Volume 3: The Rise to Power
Summary: Richard detects Jack's moves and launches a fierce counteroffensive, determined to stop him at all costs.
The fire of public outrage still raged on Wall Street, and as Jack watched the news reports, he knew he had gained the upper hand—for now. But Richard was not the kind of man to sit back and wait for defeat. Like a wounded beast, he would strike back with everything he had. Jack understood that the real battle had only just begun.
Sure enough, within hours, Jack's phone began ringing nonstop. Kevin's voice came through, tense and urgent.
"Jack, Richard is fighting back! He's pulling out all the stops to turn things around."
"Tell me what's happening," Jack said calmly.
"First, he's using his connections to spread damaging stories about you in the media. They're painting you as a manipulative schemer—claiming you've been spreading lies and attacking his company just to profit from it."
Jack let out a cold chuckle. "I expected this kind of move. Let them try. I have nothing to hide."
"There's more," Kevin continued. "Richard has filed a lawsuit against you for defamation, demanding massive compensation."
Jack smirked. "So he's resorting to legal threats now? Typical last-ditch effort. Let him sue—I'll see him in court."
"But the most dangerous part," Kevin added gravely, "is that Richard seems to have secured new allies. Some powerful figures on Wall Street are openly supporting him and condemning your actions. These people have influence everywhere. If they unite against us, we're in serious trouble."
Jack's expression darkened. He knew the true danger wasn't Richard himself, but the tangled web of connections behind him. Wall Street was a battlefield of interests, where those who threatened the status quo were crushed without mercy.
"I understand," Jack said, taking a deep breath to steady himself. "Kevin, keep monitoring Richard's movements, especially any communication between him and those big shots. I need to know exactly what he's planning."
After ending the call, Jack turned to Emily. Her face was equally grim—she'd heard every word.
"What do we do now?" she asked anxiously. "Richard has too many connections. Shouldn't we lie low for a while?"
"Lie low?" Jack shook his head, his eyes burning with determination. "We've come too far to retreat now. If we pull back, everything we've done will be for nothing."
He walked to the window, gazing at the glowing skyline of Manhattan. His voice was low but firm.
"Richard thinks he can crush me with media pressure and lawsuits? That he can intimidate me into submission? What an idiot. I've never backed down from a fight—and I won't start now."
Suddenly, his phone rang again. This time, it was Isabella.
"Jack… something's wrong. Richard knows about me." Her voice trembled. "He's had someone following me, threatening me. He even warned me not to get involved anymore. I'm scared…"
Jack's heart tightened. A surge of anger boiled inside him. "Isabella, where are you? Tell me—I'm coming right now."
"I'm at home, I—" Before she could finish, there was a loud crash, followed by silence.
"Isabella! Isabella!" Jack shouted into the phone, but no reply came—only a suffocating void.
His face turned pale. He knew something had happened. That bastard Richard—how dare he go after Isabella!
He hung up immediately and turned to Emily. "Emily, Isabella's in trouble. I have to go save her."
"Jack, calm down!" Emily grabbed his arm. "This is a trap. If you rush in blindly, you'll walk straight into his hands."
"I know it's a trap," Jack said firmly, shaking off her grip. "But I can't just stand by while Isabella suffers."
Without another word, he stormed out the door and vanished into the night.
Emily stood motionless, watching him disappear into the darkness. She knew once Jack made a decision, no one could change his mind.
Meanwhile, in Isabella's apartment, several muscular men surrounded her. One of them was clearly Richard's henchman, a cruel smile twisting his lips.
"Miss Isabella, our boss would like to invite you for a visit," he said coldly.
"You wish," Isabella shot back defiantly. "Richard's crimes will soon be exposed. You won't escape justice!"
"Justice?" The man laughed mockingly. "In this world, money is the law. As long as our boss wants it, anything can be buried."
He gestured, signaling his men to take her.
Just then, a deafening bang echoed through the room—the front door was kicked open violently. Jack appeared in the doorway, his gaze sharp as steel, locked onto the leader.
"Let her go," Jack commanded, his voice icy and filled with menace.
"Jack? You actually walked right into our trap?" The man blinked in surprise, then grinned wider. "Looks like our plan worked. Neither of you is leaving here tonight."
With a signal, his men lunged toward Jack.
Jack didn't flinch. He sidestepped the first attacker, then drove a devastating punch into his gut, sending him crashing to the floor. Like a tiger unleashed, he tore through the group—his fists and feet striking with deadly precision. Every blow sent another opponent sprawling.
Despite their numbers, the thugs were no match for Jack. Years in the underground world had forged him into a fighter—this was child's play compared to what he'd faced before.
Within minutes, the attackers lay groaning on the floor, defeated.
The leader paled when he saw the carnage. He had seriously underestimated Jack.
"What… what are you going to do?" he stammered.
Jack stepped forward, grabbing him by the collar and lifting him off the ground. "Where is Richard?"
"I… I don't know!" the man cried.
Jack's lips curled into a cold smile. He punched the man hard in the stomach, making him double over in agony.
"I'll talk! I'll talk!" the man gasped. "Richard is hiding in a villa outside the city!"
Jack dropped him and hurried to Isabella's side, helping her up gently. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine," she said, looking at him with gratitude. "Thank you, Jack."
"Let's go," Jack said, guiding her out of the apartment.
He knew Richard's villa would be crawling with traps and enemies—but none of that mattered now. He had to go, no matter the risk.
Richard's retaliation had come swiftly and viciously. But instead of intimidating Jack, it only fueled his resolve. He knew that only by completely dismantling Richard's power could he protect himself—and those he cared about.
A far more intense battle was about to begin.