7: Peril at Every Turn
Volume Summary: During the rescue of Isabella, Jack uncovers a deeper conspiracy behind Richard. He realizes that what he faces is not just personal revenge, but a far more dangerous power struggle. He must proceed with caution to protect himself and those close to him.
Chapter 10: A New Plan
It was three in the morning. New York slept under a veil of silence, broken only by the occasional wail of a distant siren. Jack rubbed his tired eyes and lifted his gaze from the notebook on the table. The dim light cast dark shadows beneath his eyes—exhaustion and determination etched into every line of his face.
Isabella lay curled up on the bed, sleeping deeply. She had endured too much fear, too many shocks. Watching her peaceful expression stirred a deep sense of guilt within Jack. He clenched his fists and silently vowed to protect her—to keep her away from all of this forever.
Richard. That relentless specter clung to his life like a venomous snake. Through the mission to rescue Isabella, Jack had become increasingly aware of a greater conspiracy lurking behind Richard—a high-stakes power game capable of shaking Wall Street to its core.
Old John's words echoed in his mind again and again:
"Find his weakness—and strike when the time is right."
What was Richard's true weakness? Greed? Selfishness? Those were only surface traits. Jack needed something deeper, something lethal.
Kevin.
The name dropped like a stone into the still waters of Jack's thoughts, sending ripples outward. Kevin wasn't just Richard's assistant—he was his most trusted ally. They had been inseparable since university, weathering countless storms together. Richard trusted Kevin so completely, it bordered on blind faith.
"Trust is built on betrayal."
That was one of the hardest lessons Jack had learned on Wall Street.
He had seen Kevin's ambition before—his hunger for power, for wealth, for everything Richard possessed. But Richard's blind trust in him was an invisible wall, holding back Kevin's ambitions from breaking through.
Perhaps… that was the opening Jack needed.
Jack walked over to the window and lit a cigarette. The nicotine eased his nerves slightly. He needed a plan—one precise, calculated, and capable of bringing Richard down. And that plan would center around Kevin.
"Donny," he muttered under his breath, dialing the number.
"Yeah, Jack? Do you know what time it is?" Donny's groggy voice came through the receiver, clearly interrupted from sleep.
"I do. But I need to talk to you—about Richard. About Kevin."
"Kevin? Isn't that kid practically Richard's lapdog? What are you planning now?" Donny's tone sharpened with suspicion, his earlier drowsiness vanishing.
"I need you to dig up everything you can about him," Jack said evenly. "His background, his habits, his connections—anything we can use against him."
"This isn't exactly easy work," Donny replied cautiously. "Kevin's careful. Finding anything real will take time and resources."
"Money's no object if it helps me bring Richard down," Jack said firmly. "I'll give you whatever you need."
A pause. Then Donny chuckled. "Alright, deal. But don't expect miracles. That guy doesn't leave many traces."
"I understand," Jack replied. "But I believe in your skills. Contact me as soon as you have anything."
After ending the call, Jack felt a wave of exhaustion wash over him. He went to the kitchen, opened the fridge—only bread, milk, and a few bottles of water. He ate a couple slices and returned to the living room, his mind already racing again.
In addition to Kevin, he also needed a safe place—a base where he could plan without interference from Richard. The Brooklyn apartment was temporary at best. Richard's reach was everywhere. It was only a matter of time before they found it.
Emily!
The thought struck him like lightning. Emily—Richard's former lover, once his most trusted secretary. She knew his darkest secrets. And she had begun to question her loyalty, choosing instead to help Jack.
If he could find Emily, maybe he could secure a safe location—and uncover even more evidence of Richard's crimes.
He grabbed his phone and dialed her number. It rang… and rang… and then silence. He tried several times. No answer.
A chill ran down his spine. Had she been exposed? Had Richard already moved against her?
Time was running out. He couldn't afford hesitation any longer. He had to find Emily. He had to know she was safe.
Jack made his decision. At first light, he would go looking for Emily—no matter the cost.
For the rest of the night, he sat on the couch, going over every possible scenario. He examined each detail carefully, determined to leave nothing to chance.
Morning arrived. The first rays of sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting soft light across the room. Jack stood, walked to the bed, and gently kissed Isabella's forehead.
"I'll be back soon," he whispered near her ear. "Believe in me."
Then he left the apartment, hailed a taxi, and headed straight for Manhattan.
First stop—Emily's apartment.
The door was open. Inside, everything was in disarray, as though someone had searched the place violently. Jack's heart sank.
She was gone. And she had left in a hurry.
He combed through the apartment carefully, hoping to find any clue. Then, on the table, he noticed a torn scrap of paper. He pieced it together carefully. Written hastily, it read:
"Greenwich Village… coffee… Wednesday… don't trust…"
The handwriting was messy, incomplete—but Jack caught the key points. Greenwich Village. Coffee. Wednesday.
There was a café called The Poet's Corner in Greenwich Village—Emily's favorite haunt. Wednesday might have been a meeting day.
Jack left the apartment immediately, hailing another cab and heading straight for Greenwich Village. He prayed she was still safe. Prayed he hadn't arrived too late.
Meanwhile, high atop Wall Street in the tallest skyscraper, Richard stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows, gazing over the city below. Sunlight touched his face, but it couldn't erase the cold shadow in his eyes.
"Jack, do you really think you can escape?" he murmured, lips curling into a cruel smile. "You'll learn what happens to those who cross me."
He picked up his phone and dialed.
"Find Emily. Dead or alive," his voice was ice. "And keep a close watch on Kevin. I want to know his every move. Report any suspicious activity immediately."
"Yes, sir," came the obedient reply.
Richard ended the call, his eyes gleaming with danger.
He had already laid a net tighter than steel. Jack and Emily wouldn't escape. Not this time.
A new storm was about to erupt over New York.
And Richard would be at its very center.