Volume 3: The Rise to Power
Summary: Emily begins to realize she has been used by Richard and feels a deep sense of guilt. She starts secretly helping Jack gather evidence against Richard.
Jack's heart felt like it had plunged into an icy abyss, struggling to contain the emotions that surged within him. Richard's treachery far exceeded his expectations. Not only had he taken everything from Jack, but he also attempted to harm Old John—and even manipulated Emily, who had been loyal to him!
"Emily Brown…" Jack whispered, the name piercing his nerves like a needle. She was Richard's secretary, his lover, and perhaps the most trusted person in his inner circle. Now, she might become the pivotal piece in bringing down Richard.
Li had completed the backup and encryption of all files. Seeing Jack's stern expression, almost dripping with anger, Li asked cautiously, "Jack, what are you planning to do? These pieces of evidence are enough to put Richard behind bars. Should we hand them over to the FBI?"
Jack shook his head slowly, a cold smile curling at the corners of his mouth. "Behind bars? Too easy for him. I want him ruined, betrayed by everyone, stripped of everything, so he can taste the despair I once endured! He needs to understand that crossing me is worse than death!"
Taking a deep breath, he tried to steady his trembling hands. The fire of revenge burned fiercely in his chest, illuminating his path forward.
"Li, find out Emily Brown's address and her usual contact information immediately. I need to see her personally," Jack said in a low, commanding tone.
Li didn't dare delay, typing rapidly on his keyboard. Within minutes, he found detailed information about Emily, including her apartment address, phone number, and even the cafes she frequented.
The next afternoon, Jack stood outside Emily's luxurious apartment building in Manhattan's Upper East Side. The towering structure, adorned with intricate carvings, exuded luxury and prestige. Once, he too had enjoyed such comforts, but now, he could only look up.
He straightened his slightly worn-out clothes, took a deep breath, and pressed the doorbell. He had to succeed—he needed to make Richard pay!
The doorbell echoed through the quiet room. After a moment, the door slowly opened, revealing Emily. She wore a silk robe, her hair casually draped over her shoulders, her face bare of makeup yet still strikingly beautiful. However, her eyes carried a hint of weariness and melancholy, as if concealing a great secret.
Seeing Jack standing outside, Emily first froze in surprise, then looked puzzled. "May I ask who you are?"
Jack offered a polite but slightly menacing smile. "Miss Emily, hello. My name is Jack Harper, former partner of Richard Wilson. I'd like to talk to you about some matters concerning Richard."
Emily's face paled instantly. She instinctively stepped back, trying to close the door. "I don't know you. You've got the wrong person. Please leave!"
Jack quickly blocked the closing door with his hand. "Miss Emily, I believe you know Richard well and are aware of many things he's done. If you cooperate with me, I can help you break free from him and start anew."
A flash of struggle appeared in Emily's eyes. After a brief hesitation, she finally lowered her hand from the door.
"What… what do you want?" she asked, her voice trembling.
Jack entered the apartment and glanced around. The decor was simple yet elegant, filled with feminine touches. Expensive furniture and exquisite artworks displayed the owner's taste and financial status. Yet, all this was built upon Richard's crimes, making Jack feel a wave of disgust.
"Miss Emily, I know you may not be aware of how Richard framed me or his plans to eliminate Old John. But I have gathered enough evidence to prove all his crimes." Jack's gaze was intense, locking onto Emily's eyes, trying to penetrate her thoughts.
Emily's body trembled uncontrollably, her face as pale as paper, as if hearing something terrifying. "What are you talking about? I don't understand! I don't know what you mean!" she struggled to deny, trying to mask her fear.
Jack gave her no chance to evade. He pulled out the USB drive from his pocket and handed it to Emily. "This contains evidence of Richard's crimes, including recordings of how he framed me and his plot against Old John. Just take a look, and you'll see everything I say is true. Then, you can choose to continue serving him or join me in exposing his true nature."
Emily took the USB drive with trembling hands, feeling its weight like lead. She walked to her computer desk, taking a deep breath as if making a significant decision, and inserted the drive into the computer.
The screen lit up, displaying a dense list of files, each one a testament waiting to be revealed. With trembling fingers, Emily clicked on the recording file Jack mentioned.
Richard's cold voice came through the speakers: "…John is old. His thinking is outdated; he will only hold me back… Besides, he knows too much. I must get rid of him to eliminate any future threats…"
Emily's face grew paler, tears instantly filling her eyes. She covered her mouth, trying hard to suppress the urge to cry.
She had always believed Richard to be a man of courage and responsibility. She had silently devoted herself to him for years, even giving up her career and love. She thought she had found true love and a shoulder to lean on. But now, she realized she had been loving a cruel, heartless, and despicable devil!
Jack stood quietly by her side, neither disturbing nor urging her. He knew this was a difficult choice that required time to think and digest.
Minutes passed in silence, the faint glow of the computer screen the only light in the room.
Finally, Emily raised her head, her eyes blurred with tears. Her gaze was no longer confused but filled with anger and determination, like a phoenix reborn from the flames, burning with the fire of revenge.
"I believe you, Mr. Jack. I… I am willing to cooperate with you," her voice hoarse and low but full of resolve and strength.
Jack smiled with relief. "Very good, Miss Emily. I believe you've made the right choice. Next, we need to devise a detailed plan to bring down Richard and make him pay for his crimes."
He did not immediately reveal his entire plan; he needed to test Emily's loyalty, ensuring she wasn't a spy sent by Richard. In the world of Wall Street, where deceit and betrayal were rampant, trust was a rare commodity.
"First, we need to ensure your safety. Once Richard finds out you've betrayed him, he will stop at nothing to harm you. Therefore, you need to temporarily leave here and go to a safe place," Jack analyzed calmly.
Emily nodded, wiping away her tears. "I know. I should have left him long ago. He's a ticking bomb, ready to explode at any moment, and when it does, I'll be blown to pieces."
"I'll arrange someone to take you to a safe location where you can safely assist our operations," Jack promised.
Emily looked at Jack gratefully, her eyes filled with hope. "Thank you, Mr. Jack. You saved me, and you saved Old John."
Jack shook his head. "We're partners, helping each other. What you need to do next is simple—continue playing the role of Richard's lover, gathering intelligence without arousing suspicion, and passing it along to me. You need to know all his movements, including his plans, financial flows, and partners. Only with sufficient information can we craft a perfect plan to crush him."
Emily took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. "I know what to do. I'll do my best to help you bring him down."
That night, through Isabella's connections, Jack arranged a black sedan to secretly transport Emily to a remote estate on Long Island. It was Isabella's private domain, equipped with strict security measures, providing effective protection for Emily.
After Emily left, Jack stood alone in the empty room, gazing at the dazzling lights of New York's night skyline, his eyes brimming with determination. He knew his path of revenge had officially begun, and Emily was his most important card. He would use her to gradually approach Richard, expose his true nature, and make him pay the price!
From now on, he needed to be more cautious and meticulous, like a hunter slowly closing in on his prey, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. He believed that victory would ultimately belong to him!