I Became Rich With My System

Chapter 17

The rope burned against my skin as I was trying again and again to force them free. My shoulders ached, the chair scraped against the floor. The timer kept ticking.

I pulled harder, ignoring the sharp sting cutting into my skin. My veins bulged, sweat slid down my temple, and with one desperate wrench—CRAAACK!—the wood of the chair leg gave way. The sudden force sent me crashing sideways onto the floor with a painful thud. For a moment, my lungs emptied, but I didn’t stop. I twisted my wrists again, teeth gritted.

Snap!

The rope finally gave in. The sound of freedom was the sweetest thing I’d ever heard. I scrambled to my knees, eyes flicking up to the timer. Just seconds. The tank above groaned under pressure, drops of water already forming on its underbelly. If I didn’t get us out now, we were finished.

“Mia!” I rushed to her, shaking her gently at first. “Mia, wake up!” Her head lolled, her breath shallow. The drug Valerino gave her was stronger than I thought.

“No, no, no… not now,” I muttered, panic clawing up my throat. I tapped her cheeks, called her name louder. Still nothing.

With no choice left, I hooked my arms beneath her and hauled her onto my back. Her weight pressed heavy against me, but I gritted my teeth and stood. Every step was a fight, but I pushed forward, toward the door.

The metallic stench of the room clung to me as I stumbled, Mia’s arms dangling over my shoulders. My pulse thundered in my ears as I reached the door, slammed my shoulder against it, and twisted the handle—

Clunk.

It didn’t budge.

“No… no, no, no!” I rattled it harder, slamming my palm against the wood. The timer above clicked down another second. My heart sank.

We were trapped.

My fists pounded against the door so hard. The wood splintered under my knuckles. BANG! BANG! BANG!

“Valerino!” I roared, my voice breaking with fury. “Open this damn door! You hear me? Open it now before I rip you apart!”

I slammed my shoulder against it, the echo reverberating through the room, mixing with the relentless tick of the timer above. My chest heaved, every nerve in my body screaming with rage and fear.

“I swear—if you don’t open this door, I’ll kill every last one of you!” I bellowed, spit flying with the promise. “Do you hear me? I’ll kill you!”

My throat burned, but I didn’t care. I hit the door again, my knuckles raw.

Then… a faint sound behind me.

“...Kael…”

I froze. My heart clenched as I turned. Mia’s eyes fluttered open, heavy and hazy, her lips barely moving as she whispered my name.

I hurried closer, crouching with her still slung against me. “Yes, Mia—I’m here. I’m listening.” My voice cracked softer now, desperate to keep her awake.

Her gaze searched mine, fragile and full of fear. “Kael… are we… are we going to die?”

“I promise you, Mia,” I said quickly, my voice was firm.

“we’re not going to die here. I’ll make damn sure of it.”

The words had barely left my mouth when the pipe above groaned. The metal splitting with a CRRRK! before bursting. Water gushed down in a violent torrent, spraying across the walls. Sparks hissed as the current from the wires licked the flood. My heart jumped a seconds, that’s all we had.

Then—CREAK!—the door swung wide.

And there she was. Seraphina. Standing tall in the doorway, her face fierce but her eyes alive with urgency.

“Quickly!” she shouted, stepping in with a hand outstretched. “Give me your hands!”

I grabbed Mia tighter and reached with my free hand. Seraphina’s grip was like iron as she yanked me forward, then reached for Mia and pulled us both through just as the pipe above SNAPPED completely. The room behind us flooded instantly, sparks dancing across the water until the whole floor lit up in a blinding storm of electricity.

We stumbled out into the hallway, coughing. Mia bent forward violently, her body wracked with choking gasps as water dripped down her face.

“Are you both okay?” Seraphina demanded, steadying her by the shoulder.

Before I could answer, Mia’s weak voice broke through between coughs. “Kael—listen—you have to go. Raven’s leaving… he has the container already. If he gets away now, we don’t know when we’ll catch him again.”

Her urgency cut me deeper than the bruises on my body. I looked down at her, torn. “What about you, Mia?”

“I’ll take care of her,” Seraphina cut in sharply, her tone firm as steel.

I hesitated, my jaw clenching. My gut screamed not to leave her behind. “Seraphina,” I said, voice low and fierce, “make sure you save her. No matter what.”

Her eyes met mine, unwavering. She gave a sharp nod. “That won’t be a problem.”

Mia gripped my arm weakly, whispering, “Go, Kael. Please.”

I forced myself to release her, my fists tightening. Then I ran.

The hall blurred as I tore through it, bursting out toward the main gate where Raven’s convoy was already moving. Guards stepped into my path, guns rising. Too slow. My fist cracked into the first man’s jaw, dropping him instantly. A swift kick crushed another against the wall, his weapon clattering to the floor. Two more lunged—I snapped an elbow into one’s temple and spun the other over my shoulder. They fell like ragdolls.

No time wasted. I surged forward, breaking through into the open street.

Just ahead, Raven’s car roared toward the gates.

A man had just parked his car and was stepping out, keys dangling casually in his hand. He froze when I stormed toward him.

“Your car,” I barked, panting. “I need it. Lend it to me—just for now.”

The man scoffed, throwing his arms wide. “What the f**k are you talking about, huh? Who the hell—”

I shoved him hard, sending him stumbling aside. “I’ll bring it back,” I growled, sliding behind the wheel. “Count on it.”

“Asshole!” he shouted after me as I revved the engine. “Scratch it and I’ll sue your ghost!”

I didn’t hear the rest. My focus was locked on Raven’s tail lights.

The engine screamed as I shot forward. Raven’s men leaned out of the windows ahead, rifles spitting fire. TAT-TAT-TAT! Bullets tore at the asphalt around me, sparks snapping off the hood. I swerved, jerking the wheel to avoid the stream, tires screeching against the pavement. My heart pounded like a war drum, the rush of adrenaline sharpening every sense.

Then—silence. The bursts stopped.

They were out.

I gritted my teeth, slammed my foot down, and rammed the rear of their car. CRASH! Metal screamed as one vehicle spun sideways off the road, flipping into a ditch. Another swerved into a pole. Now only Raven’s car remained.

The chase was merciless. The road twisted dangerously, every bend threatening to send us into oblivion. My hands locked on the wheel, muscles tense, eyes burning.

Raven swerved suddenly, taking a side road under construction. I didn’t hesitate—I followed.

Up ahead, orange barricades lined the road. Heavy concrete blocks and steel rods lay scattered where workers had left them.

Raven tried to dodge, but he wasn’t fast enough. His tires screeched as his car smashed full force into a stack of concrete barriers. BAM! The vehicle flipped, metal and glass exploding as it tumbled twice before slamming down on its roof with a thunderous crash.

I skidded to a halt, jumped out, and sprinted toward the wreck.

Raven was half-conscious but still grinning through bloodied lips when I dragged him out, pinning him hard against a broken wall. My forearm crushed his chest, rage burning in my veins.

“Where are the girls?!” I shouted into his face, spit flying. “Where the hell are they?”

He looked up at me through the blood dripping from his mouth… and smiled.

I slammed Raven harder against the wall, rage pouring through every muscle in my body. My voice broke raw as I roared at him.

“Tell me where exactly they kept the girls!” My fist pressed harder into his chest. “Where the hell are they, Raven?!”

But Raven only coughed and chuckled. His teeth glistened red as he lifted his head. His eyes were glimmering with that devil’s arrogance and that made my blood boil.

“Do you think this is the end, Kael?” His voice was cracked but steady.

“No… this is not the end.”

I froze, staring into his dark grin. “What the hell are you talking about?” I barked, tightening my grip. “What’s not the end?!”

Raven’s smile widened. “Clean Seed Operation. You think it’s over? You think what you saw back there is all there is? You have no idea…”

“What the f**k are you talking about?!”

“What do you mean, Raven?!”

He leaned forward. “The girls… you fool. Did you never wonder what they’re really for? What we are using them for?”

My heart slammed against my ribs. “Tell me, you bastard!” I shouted, my voice echoing off the empty construction zone. “Say it! What the hell do you mean?!”

Raven coughed again, smearing blood against his cheek as he tried to laugh. “The Presi—”

CRACK!

The sound split the night like thunder.

Blood sprayed hot against my cheek, warm and sticky. My eyes widened in shock as Raven’s head jerked violently to the side. His body went limp instantly, sliding down the wall before crumpling to the dirt with a heavy thud.

For a breathless moment, the world went silent. Just my ragged breathing, the distant hum of street lamps, and the dripping of blood onto the rubble.

I staggered back. I dove behind the wrecked car. My heart hammering like a war drum. My hands tightened into fists.

Raven lay still, his lifeless eyes staring upward, the grin still etched faintly on his ruined face.

Someone had silenced him.

Someone was watching.

I gritted my teeth, wiping the blood from my face as I crouched low, scanning the shadows.

Who the hell just took the shot?