Chapter 33: The $2.7 Billion Trap [2]
The van kept coming.
Closer... and closer...
Alex stood frozen at the road’s edge, opposite the telephone booth. His chest was heaving, his legs trembling. Every part of his body screamed to run, but he couldn’t move. The fear was paralyzing. His breath came in quick gasps as he stared at the dark vehicle crawling toward him.
He couldn’t see the faces inside, but he didn’t need to. He knew who they were.
They came back for him.
And this time, he wasn’t sure there would be another escape.
Then... screech!
Out of nowhere, an old, faded Mercedes-Benz pulled up beside him. The car looked like it had seen better days. The window rolled down in a rush.
A deep voice called out from inside.
"Get in. Now!"
There was no time to think. No time to ask questions. Alex didn’t even try to look at the face. Somehow, he knew this was his only chance. He dove into the car, and the door slammed shut just as the Mercedes accelerated with a roar.
The tires screeched as they sped off, leaving a trail of dust behind them.
The van, realizing what had just happened, didn’t waste a second. It made a sharp turn and began chasing the Mercedes, but the gap was already wide. The old car was faster than it looked.
Inside the car, Alex slumped against the seat, trying to catch his breath. His heart was pounding so hard he thought it might explode. He could still feel the pain from the beatings, the tightness of the ropes, the bruises, and the dried blood sticking to his skin.
He was still shaking.
After a few moments, curiosity finally pushed him to look at the driver. And when he turned to see the face behind the wheel...
He froze.
His jaw dropped.
His eyes widened.
"... You?!" he said, almost in disbelief.
It was Thomas Finch.
The old beggar from the market. The one who always sat near the bus station with his torn hat and dusty clothes.
Here he was, saving Alex and driving like a pro, focused, fast, calm...
Thomas glanced at him and smirked.
"Don’t look at me like you’ve seen a ghost, boy," he said.
"I... I don’t understand," Alex stammered. "You... You’re the guy from the market! How... How did you...?"
"How did I?" Finch asked simply, keeping his eyes on the road. "You think you’re the only one watching the circle?"
Alex sat in silence, still trying to understand what was happening. His body ached all over. His shirt was torn, his arm stained with blood, and his lips were cracked. His voice was low and weak when he finally spoke again.
"I thought I was done for," he said quietly. "I thought they were going to kill me tonight."
"You were close," Finch replied without emotion. "Too close."
The van was still following behind, trying to keep up. But Finch was taking turns like a man who knew the city better than the map. Every street, every alley, every shortcut, he knew them all. The car kept weaving through side roads until they finally burst into the center of the city.
Here, everything changed.
The road was crowded, with cars honking, buses blocking lanes, and people crossing from all angles. Streetlights were flashing. Police officers were directing traffic. It was chaos.
But in a good way.
A safe way.
There was no way anyone could try anything here without being seen.
The van slowed behind them, boxed in by a row of taxis and motorcycles. Then, finally, it turned off and disappeared into the crowd.
Finch smirked. "Cowards. Can’t touch you here."
Alex let out a deep breath. He hadn’t realized he’d been holding it for so long.
"Where to?" Finch asked, keeping one hand steady on the wheel.
"ADIG Group Headquarters," Alex said with his voice that was still weak.
Finch gave a knowing nod. "As I expected." Then, with a slight smirk, he added, "I thought you were well covered... What did you do to offend them this time?"
Alex let out a tired breath. "It’s a long story," he said. "I’ll explain everything later... But right now, I need to see Raymond."
"..."
It didn’t take long before the car reached the tall, glassy building that stood like a giant among the others, ADIG Group Headquarters.
As the car came to a halt at the entrance, Alex tried to open the door and step out quickly, but his body wouldn’t cooperate. He staggered as he got out, his legs wobbling beneath him. Every step felt like a mountain. He was bruised, bloodied, and utterly drained - physically, mentally, emotionally. But he didn’t care. He just knew he had to get to Raymond.
People at the entrance stared at him as he limped past. Some even gasped. Everyone could tell, something terrible had happened to this man.
But Alex didn’t stop to explain.
He forced himself through the hallway, then into the elevator. The bright lights inside the lift reflected the horror on his face, but he didn’t even glance at his reflection. He had no time.
He hit the button for the top floor, Raymond Carter’s office.
As the elevator doors opened, he stumbled out and dragged himself toward the secretary’s desk, clutching his side. He could barely speak.
The secretary stood up immediately, eyes wide. "Oh my God, Alex, what happened to you?!"
"Mr. Raymond... where is he?" Alex asked, panting heavily.
"He’s not in his office. He’s at the conference room, two floors down," she replied quickly.
Alex didn’t even respond. He turned around, pressed the elevator button again, and rode two floors down. His breath was getting shorter. His steps slower. But his heart was screaming.
I must stop this. I have to tell him. Before it’s too late.
The elevator doors opened, and Alex stumbled into the hallway. His feet barely touched the ground as he moved. Every part of him felt like it was on fire. But he reached the conference room... and pushed the door open.
Inside, Raymond Carter sat alone at the long mahogany table.
He looked just as tired. He had dark circles under his eyes, sleeves rolled up, his tie loose. The documents were lying on the table before him. His face showed no excitement. Only exhaustion and worry.
When Raymond looked up and saw Alex, his entire body froze.
"Alex?!" he gasped, standing up quickly. "What the hell happened to you?!"
Alex was gasping for air. He could barely stand.
But the words burst from his lips like they had been waiting for release.
"Don’t... sign... the papers," he said, struggling for breath. "Don’t... Don’t sell it... it’s a trap. Philip... Rebecca... all of it. It’s a setup."
Raymond’s eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "What? What are you talking about? "The signing was this morning Alex... ADIG Constructions has already been sold."
Alex froze.
His mind couldn’t process it immediately. He just stood there, blinking. It felt like the entire room was spinning. Like the ground was pulled out from under his feet.
His lips moved, but no words came out.
He ran all the way here. Fought for his life. Barely escaped death... and now... it was all for nothing?
The weight of that truth crushed him.
His knees buckled. His vision blurred.
Then everything went black..
Alex collapsed.
Raymond rushed forward just in time to catch him before his body hit the floor.
"I need help here!" he screamed, his voice filled with panic. "Get me a medic! Now!"
The door flew open and staff rushed in.
"..."