CHAPTER 8: A DEBT UNPAID
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The rain had returned by nightfall.
Thunder rumbled over Noctis as a black SUV sped through the empty streets.
Inside, Kelvin sat in silence.
His fingers tapped lightly against the leather armrest.
Anyone who knew him understood what that meant.
He was angry.
Very angry.
Damien sat opposite him, tablet in hand.
"Our men found the motorcycle."
Kelvin looked up.
"And the rider?"
"He abandoned it near the docks."
"No fingerprints."
"No security footage."
"It was planned."
Kelvin's jaw tightened.
"What about witnesses?"
"One."
Damien swiped to another file.
"An elderly shopkeeper said the rider circled the block twice before Miss Giovanni left the café."
Kelvin's eyes darkened.
"So he wasn't speeding..."
"He was waiting."
Damien nodded.
"Yes, Boss."
Silence settled inside the vehicle.
Finally, Kelvin spoke.
"Double her security."
"But keep them invisible."
"I don't want her frightened."
Meanwhile...
Mackenzie lay awake in bed.
She couldn't stop replaying the afternoon in her mind.
The roar of the motorcycle.
The stranger pulling her to safety.
The feeling that, for a split second, she had been staring death in the face.
She sighed and reached for her phone.
Without thinking, she searched:
Kelvin Alexander Lawson.
Dozens of articles appeared.
Business Icon Attends International Summit
Lawson Holdings Expands Across Europe
Youngest Billionaire in Valestia
She scrolled further.
Then stopped.
A discussion forum.
"Why is everyone afraid of Kelvin Lawson?"
She frowned.
The replies were filled with rumors.
Some called him ruthless.
Others claimed he controlled half the country from the shadows.
There was no proof.
Just whispers.
Mackenzie closed her phone.
"No..."
She whispered to herself.
"People love exaggerating."
At the same time...
Deep beneath Lawson Tower...
A steel door slid open.
Mackenzie had no idea such a place existed.
It was Kelvin's underground operations center.
Walls of monitors displayed security feeds from businesses, warehouses, and properties across Valestia.
Damien approached.
"The rider has been identified."
Kelvin turned.
A photograph appeared on the screen.
"Name?"
"Victor Soren."
"Small-time mercenary."
"No direct link to Ricardo."
Kelvin folded his arms.
"Which means someone hired him."
Damien nodded.
"Our men tracked him to an abandoned shipyard."
Kelvin didn't hesitate.
"Let's pay him a visit."
An hour later...
The abandoned shipyard was silent except for the crashing waves.
Victor Soren hurried between rusting cargo containers, clutching a duffel bag.
He froze.
Black SUVs surrounded the area.
Doors opened.
Men in black suits stepped out.
Then...
Kelvin emerged.
Victor's face turned pale.
"N-No..."
Kelvin walked toward him at an unhurried pace.
"You tried to kill someone today."
Victor shook his head frantically.
"It wasn't supposed to happen!"
"You were only meant to scare her!"
Kelvin stopped a few feet away.
"Who hired you?"
"I don't know!"
"They contacted me through an intermediary!"
Kelvin studied him carefully.
He wasn't lying.
Damien leaned closer.
"Boss?"
Kelvin's voice remained calm.
"Take him."
"We'll find the intermediary."
Victor collapsed to his knees.
"Please... I told you everything!"
Kelvin looked down at him.
"You told me the truth."
Victor's eyes filled with hope.
"Then... you'll let me go?"
Kelvin's expression never changed.
"I never said that."
Damien signaled two guards.
They escorted Victor away.
The following morning...
Mackenzie arrived at Giovanni Events to find another bouquet waiting on her desk.
This time, it wasn't lilies.
It was white orchids.
Elegant.
Sophisticated.
A small card rested among the flowers.
I hope yesterday's incident didn't frighten you.
She stared at the words.
Her heart skipped a beat.
Only a handful of people knew what had happened.
Whoever sent the flowers...
Knew about the motorcycle.
She immediately looked around the office.
"Who delivered these?"
Her receptionist shook her head.
"They were already here when I arrived."
Mackenzie picked up the card again.
There was still no signature.
But somehow...
She already knew.
"Kelvin..."
she whispered.
Across the city...
Kelvin stood in his office, watching the morning skyline.
His phone vibrated.
A message from Damien.
The flowers have been delivered.
Kelvin slipped the phone back into his pocket.
For the first time in years...
He found himself hoping someone would smile because of something he'd done.
But outside his office...
Another phone rang.
Damien answered.
His face drained of color.
"Boss..."
Kelvin turned.
"What is it?"
Damien swallowed.
"We've found the intermediary."
"And?"
"He works for Ricardo DeLuca."
The room fell silent.
Kelvin's gaze hardened.
"So..."
he said quietly.
"The war has finally begun."
- Writer
