Volume 1: Fallen from Grace
Summary: Jack formulates a preliminary revenge plan, deciding to start with Richard Greene's transactions and gradually dismantle his power.
Chapter 13: The Seed of Revenge
"Richard Greene, you bastard!" Jack's roar tore through the noisy atmosphere of the bar like a thunderclap.
Caught off guard by the sudden intrusion, Richard nearly dropped his cigar. Narrowing his eyes, he recognized the disheveled man in tattered clothes standing before him. A flicker of surprise crossed his face, quickly replaced by mockery. "Jack? What a rare sight. I was wondering if you'd drowned in some gutter by now."
Emily's pale face lit up with a glimmer of joy at the sight of Jack, but worry soon overshadowed it. "Jack, get out of here! It's dangerous!"
Ignoring Emily's plea, Jack's gaze locked onto Richard Greene with the intensity of a wounded beast ready to pounce. "Richard, you set me up, didn't you?"
Richard shrugged nonchalantly. "Set you up? Jack, don't make accusations without proof. Your company went bankrupt because of your own mismanagement. What does that have to do with me?"
"Liar!" Jack bellowed, lunging at Richard.
Anticipating the attack, Richard's two burly bodyguards immediately stepped in front of him. Muscular and trained, they were formidable opponents.
Though Jack had once been a Wall Street elite, years of hardship had taken their toll on both his body and spirit. Against these professional guards, he stood little chance.
The bodyguards attacked from both sides, fists flying towards Jack. He barely dodged one punch but took another squarely in the abdomen. Groaning, he flew backward and crashed heavily to the ground.
Pain clouded Jack's vision, but he forced himself to stand. He couldn't fall—not while Emily was still in danger.
"Jack, are you okay?" Emily struggled to rise, only to be restrained by Richard. "Emily, stay put, or I can't guarantee what will happen to you."
With a cruel smile, Richard looked down at Jack. "Jack, look at yourself. How pitiful. From the heights of Wall Street to this… it's quite a fall."
"You won't get away with this for long!" Jack gritted his teeth. "I'll uncover the truth and make you pay!"
"Pay? Hahaha…" Richard laughed mockingly. "Jack, what makes you think you can? With your current status—a homeless nobody—no one will believe you."
He leaned closer, lowering his voice. "But I can give you a chance. Kneel and beg for mercy, and I might let you live."
Without hesitation, Jack spat at Richard's face. "No way! I'd rather die than beg you, scum!"
Enraged by Jack's defiance, Richard wiped the spittle from his face, his expression darkening. "Fine, very well! Since you're so stubborn, don't blame me for being ruthless! Beat him senseless!"
The bodyguards moved swiftly, raining punches on Jack. His face bruised and blood trickling from his mouth, Jack felt as though his bones would break. Yet, he clenched his jaw, refusing to cry out.
He knew he couldn't win, but he couldn't give up—not for his sake, and not for Emily's.
Just as Jack was about to lose consciousness, the bar door swung open, and a familiar figure appeared.
It was Isabella!
Seeing the scene, Isabella's face darkened. She shouted loudly, "Stop it right now!"
Isabella had some clout in New York's underworld, and her shout made the bodyguards pause momentarily.
"Isabella, what are you doing here?" Richard frowned.
Isabella hurried to Jack's side, helping him up. "Richard Greene, this is too much! Bullying an unarmed man—what kind of person are you?"
"This is between Jack and me. Stay out of it," Richard warned.
"I won't!" Isabella retorted. "Jack is my friend. Whoever dares to harm him, answers to me!"
Knowing Isabella had influence, Richard realized confronting her could be problematic. "Isabella, are you really going to oppose me for this vagrant?"
"Yes!" Isabella declared firmly. "Today, I'm protecting him!"
Richard glanced at Isabella, then at the fallen Jack, and finally decided to back down. "Alright, since you insist, I'll give you this face. But remember, Jack, today's humiliation will be repaid tenfold!"
With that, Richard left the bar with Emily and his bodyguards.
Isabella helped Jack up, asking anxiously, "Jack, are you alright?"
Jack shook his head, forcing a weak smile. "I'm fine, thank you, Isabella."
Looking at Jack's battered face, Isabella felt a pang of heartache. "Don't be silly. Come on, let's take you to the hospital."
"No need, I'm fine," Jack refused. "I can't let Richard know where I am."
Understanding Jack's concern, Isabella supported him out of Oasis and back to her place.
Under Isabella's careful care, Jack's injuries began to heal. Lying in bed, staring at the ceiling, anger and frustration filled his heart.
Richard Greene, you'll pay for this!
This encounter ignited the fire of revenge within Jack. To exact justice, he knew he needed to become stronger—to return to Wall Street and reclaim everything that belonged to him.
And now, the seed of revenge had been planted in his heart. Next, he needed to nurture it, letting it grow until it bore the fruit of vengeance.
Looking out the window, the starry night sky of New York seemed to guide him. He knew his path of revenge had just begun.