Volume 2: The Rules of Survival in the Underground World
Summary: Jack begins to suspect that Isabella is hiding something. Her past and true identity may hold secrets far deeper than he ever imagined.
Chapter 12: Isabella's Secret
Richard's icy gaze coiled around Emily like a venomous snake, making her shiver involuntarily. Jack tightened his grip on her hand, silently assuring her with a steady look.
"What do you want, Richard?" Jack asked, his voice low and edged with menace.
Richard laughed—a cruel, mocking sound. "Jack? Still alive? Now that's a surprise. I thought you were rotting in some gutter by now. But judging by your current state… maybe you're already halfway there."
He sneered at Jack's ragged appearance, eyes gleaming with satisfaction. "Emily, out of old sentiment, I'm giving you one last chance. Come back to me, and I'll forget everything. Otherwise, your fate will be far worse than his."
Emily clenched her jaw, disgust flashing in her eyes. "Over my dead body, Richard! I'd rather die than go back to you!"
The smile vanished from Richard's face, replaced by a chilling expression of malice. "Fine. Fine! If that's how you want it, don't say I didn't warn you."
He gave a subtle nod to the driver, who immediately stepped out of the car and began advancing toward them.
Jack knew they had no time to waste. He grabbed Emily's hand and sprinted into a narrow alleyway. Behind them, the driver cursed loudly as he gave chase.
"Damn it! Don't run! I'll make you regret this!"
The alley twisted through layers of trash and forgotten debris. Jack navigated the labyrinthine paths of the underworld with practiced ease, using every turn to widen the distance between them.
"Jack, where are we going?" Emily gasped, clearly exhausted from the frantic escape.
"There's a safe place," Jack replied. "Isabella told me about a hidden basement deep in Chinatown. We can lay low there for a while."
They ran until they reached the crowded streets of Chinatown, where the chaotic noise and dense crowds offered a perfect cover. Jack led Emily through the maze of people, ducking behind stalls and slipping through alleys, until they arrived at a nondescript grocery store.
"This way," Jack whispered, pushing open the back door.
Beyond it stretched a dim corridor, ending in an old wooden door. Jack knocked twice. A low, cautious voice responded from within.
"Who is it?"
"It's me—Jack."
The door creaked open slowly, revealing Isabella's tired but alert face. She looked surprised—and curious—as her eyes landed on Emily.
"Jack! You're back. And… who's this?"
"This is Emily. My… friend. We're being hunted. We need a place to hide," Jack explained.
Isabella nodded and stepped aside. "Come in. It's safe here—for now."
They entered the damp, dimly lit basement. Flickering oil lamps cast long shadows across the moldy walls.
"Thank you, Isabella," Jack said gratefully.
"You're welcome," she replied. "But tell me—who exactly are you running from?"
Jack quickly recounted the events—Richard's betrayal, the false accusations, and the recent confrontation outside the pawn shop.
When he finished, Isabella's expression darkened. "Richard… He just keeps getting bolder."
She paused, then asked suddenly, "Jack, have you ever wondered why Richard wanted to destroy you?"
"Of course," Jack replied. "To take over my company—and control Emily."
"Maybe it's more complicated than that," Isabella said, shaking her head. "Do you remember the 'Blue Ocean Project' your company was involved in years ago?"
Jack frowned. "The Blue Ocean Project? Wasn't that scrapped?"
"Only publicly," Isabella said, her voice dropping to a whisper. "I used to work for Richard for a short time. I know things most people don't."
"What do you know?" Jack pressed urgently.
"The project never ended—it was moved underground. It became a secret operation involving massive illegal financial flows," Isabella revealed. "If exposed, it would cause a scandal big enough to bring down entire institutions."
Jack's eyes widened in shock. "That's impossible…"
"Nothing's impossible with Richard," Isabella continued. "He silenced anyone who got too close to the truth—even if that meant murder. Maybe that's why he framed you. To keep you quiet forever."
Jack turned pale. His hands clenched into fists. "So… Emily might be in danger because of this too?"
"Very likely," Isabella confirmed. "Richard wants full control of the company. And since Emily was the closest person to you, controlling her means controlling everything."
"Damn it!" Jack spat, rage burning in his eyes. For the first time, he saw the full scope of Richard's cruelty—and the depth of his own entanglement in a game far larger than he'd realized.
"Thank you for telling me this, Isabella," Jack said. "But how did you find out all of this?"
Isabella sighed, her gaze distant. "Because… I once had a relationship with Richard. I lived in his world. I saw the man behind the mask."
"You…" Emily's voice softened with sympathy. "You were a victim too?"
Isabella nodded. "Yes. I believed I could change him. But I was wrong. He was already consumed by greed and power. When I tried to leave, he threatened me. That's why I've been hiding here—waiting for the right moment to expose him."
"And now I'm back," Jack said, determination returning to his voice. "Maybe together, we finally have a shot at bringing him down."
Isabella looked into Jack's eyes and saw the same fire that burned in her own heart. "Then let's fight together."
In that damp basement, three people from different worlds stood united by a common goal. They knew the path ahead would be dangerous, filled with blood, betrayal, and sacrifice—but they were ready.
Suddenly, the wooden door burst open with a violent kick.
"Found you!" a masked figure shouted.
Gunfire cracked through the air.
Richard's men had tracked them down.
Jack pulled Emily behind him, eyes blazing with fury.
Their war had just begun.
And death was already closing in.