to see Jack as a man who had nothing.

Julian believed money was the foundation of power. Without it, Jack would eventually disappear from Jennifer's life.

"Let's see how long the mechanic lasts."

Jennifer arrived at Jack's workshop that afternoon.

The moment she stepped through the gate, she froze.

She looked around in disbelief.

"What happened?"

Jack turned toward her. He looked exhausted.

"I don't know."

"Where is everything?"

"Stolen."

Jennifer's face tightened.

"Everything?"

Jack nodded.

"The police are investigating."

She walked toward him.

"What about your account?"

Jack looked away.

"My money is gone too."

Jennifer's eyes widened.

"What?"

"Someone emptied the account."

She covered her mouth in shock.

Then she looked at him carefully.

"Jack, this isn't normal."

"I know."

"Someone is targeting you."

Jack shook his head.

"Why would anyone target me?"

Jennifer had no answer.

She remembered Julian's angry expression when she rejected him.

But she pushed the thought away.

She didn't want to accuse anyone without evidence.

The police eventually left after taking statements and promising to investigate.

Jennifer remained beside Jack.

She looked at the empty workshop, then at him.

"You have to accept my money."

Jack immediately shook his head.

"Jennifer..."

"No."

He looked at her.

"This time, I'm not asking."

"Jennifer, I can't."

"You can."

"I don't want your money."

"I don't care."

She stepped closer.

"Look around you."

Jack remained silent.

"Everything you built is gone. Your equipment is gone. Your vehicles are gone. Your savings are gone."

Her voice softened.

"I cannot stand here and watch you start from nothing again."

"Let the police finish their investigation first," she continued. "After that, we are starting the automobile business."

Jack sighed.

"Jennifer..."

"No."

She took his hand.

"You said you wanted to build something with your own hands. Fine. Build it. But this time, build something bigger."

"You really won't take no for an answer?"

Jennifer shook her head.

"Not this time."

Despite everything that had happened, Jack managed a faint smile.

Jennifer squeezed his hand.

"We will rebuild."

Jack nodded slowly.

Neither of them knew that the man responsible for destroying Jack's old life was already watching from the shadows.

And Julian had no intention of stopping there.