Rise Of Michael Jordan

Chapter 11

“Mia,” I said, my voice low and sharp, forcing her to look at me. Her eyes were wide, her chest rising and falling too fast. “Listen carefully to what I’m about to say right now.”

She nodded, trembling.

“I think we’re being attacked by a sniper,” I continued, pointing quickly at the row of nearby houses. “See that building—twelve o’clock? That’s where he’s set up. The distance between us and the door is a death sentence if we run blindly. But if we time it right…” I let the words hang heavy.

She swallowed hard.

“We’ll have only a few seconds. If we don’t make it before the time runs out—” I paused, “—we might really lose our heads.”

Her hand clutched mine tighter.

“I’ll make the distraction first,” I whispered. “When I count, you don’t think—you run. Do you understand?”

Her lips parted. “Yes.”

I took a breath, my pulse syncing with the sound of silence. Then I whispered the count.

“Three… two… one—”

I shoved a loose piece of metal into the open, letting it clatter across the ground. The sniper fired instantly, the bullet sparking against the steel. That was the moment.

“Run!” I barked.

We sprinted. The night exploded around us, bullets tearing through air, hammering the walls we passed. One came so close I felt the wind of death brush against my ear. Mia stumbled but didn’t fall, her breath ragged as I pushed her forward.

We slammed into the doorway of the house, diving in just as another bullet shredded the wall where she had been a second ago. Debris and dust rained over us.

Mia collapsed against the floor, coughing hard, her chest heaving like she was about to choke on her own fear. Her wide eyes darted toward me. “Who… who were they?” she rasped. “It’s not possible… it can’t be Mr. Callas. And it can’t be the former mayor’s brother, or Kane, the club owner. So… who are they after? Me? Or… you?”

I put a finger to my lips. “Don’t speak. Not yet. Let me think.”

I pulled out my phone and dialed quickly.

Seraphina picked up the first ring. “Kael, have you found Miss Mia?”

“There’s a problem,” I said flatly. “She’s with me. But we’re being attacked by an unknown sniper squad right now. Location—” I gave her the address and pointed out the probable vantage point.

Her tone sharpened instantly. “Don’t worry. I’ll get it under control.”

The call was cut.

Mia stared at me, her voice shaky. “Who was that?”

I looked at her with respect, lowering my tone. “I was assigned me to keep Amanda Jone.”

She froze, her lips trembling. “H-How do you know that name?”

Her eyes narrowed, suspicion clashing with fear. “Was it… Miss Voss?”

I nodded slightly.

Her shoulders sagged, and she sank against the wall, her voice hollow. “I wasn’t allowed to bear that name outside. Amanda Jone… it doesn’t belong to me.”

“Why not?” I asked, frowning. “You’re a legitimate daughter. Why wouldn’t you?”

Her laughter was bitter, broken. “Legitimate? No. I was born out of wedlock, Kael. Every day in that villa was a horror. People like me… we’re never seen as equals. We’re shame, living, breathing shame. That’s why I hide. That’s why I live as Mia Clinton. Better a ghost than a stain on their pride.”

Her words cut deep.

I leaned forward, my voice steady, firm. “Listen to me. You don’t live for them. You don’t live to prove yourself to the world. If you let judgment bind you, you’ll never breathe. Wealth, power, bloodlines—none of that defines you. What matters is what you choose to be. Live for yourself, Amanda. Not for their scorn.”

Her eyes glistened as if she was about to reply—when gunfire echoed again outside.

Engines roared. A car screeched away.

I bolted out the door, Mia right behind me. The street was already empty, the car vanishing into the night. I cursed under my breath and sprinted toward the sniper’s perch.

The rooftop was deserted. No gunman. But the faint smear of blood stained the ground.

I crouched, inspecting it. “He was wounded.”

Mia finally caught up, her eyes wide as she looked at the blood, disbelief etched across her face. “Oh my God…”

I spotted the weapon left behind. My jaw tightened as I picked it up, recognizing the design instantly. *Government issue.*

This wasn’t just a random hit.

I was about to leave when Mia grabbed my sleeve. “Where are you going?”

Before I could answer, headlights cut through the street. A black car pulled up fast.

I stepped forward instinctively as the doors opened. Seraphina Voss stepped out, flanked by two guards.

“What’s going on?” she demanded.

I met her eyes coldly. “I think I know who is behind all this”

Seraphina’s eyes narrowed at me. “Kael… are you saying you truly know who’s behind this?”

I exhaled slowly, meeting her gaze. “I don’t know for certain. But I think Black Spire might have something to do with this.”

Her brows furrowed. “Black Spire? Are you talking about Dr. Carroway?”

“Yes.” My voice hardened. “Seraphina, you should push the government to carry out their assignment and investigate him. Don’t be deceived— He’s sharper than that, and if these weapons really came from inside…” I let the silence finish my thought.

Seraphina gave a sharp nod. “We’ll do that.”

Then her gaze softened as she turned toward Mia, who stood quietly behind me. For a long moment, Seraphina just stared at her before finally speaking. “Kael… thank you. Truly. I’m grateful for keeping Mia safe.” Her lips pressed tight as though she was forcing herself not to show too much emotion.

Then she looked straight at Mia. “You should stay with Kael for now. His side is the safest. No one will dare move against you while he’s beside you.”

Mia’s jaw tightened, her voice sharp. “Was it my father who gave the order?”

Seraphina’s expression flickered. “The president is doing everything possible to keep you safe, Mia. He—”

“I don’t need anyone to keep me safe!” Mia’s voice cracked, filled with stubbornness. “I’ll protect myself.”

Seraphina tilted her head, her voice calm but cutting. “Really? After what just happened minutes ago? Do you truly believe you can protect yourself against Kane? Against unknown snipers?”

Mia froze. The anger drained from her face, leaving only silence. She looked cornered by the truth.

Seraphina stepped closer, gently resting a hand on her shoulder. “Stay with Mr. Kael. Just for a while. Please.”

I finally spoke, my voice low but certain. “Nothing will happen to you. I promise.”

Seraphina gave me a final look, then added, “As for Kane, we’ll settle the debt. He’ll have no reason to touch you again.”

With that, Mia turned and walked away quickly.

I bowed slightly to Seraphina. “Miss Voss.” Then I hurried after Mia.

I caught up to her in the dim street, grabbing her hand gently but firmly. “Stop.”

She spun, her face angry, her lips trembling.

“Why are you like this?” I asked softly but firmly. “Didn’t you see how your father is trying to protect you? He’s not abandoning you—he’s fighting for you.”

“Protecting me?” She let out a bitter laugh as her eyes burned into mine. “Do you even know what I went through in that house? Always hidden. Always treated like a shadow. Never meant to be seen. Locked away from the world because I was born wrong!”

Her voice cracked at the end, and I saw her shoulders shake.

I stepped closer, lowering my tone. “Amanda… listen. None of that is your fault. You’re not wrong for existing. You’re not wrong for living. They can hide you, they can call you shame, but you—” I touched her arm gently “—you are not their mistake. You’re more than what they see.”

Her eyes filled with tears. She tried to hold them back, but her chest heaved as the walls she’d built crumbled.

And then she broke.

The tears spilled down her cheeks as her anger gave way to pain. I didn’t think—I just pulled her close, wrapping my arms around her as her body shook against me.

“It’s okay,” I whispered, holding her tighter. “Cry. I’ve got you.”

And for the first time, Mia didn’t resist.

By the time we reached the dorm, the streets were quiet, shadows long under the dim lamps. I stopped at Mia’s door.

“Goodnight,” I said softly, meeting her eyes.

She lingered for a moment, then gave a faint smile. “Goodnight, Kael. And… thank you. For saving me.”

I dipped my head slightly, my voice low but firm. “Sleep peacefully tonight. If there’s any problem—anything at all—call for me. I’ll be here.”

Her lips curved just a little more, almost shy, before she nodded and slipped inside.

I turned, walked into my own room, and shut the door behind me. My chest felt heavy. I pulled out my phone, the screen glowing in the dark. My thumb brushed across the picture of my wife and Liam. Their smiles frozen in the still frame, but my mind replayed yesterday’s conversation with my son.

“If I draw it… they die.”

Those words gnawed at me like broken glass. Was my son truly…? No. I couldn’t wait until morning. I had to know.

---

The Next Morning

I stood outside Aria’s house.

The door opened, and Aria stepped out, surprise flickering across her face.

“Kael? You’re here early.”

“I need to see my son,” I said simply.

Before she could reply, the door creaked again and Liam came bounding out, a toy still in his hand. He paused, then his face lit up. “Dad!”

I crouched slightly, forcing a smile. “Morning, son.”

He rushed to me, wrapping his arms around my waist. I patted his head, though my heart tightened.

Aria’s eyes searched mine. “Should I come with you?”

I shook my head. “No. Stay home. I’ll handle this.”

Her brows furrowed, sensing something uneasy in me, but she nodded slowly.

I took Liam’s small hand in mine. “Let’s go.”

Together, we walked. My steps were heavy, my grip firm but gentle around his fingers. Soon, we entered the hospital.

I approached the reception desk. “I need to see Dr. Havelock. Is he in today?”

The nurse checked a chart, then nodded. “Room 304, second floor.”

“Thank you.”

I led Liam down the hall, stopping at the room number. My hand lingered on the knob before I pushed it open.

Inside, the doctor looked up from his desk—and immediately recognized me. “Kael?” His eyes widened. “It’s really been a long time.”

I gave a faint smile. “It has.”

“I heard you were released from the hospital.”

“Yes.” My tone was clipped. I didn’t want to talk about me. “How’s work?”

“Busy as always.” He studied me, then glanced at Liam. “And this… is your son?”

I nodded.

“May I ask why you’re here?”

I inhaled deeply. “Because I need your help.”

His brows drew together. “What is it?”

My voice lowered, almost a whisper. “Do you remember the Clean Seed Project?”

The doctor stiffened immediately. “… Kael. Don’t tell me—”

“I’m afraid my son might be a victim too,” I said, my throat tight.

The doctor leaned back, his face pale. “No…”

“Yes. I haven’t confirmed it yet. That’s why I’m here.”

He rubbed his temples, then nodded slowly. “I understand. I’ll go and run the tests right away.”

He knelt down in front of Liam. “Hey, champ. Want to help me with a little game?”

Liam tilted his head, curious. “What game?”

“Just follow me, and I’ll show you.”

To my relief, Liam agreed easily, his small fingers slipping from mine as he followed the doctor into the testing room.

I stood outside the glass window, watching. The doctor spoke gently, guiding Liam through small tasks, pricking his arm, running scans. Liam behaved perfectly, answering questions. But the unease in my chest never faded.

Hours passed. I sat in the waiting chair, the clock ticking like a hammer in my head.

Finally—after nearly three hours—the doctor emerged, holding a file, his expression grave.

I rose instantly. “Well?”

He met my eyes. “Kael… we ran every test. The results are clear.”

A beat of silence. My heart felt like it stopped.

“Your son, Liam, is actually…”