Volume 2: The Rules of Survival in the Underground World
Summary: Jack meets a new ally, a former police officer who despises Richard's criminal activities and is willing to help Jack uncover the truth.
Chapter 13: A New Ally
The dim oil lamps flickered, casting eerie shadows across Isabella's face, making her expression even more enigmatic. Jack and Emily watched her intently, waiting for her to continue.
"The core of the Blue Ocean Project isn't just about illegal financial flows," Isabella began slowly, her voice low and serious. "It's more like… a Pandora's box. Richard has invested significant resources into it, including some technologies that are unknown to the public."
Jack frowned. "Technologies? What kind of technologies?"
Isabella shook her head, her face showing signs of distress. "I don't know the specifics. But I do know that Richard's connections run deeper than we can imagine. He has access to experiments that even the government wouldn't approve."
Emily's face paled. "Are you saying… biological experiments?"
Isabella didn't answer directly but sighed heavily. "I don't know, Emily. But be careful. Richard will stop at nothing to achieve his goals."
Jack took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. He recalled the strange equipment introduced under the guise of improving efficiency and the mysterious researchers back when he was still running his company. Now, everything made sense.
"Isabella, how do you know all this?" Jack asked again, his tone more serious this time. He needed to confirm that Isabella could be fully trusted.
Isabella lifted her gaze, her eyes filled with resolve. "I once believed I could stop him. I fell in love with him, thinking I could change him. When I saw the early stages of the Blue Ocean Project, I questioned him, tried to stop him… and almost paid with my life."
She paused, then continued, "My father was Richard's lawyer. He had evidence of Richard's crimes. Once Richard found out, he arranged an 'accident,' and my father… died."
Jack and Emily stared at Isabella in shock. They finally understood why she hated Richard so deeply, why she hid in the underworld, waiting for her chance at revenge.
"I see," Jack said gravely. "Richard killed your father and tried to kill you too. You've been hiding here, gathering evidence, waiting for the right moment to strike back."
Isabella nodded, her eyes burning with hatred. "Exactly. I've been looking for a way to bring him down. I stole documents and noted key information, but I'm just one person. I couldn't fight him alone. Now that you're back, Jack, you're the one person Richard fears most. You have the power to expose him."
"What should we do?" Emily asked, gripping Jack's hand tightly, determination shining in her eyes.
Jack pondered for a moment. "First, we need to gather the evidence Isabella has collected and determine the exact nature and participants of the Blue Ocean Project. We'll dismantle Richard's empire piece by piece until we can bring him to justice."
"But Richard won't give up easily," Isabella warned. "He'll send people to hunt us down. We must be cautious."
"I know," Jack nodded. "I'll protect you both. Back on Wall Street, I only knew how to make money. Now, I've learned how to survive in the mud, how to fight in the dark. If Richard wants me dead, he'll pay dearly."
He looked around the humble basement, feeling a rare sense of peace. He knew the road ahead would be perilous, but he wouldn't back down. He sought vengeance for himself, for Isabella, and for everyone else Richard had wronged.
"Isabella, what evidence do you have?" Jack asked.
Isabella retrieved a small wooden box from a hidden corner and opened it, revealing several paper documents and a few CDs.
"This is everything I've managed to collect," Isabella explained. "Some documents detail the flow of funds related to the Blue Ocean Project, while the CDs contain photos and videos. However, the evidence is incomplete. We need more."
Jack picked up a document and studied it closely. It detailed complex financial statements showing large sums of money moving through shell companies to an entity called "Phoenix Labs."
"Phoenix Labs? What is that?" Jack asked.
"I don't know," Isabella shook her head. "All I know is that Phoenix Labs is central to the Blue Ocean Project. Richard has poured immense resources into it."
"We need to investigate Phoenix Labs," Jack concluded.
Suddenly, there was a hurried knock on the door of the basement.
Jack, Emily, and Isabella exchanged alarmed glances.
"Who is it?" Jack whispered.
Isabella listened carefully, her face turning pale. "It's Ali, the gang leader from Chinatown. He often comes here to extort money."
"Does he know we're here?" Emily asked worriedly.
"Probably," Isabella nodded. "This basement isn't entirely safe. Ali has always coveted this place."
"Jack, what should we do?" Emily's voice trembled slightly.
Jack took a deep breath, forcing himself to stay calm. He knew he had to make a decision quickly.
"Isabella, take Emily and hide over there," Jack instructed, pointing to a corner in the depths of the basement. "I'll handle him."
"Be careful!" Isabella urged, concern etched on her face.
Jack nodded and walked to the door, taking a deep breath before opening it.
Standing outside was a burly man in a black leather jacket, a vicious scar running across his face—Ali. Behind him stood several menacing-looking thugs armed with bats and knives.
Ali grinned when he saw Jack. "Well, well, if it isn't Jack? Hiding here like a rat, are we?"
Jack met Ali's gaze without flinching. "What do you want?"
"What do I want?" Ali laughed mockingly. "Protection money, of course! Isabella owes me three months' worth of protection fees, plus interest. That's five thousand dollars. Pay up!"
Jack smirked. "I don't have any money."
"No money?" Ali's face darkened. "Then pay with your life! Boys, get him!"
With Ali's command, his thugs rushed forward, swinging their weapons at Jack.
A fierce battle was about to erupt. Jack knew he had to protect Isabella and Emily. He had to fend off these thugs. He wanted to prove to Richard that he wasn't easily defeated, that he would return to Wall Street and crush him completely.
Jack clenched his fists, determination blazing in his eyes. This was just the beginning. His journey ahead would be long and fraught with danger, but no matter what challenges lay ahead, he wouldn't give up. He would use his intelligence, courage, and connections to succeed step by step, ultimately fulfilling his plan for revenge.