At the east side, behind the villa, two n were clearing the area. Each of them wore headphones, dancing to music, shirtless, when a notification popped up on their phones.
The alert ca not once or twice but several tis. Surprised by the constant buzzing, Norman took off his headphone and saw Thomas do the sa.
"Did you get that???" they asked at once. Seeing that both of their phones had lit up, they rushed to where the devices lay and froze — the ssage was from an unknown number.
The text read like a greeting.
Hello Norman, hello Thomas — it’s Daniel Wolfe, Xylander’s husband and your friend. I need your utmost help.
Your friend is in danger and I need dire help — because right now, if this doesn’t work out, Xylander might get killed and I won’t be alive anymore to tell you what happened.
Norman and Thomas glanced at each other and gave the sa look. If this were a lie they’d know — that number had been given to only one person they cared about, and it was Daniel. It wasn’t a scam.
What trouble was Daniel in that warranted their help?
Thomas continued to read the ssage aloud, Norman following every word.
Soone is parading himself as right now and I want the person eliminated and dumped where the public will find him. I’m on the run, so I want to fake my death — are you up for this? Also, there’s soone at the place you’ll go to; release a tattooed man from their cell and bring him to . But whatever you do, make sure he’s heavily controlled and can’t escape.
The ssage ended with a single line: Are you in — yes or no?
Norman dropped his phone and began to think it through.
"What do you think? Are you in?" He asked Thomas. For Norman, this was an adventure — finally a chance to help a friend. The urgency in Daniel’s words ward sothing in him.
"But isn’t that extre? Killing? When have we ever done that?" Thomas protested, rolling his eyes.
"You an that one ti?" Norman grinned. "It was a mistake. You don’t expect us to do it again... right?"
Thomas smacked his head. "Have I ever let you do anything alone? Co on — anything for Daniel. Let’s finish this." They finished the last cleaning of the villa fast, typed their reply, and sent it.
Almost imdiately Daniel replied.
"Knew it, boys. I knew you wouldn’t disappoint. First, the house is the famous Golden Palace. I don’t know how you’ll get in, but get that bitch to et her maker and release the tattooed man from their cell. Whatever you do, make sure he’s controlled and can’t escape."
Norman and Thomas got the instructions, changed into baggy tops, loose trousers, and sneakers, hopped on Norman’s motorcycle, and rode toward the Golden Palace.
Inside the palace, a young man with brunette hair, an oval face, erald eyes, and ivory skin sat at the dining table opposite two figures: Grandma Rachael and Nicole.
"Please, my account is dry. I just need two hundred dollars. It’s nothing compared to what you spend here," Rachael begged.
The young man, busy with his food, looked up and smiled a little. "And what will you repay with? I can’t just casually give my money away unless it’s gone for good — that’s what I’m avoiding."
Rachael’s smile turned bitter. With her grandson jailed, his so called groom was squandering the money and running the household.
"Questioning in my house? Your stay is over, ma’am. Guards — throw this wretched thing out before I lose my patience." Rachael’s face went sour as the bulky n approached. Her legs gave way; they slung her over a shoulder like an empty sack and dragged her toward the gate. When they reached it, they tossed her out violently; she nearly smashed her head on a nearby pole.
The emotionless guards walked off without a second glance.
Back at the table, Nicole faced the young man. "Enjoying your privilege as Daniel Lancaster all too well, right?" she flashed a smile, but he didn’t return it.
"State what you want and leave. Your presence here makes sick," he warned.
Nicole slamd her hands on the table in fury. "You cunt! Have you forgotten the miserable rat you were? One word from and I’ll announce to the whole world that you’re a fake. Respect who brought you up in this life."
The fear she expected didn’t appear. Instead, the young man only smirked.
"Did I shock you? Expecting to shiver?" he said. "This house, this company — everything is now mine. The docunts and ownership are under my control. Tonight I’ll sign them. Why not sign under my na?"
He giggled; Nicole’s blood nearly froze.
As he spoke, the docunts landed on the table and he looked to soone offstage. "Where’s the lawyer?" he demanded.
An elderly man was shoved in front of them, trembling but smiling weakly.
"Before we start: you never bothered to know my na," the young man said. "Start calling Joshua. It’s official — Joshua is now a billionaire." He grinned as Nicole watched, pained.
"You can’t do this. It’s not part of our plan. Your family will pay — all your loved ones will pay," she warned.
Joshua froze for a mont, as if shaken, and Nicole let herself think she’d caught him.
"Now you’re talking. Give up everything and return it. Now that you have the chance I might even forgive you," Nicole offered.
Joshua broke into a harsh laugh. "Foolish woman!" He laughed louder, high and cruel.
"Won’t I be a fool if I let them remain where they are? My family is in another country. Try to make noise and you’ll never find them." He shoved her aside and walked to the lawyer, who was shaking.
"Now what do we do to put this all in my na — not that cunt called Daniel Lancaster?" he demanded.
The lawyer produced docunts and an audio recording. "Daniel Lancaster is the owner of the household properties, companies, and money. No one else can collect except by his permission — and when Daniel and Xylander aren’t around, only the kids can access it."
The news dropped like a bomb. Joshua nearly fainted.
"That’s impossible — where was that done?" he stamred. The lawyer seed to tremble more as he played the recording.
"I know one day my enemies will try to upsurp ," Xylander’s voice said in the clip. "I won’t let that happen. I created my will earlier; it’s in Daniel’s hands and can only be accessed through his fingerprint. If Daniel and I aren’t around, only the kids can claim it. This is my decision regarding all my wealth."
Joshua’s world started to crumble.
Nicole was stunned. How did Xylander think of this? Even if they tried, only Daniel — or the children — could access it, and Daniel had been gone for weeks.
"Why? Why? Why..." Joshua muttered.
A doorbell rang. A guard announced, "Food delivery — Thomas Cardew."
Joshua, boiling, snapped, "Tell that motherfucker to fuck off!" His voice died in his throat because a gun suddenly pressed to his head.
"Move right now and die," ca Norman’s voice, shirtless again and dangerous.
Nicole, stunned, couldn’t process what she saw. She couldn’t fathom the scene, and for a mont she was distracted by the muscular, gorgeous man before her.
Oh damn — what a hottie...
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