Volume 2: The Rules of Survival in the Underground World
Summary: Jack devises a detailed counter-strategy. He decides to use his connections and intelligence to dismantle Richard's empire piece by piece—and finally take his revenge.
Chapter 15: The Plan for Revenge
The icy wind howled through the streets of New York, carrying with it the sharp bite of winter. After leaving the police station, Jack felt the pain from his earlier fight intensifying. The adrenaline had long since worn off, leaving behind only soreness and exhaustion. Emily clung tightly to his side, her face pale—clearly shaken by the night's events. Isabella walked silently on his other side, her expression unreadable, as if she were lost in her own thoughts.
"What do we do now?" Emily asked softly, her voice trembling slightly in the cold air. Her tone carried uncertainty, even despair.
Jack took a deep breath, suppressing the ache in his chest. He knew this wasn't the time to give in to weakness. If he faltered, Emily and Isabella would be left defenseless.
"We have to leave here. As soon as possible," Jack said firmly. "Ali won't let this go. This place is no longer safe."
"But… where can we go?" Emily's voice was low, almost defeated.
Jack looked around. The dim streetlights stretched their shadows across the pavement, making them seem more isolated than ever. He realized that their current predicament was not just about escaping Ali—it was about finding shelter, a base from which they could regroup and plan their next move.
"We'll go see Old John," Jack decided. He thought of the old man he'd met in the park—eccentric, perhaps, but wise in ways that only someone who had lived on the edge of society could be. Maybe he could offer advice—or at least a safe place to stay.
The three of them hailed a taxi and rode in silence back to Central Park. At night, the park was deserted, filled only with the sound of wind rustling through the trees. Guided by memory, Jack quickly found the bench where John often sat.
There he was, wrapped in a thick blanket, holding an empty bottle and muttering to himself.
"John?" Jack called gently.
John stopped mumbling and slowly raised his head, squinting at Jack. "Ah, it's you again, young man. Did you bring me another drink?"
Jack gave a faint smile and pulled out the last few bills from his pocket, handing them over. "John, we're in trouble. We need your help."
John accepted the money without hesitation, tucking it into his ragged coat before studying Jack and Emily closely. "Trouble? Who doesn't have trouble? What kind?"
Jack briefly explained the events of the night—the confrontation with Ali, the attack, and their escape.
After listening quietly, John suddenly burst into laughter. "Ali? That little gangster from Chinatown? And you dared to mess with him?"
"I didn't have a choice," Jack replied, frustrated. "We have nowhere else to go. We're hoping you can give us some advice."
John stopped laughing, his gaze turning serious. "Advice? What advice can I give? In this world, trust no one but yourself."
"But we're outnumbered and outgunned," Emily interjected anxiously. "We can't fight him alone."
John shook his head. "Fight? Why fight? Your priority isn't victory—it's survival. You must survive first, before you can strike back."
Jack considered John's words carefully. There was wisdom in them. Their immediate goal should be safety, to gather strength and wait for the right moment.
"So what should we do?" Jack asked.
John smiled mysteriously. "The underground world of New York is far more complex than you think. Ali is just a small player. You can use his power to serve your own ends."
"Use Ali's power?" Jack frowned, confused.
"Exactly," John nodded. "Ali may be ruthless, but he has interests—personal ones. You can either ally with him or manipulate him to achieve your goals."
Jack fell silent, thinking deeply. He recalled the truth behind his downfall, Richard's conspiracy, and Emily's suffering. He realized that simply evading Ali's wrath wouldn't solve anything. He needed to act—to uncover the truth, to expose Richard, and to reclaim his life.
"John," Jack lifted his head, determination burning in his eyes. "I know what I have to do."
"Oh? And what's that?" John asked, curiosity sparking in his gaze.
"I'm going to fight back," Jack said, each word deliberate and firm. "I'll use Ali's network to investigate Richard's schemes—and make him pay for everything."
John smiled with satisfaction. "Good. With that kind of resolve, I believe you'll succeed."
"But how exactly do we use Ali's influence?" Emily asked.
Jack turned to Isabella, searching her face. "Isabella, you know Chinatown better. Any ideas?"
She paused, then spoke slowly. "Ali has many men under him. They deal in illegal gambling, smuggling, drug trafficking. We could start there—investigate these operations and look for any links to Richard."
Jack nodded. "That's a solid idea. We find one of Ali's men, learn the lay of the land, and dig up anything connected to Richard."
"But how do we get close to one of Ali's men?" Emily asked.
"That's where you come in, Isabella," Jack said. "You know people in Chinatown. Can you introduce us to someone?"
Isabella hesitated, then nodded. "I can try. But I can't guarantee success."
"That's okay," Jack encouraged. "As long as there's a chance, we have to take it."
They spent the rest of the night discussing the details. Their plan was simple yet risky: infiltrate Ali's operation through one of his lower-level associates, gather intel, and build a network of informants. They also recognized the need for funds to sustain their efforts.
"We'll need money," Jack admitted.
"I might be able to help with that," Isabella offered. "I have some contacts in Chinatown. I might be able to borrow a bit."
"Then it's settled," Jack said gratefully. "Thank you."
Though the plan was still full of uncertainties, it gave them hope—a direction forward. The night grew darker, the wind colder, but inside each of them burned a fierce fire: a fire of vengeance, of resistance, of unyielding will.
They knew the path ahead would be fraught with danger. But they were ready.
They would survive in this brutal underworld using their wits, courage, and determination—and ultimately, they would win.
Their plan for revenge had officially begun.
In the days ahead, Jack, Emily, and Isabella would face new challenges:
Getting Close to Ali's Men: Will Isabella succeed in introducing them? What obstacles will arise?Building an Intelligence Network: How can they establish reliable sources in the underground world?Securing Funds: Can Isabella secure the necessary money? At what cost?Ali's Response: Will their actions draw suspicion? How will Ali react?Uncovering Richard's Secrets: Will they find crucial evidence? What steps will Richard take to stop them?
The battle had begun.
And this time, Jack would not run.