Where's the hard drive, Mike?"
a man dressed in a black jacket and jeans asked him. Standing next to him was another man, who appeared to be his companion. Both of their faces were covered with black masks, concealing their true identities.
What hard drive? I don't know what you're talking about," Mike replied, his voice strained with pain. His face was covered in wounds, evidence of the torture he had endured.
Suddenly, the door opened, and two men dressed in suits entered the room. Behind them stood a man in a luxurious suit. It was Jacob Evelyn's uncle, the firstborn of Henry Royce. The room went into silence as he entered, his presence commanding attention.
I've got to say, I didn't expect the famous investigative journalist of Ashwood to be living in such a hole," Jacob said, his voice laced with sarcasm.
Mike smiled, despite his battered face. "I only had doubts until now, to think that you were the one behind all of this," Mike replied, his eyes locked on Jacob with an intense look.
"He won't talk, boss," the man dressed in the jacket said. "Don't make this more ugly than it needs to be, Mike. Tell us where the hard drive is."
"Screw you," Mike replied, his voice fueled by intense energy.
Jacob's face twisted in rage as he heard Mike's defiance. He punched Mike's face repeatedly, each blow landing with a sickening crunch. Mike's head jerked back with each impact.
"We found this in here, boss".
" the man in the jacket said, holding up a suitcase. He opened it, revealing its contents. Inside, there were some files and a revolver.
Jacob seemed amused as he saw the revolver.
"Look what we have here. I've got to say, Mike, you have good taste in guns."
Jacob pointed the revolver at Mike's forehead.
"Last chance, Mike. Where is the hard drive?".
Mike started laughing and coughing up blood.
"No wonder your father gave his inheritance to his granddaughter instead of you," Jacob sneered. "How did it feel when he chose her over you?"
As soon as he heard this, he shot Mike in the head, making a hole in his forehead. Blood splashed onto his face. "Wrong answer," Jacob said coldly to the dead body.
"His bodyguard gave him a white towel as he wiped the blood from his face. 'Destroy every single piece of evidence he has on us,Burn this house with him.' Jacob said.
'Understood,' the man in the jacket said, his voice laced with respect and fear."
"On this bitterly cold and lonely night, as the world around him slumbered in warmth and comfort, Landon stumbled home exhausted, still clad in his bright red pizza delivery uniform."
his hair was mussed from the constant wind in his face as he zipped through the streets on his scooter. He kicked off his scuffed-up sneakers and dropped his helmet onto the floor, the metallic clang echoing through the quiet space. As he made his way to the small table in the corner, his gaze fell upon the stack of letters waiting for him.
Among the bills and advertisements, one letter caught his eye - a formal envelope with the bank's logo emblazoned on it. Landon opened the envelope and pulled out the letter, his eyes scanning the page with growing dread as he sat on the traditional Japanese tatami mat at the low, wooden dining table in his dining room.
The soft glow of the paper lanterns overhead cast a warm light on the rustic wooden accents and the vibrant colors of the ancient scrolls adorning the walls.
"Landon's eyes widened in shock as he read the letter's ominous warning: 'You are required to pay the remaining debt of $2,000,000 within one month from the date of this letter. Failure to deposit the remaining amount will result in the bank seizing possession of Ryujin Dojo, held as collateral under your name.'"
leaping off the page and striking him like a physical blow.
"How am I supposed to pay 2 million dollars in just one month?!"
Landon exclaimed, his voice laced with frustration and desperation. He raised his face, his eyes locking onto the family portrait hanging on the wall. The image of his younger self, standing proudly beside his sister Mei, and their parents, seemed to mock him now.
"What will I do, Dad? Why did you leave me with a mountain of debt under my shoulders?" he shouted, slamming his hand on the table in anguish. His phone rang suddenly, breaking the silence. Landon hesitated for a moment before answering, trying to compose himself.
"Hey, Mei," he said, attempting to sound normal.
"Hey, bro! Just a reminder, I left some food in the freezer for you. Don't skip dinner, okay? Eat properly,"
Mei's voice came through the line, oblivious to the turmoil her brother was in.
"Thanks, sis. I'll take care of it," Landon replied, trying to sound casual.
"And, big bro, don't overwork yourself to death, okay? Now that I have a job, you can take it easy. .You've done enough, Landon. I want you to live your life," Mei said, her voice filled with concern and affection.
Landon's eyes welled up with tears as he heard his sister's words. He felt a mix of emotions: gratitude, love, and a hint of guilt for not being able to share his struggles with her.
"I'll try, Mei. Thanks for understanding," he managed to say, his voice cracking slightly.
"Bye, big bro,get some sleep" Mei said, before hanging up.
Landon took a deep breath, feeling a small sense of relief wash over him. He knew he couldn't keep his struggles hidden forever, but for now, he just nodded to himself, trying to hold on to his sister's words of encouragement.