3/3
Chapter 152
Chapter 152
Charles walked out of the hall when, suddenly, almost all his bodyguards‘ smartphones started ringing.
Some couldn’t help but glance at their screens, curiosity tugging at them.
A few, after reading the message, exchanged looks, their eyes filled with confusion and silent questions.
Then, one of the braver guards finally spoke.
“Sir Charles, I don’t mean to be impolite, but… I need to ask. Is it true that your money is gone? Like, gone gone.”
“What do you mean, gone?” Charles frowned, his gaze sweeping over his men.
Yet, they all looked back at him, waiting for an answer.
“We just got a message,” the guard continued hesitantly.
+25 BONUS
“All your bank accounts have been frozen under Jasmine Kingston’s report to the financial authorities. They found stolen money in the accounts. You’re practically broke.”
A tense silence fell. The bodyguards exchanged uneasy glances.
Most of them were here for the money–what would happen now that their boss had nothing left to pay them?
Then, Jasmine stepped into as Alex following close behind.
Her expression was calm, almost amused. “He practically has nothing anymore,” she said. “Even his cards have been blocked.” Charles‘ fury ignited. His jaw clenched as he took a step toward her “How dare you —”
“Typical,” Jasmine interrupted, unimpressed. “When you can’t win, you resort to threats.”
Alex moved forward, his eyes fixed on Charles. “Why don’t you ask where your friend Bill and those black magic practitioners are? The ones you trusted to help you?”
Charles froze. He had sent them to kill Jasmine. But now, she stood here unharmed–and they were nowhere to be found.
His voice was hoarse when he finally spoke. “What happened to them?”
Alex’s expression darkened. “If you try anything against Jasmine again, you’ll meet them out soon enough.”
Charles’s frustration snapped. “Guards, seize these two! Now!”
But none of them budged. They exchanged uneasy glances instead. Finally, one guard just shook his head.
“I’m done,” he declared, ripping off his earpiece and tossing it aside. “No money, no reason to stick around.”
Others hesitated, then started drifting away too.
“What are you doing?” Charles sputtered, stunned. “Come on! I’ll still pay you. It’s just a temporary freeze… I have money, I swear!”
One of the guards turned back with a bored sneer. “Yeah? Show me”
Charles fumbled with his smartwatch, pulling up his bank apps.
He stared, horrified, at the frozen balances. His trembling fingers betrayed his panic.
The guard scoffed and walked off.
“Guys, wait!” Charles lurched after them. “Double pay, triple pay just don’t leave!”
They ignored him, striding away without a backward glance.
1/3
Chapter 162
“Cowards!” Charles roared, teeth bared, “You bastards you dare walk away from me?”
Thetist lashed out, catching one guard on the shoulder.
The guard simply blocked him, then slammed a punch into Charles’s face.
Charles stumbled back, blood trickling from his lip.
+25 BONUS
“H How dare you hit me!” he wheezed, more shocked than hurt. These people were supposed to cater to him, profect him.
Then, one of his own drivers stepped up and drove a brutal kick into Charles’s stomach.
Charles doubled over, gasping.
“How dare I?“” the driver repeated, his voice dripping with disdain
“I only ever followed you because of your money. You never treated me–or any of us–like human beings. Now you can’t pay, you’re nothing”
He planted another kick in Charles’s ribs. “So cough up my salary, you arrogant prick.”
“I–I… just need-“Charles tried to speak, but words came out in useless stammers.
Lack of money is the root of all evil.
A guard nearby snorted. “Fat chance he’ll pay you. The guy’s more broke than a stray dog.”
He laughed and tore the gold ring right off Charles’s finger.
“No! That’s my mother’s-” Charles started, but the driver cut him off with a hard punch to the jaw.
Charles reeled, and that was the cue for the others to join in.
Fists flew, shouts echoed, and Charles’s expansive watches, necklace and wallet vanished into someone’s pocket.
He tried to fight back, but it was useless.
The men he’d once lorded over were now taking turns paying him back for every insult and indignity.
Off to the side, Alex observed with a grim sort of acceptance. Jasmine’s expression was unreadable, her lips set in a thin line.
She turned to Alex.
“Let’s go,” she said quietly.
Alex nodded and held out his arm, guiding her away as Charles was left on the ground, cursing and howling in pain.
Outside, Jasmine spared one last glance over her shoulder.
“I wonder if he regrets everything now,” she murmured, but there was no sympathy in her voice.
She slipped into her limousine, Alex right behind her.
“Are you hurt?” she asked, her tone unexpectedly gentle as her eyes roamed over him.
“I’m fine,” Alex said. “What’s next on your list?”
Jasmine exhaled wearily. “There’s a lot to set right. Now that Charles is out of the way, it’s up to me to deal with the chaos he left behind.”
Before Alex could respond, a voice called from across the parking lot.
“Alex!”
He turned to see Lyra Thompson hurrying over, her hair bouncing around her shoulders.
Chapter 152
“Lyra?” He raised an eyebrow, “What’re you doing here?”
+25 BONUS
“Sophia’s event, remember?” she replied, a bit breathless. “Anyway, I heard you’re still hunting down rare herbs, right?”
“Yes,” Alex said, brightening at the change of topic. “Got a lead?”
“Raymond Wellington,” Lyra announced proudly.
“His family’s been in pharmaceuticals for generations. The guy’s practically hoarding rare herbs. I snagged an appointment– want to come?”
Jasmine watched her carefully from inside the limo, trying to place Lyra.
Daughter of Joe Thompson, she recalled, but also… potential rival for Alex’s attention?
Alex gave Jasmine a small nod of apology. “I’ll see you soon. Please take care of yourself.”
Jasmine looked like she wanted to say something, but he’d already shut the car door and moved off with Lyra.
As Lyra drove them away, she kept her eyes on the road. “So, this Wellington guy’s a fan of your pills–he wants to do business. Apparently, his family vault is stacked with all kinds of rare herbs.
“Let’s hope he has what I need,” Alex murmured, settling back in the seat. They rode in companionable silence until Lyra suddenly shot him a sly look.
“You know,” she said, “I tried calling you a few days ago–radio silence for three straight days. Busy with something… or someone? A woman?”
Alex rolled his eyes. “Believe it or not, I have a life.”
Lyra gave a knowing smirk. “Ah, so you weren’t alone.”
Alex rolled his eyes, refusing to answer.
How did the women around him always seem to know when he’d been with someone else?
