Mark wound his hands through his hair, frustrated beyond belief. "Shit… what do I do now?" His phone started ringing.
"Who the hell is this—?" He paused mid-rant when the caller ID came into view. He quickly answered. "Hello, Angel. What's the status?"
"Mark… she's been placed on a heart machine for now. Maxwell's already paid half a billion for this particular treatment." Mark's eyes widened. "Tell Maxwell I'm really grateful. But next time, he should ask Paul to handle the transaction." Angel sounded worn out. "You don't get it, do you? This amount… it has to be paid every single day."
"What??" Mark cursed under his breath. "No wonder the man's the richest in the damn world. I mean… fuck." He stared blankly at the floor, heart thudding.
"Regardless of the amount," he said finally, "I'm willing to pay. And by the end of today, I will find her real parents. Trust me on this."
"If you say so…" Angel trailed off. Mark ended the call and immediately barked, "Scorpion!"
"Yes, sir!" The man came running in. "Catch. Mark tossed him the phone."
"There's an unknown number I dialed earlier track it. I want the person's exact location in one hour."
"Yes, sir!" Scorpion disappeared with the phone.
***One Hour Later***
Scorpion returned, slightly out of breath. "Sir, I've got the location. He lives in the Bronx 24A Calanal Street."
Mark's eyes darkened. "Get the men ready. We're taking him down tonight."
There was something dangerous lethal in his voice. Without delay, Mark and his team drove through the city streets, tires screeching as they tore into the Bronx district. After a tense ride, they pulled up in front of a modest two-storey home.
Mark stepped out, scanning the quiet neighborhood. Looks peaceful… he thought, smirking to himself. He approached the door and rang the bell. A few moments later, it creaked open revealing a little girl with big brown eyes and a shy, heavenly smile.
Mark crouched to her level.
"Hi, princess," he said kindly. "I'm here to see your father. Is he home?" The girl blinked. "Did you just call me princess, Uncle?"
"Yeah, because you are," he chuckled. "But I don't have a tiara…" she pouted.
Mark turned slightly. "Scorpion, get the girl a tiara." "But sir—"
"Now," Mark said, not looking back.
A moment later, a man probably in his forties approached the doorway.
"Akira, baby, who's at the door?" he asked, voice calm but wary. "Daddy, look! It's a handsome man, and he called me a princess!" the girl giggled.
The man's face instantly changed. "Urhm… Akira, sweetheart, go inside." Just as she turned to go, Scorpion returned, arms full of shopping bags tiaras, Barbie dolls, tea sets, dress-up kits. He handed them over.
"Akira, wait up," Mark called softly. He handed her the gifts and gently placed a sparkly tiara on her head. "Now do you believe you're a princess?" "Of course, Uncle! Thank you so much!" she beamed. "Good girl. Now go play with your new toys."
The girl skipped away happily, singing to herself. Mark's eyes turned cold as he looked at her father. "She's adorable. I'd hate to imagine what might happen to her if you don't give me the information I need."
The man began to tremble, his face turning pale. "Scared already?" Mark asked with a dangerous smile. "What's your name?"
"I… I'm Officer Jacobs."
"Hmm… Officer, do you see those armed men behind me?" "O-Of course… I do," he stuttered.
"Good. Now listen carefully. Jake Scott gave me your calling card. He said, 'I hope you understand one day.' But guess what? I still don't understand." Mark stepped closer, voice low and sharp. "So tell me… what the hell was he talking about?"
"I'm sorry, sir… but I can't give you that information," Jacobs replied, voice shaking. "Jake probably died because of that information. I feel awful for keeping it, especially because… it concerns someone's life."
"Then why aren't you doing anything about it?" Mark snapped. "I've tried," Jacobs said quickly. "I've been trying to get an audience with Dr. William for months. But it's impossible. Only top-level elites ever get to meet him. Why would a common investigator like me get that chance?"
Mark stared at him in silence, the wheels in his mind turning.