Chapter 187: Dead or alive. 

A bitter smile twisted Samuel’s face as he gazed out over the sprawling cityscape. “You can’t hide from me forever, boy,” he muttered, his words laced with a cold, simmering menace.” One way or another, I’ll tear down your walls and reclaim what is rightfully mine.” 

*** 

Deep within the heart of Star City, the compound that served as the headquarters for Richard Madison’s private security force, the Dark Hand, hummed with activity. In the command center, a bank of monitors flickered with real–time surveillance feeds, their glowing displays casting an eerie pall over the room. 

Richard paced before the main screen, his brow furrowed in deep concentration as he studied the latest intelligence reports. The failed incursion by his grandfather’s mercenaries had been a costly miscalculation, but one that had ultimately played into his hands. 

“Sir, we’ve received word from our operatives at the city limits,” a gruff–voiced lieutenant announced, stepping forward with a datapad in hand. “The hostiles have been secured and are en route to the holding facility for processing.” 

Richard nodded, his jaw set in a grim line. “Good See that they’re kept isolated from one another. I want to interrogate them myself and find out exactly who they’re working for.” 

The lieutenant dipped his head in acknowledgment before turning on his heel and striding from the room, barking orders into a handheld radio. 

Alone once more, Richard turned his attention back to the monitors, his gaze drawn to the live feed from one of the city’s main thoroughfares. The streets were eerily deserted, a stark contrast to the usual hustle and bustle that characterized Star City’s pulsing heart. 

A heavy frown creased Richard’s face as he studied the vacant streets, his mind racing. He 

knew his grandfather would not back down so easily, not after the humiliating defeat of his initial strike force. Samuel Madison was a man accustomed to getting his way, no matter the cost–a truth Richard had learned all too well over the ver 

years. 

As if on cue, a soft chime emanated from the console before him, signaling an incoming transmission. With a few deft keystrokes, Richard accepted the call, and the flickering visage of one of his remote operators materialized on the screen. 

“Mr. Madison, we have a situation developing at the eastern perimeter,” the operative reported, his voice filled with urgency. “Multiple hostile forces are attempting to breach the city limits, and they’re not alone.” 

Richard felt his heart rate spike, adrenaline surging through his veins. “Explain.” 

‘From what we can gather, they’d really enlisted the aid of local law enforcement and coastal guard units just as you had said,” the operative continued. “They’re disguising themselves as authority figures in an attempt to slip past our defenses. How did you know that they would resort to this?” 

Richard paused hearing this question. His grandfather was a cunning man, but he knew him a bit too well. And it did not help that he had watched his grandfather admit to using the police on video. His grandfather was pulling out all the stops, calling in favors, and leveraging his vast network of connections to circumvent the security measures Richard had put in place. 

“Alert all units and initiate lockdown protocols, he said softly, but his voice rang with steely. determination. “No one gets in or out of this city without my express permission. And have a containment team standing by–I have a feeling we’re going to need them.” 

As the operative’s image winked out, Richard turned his attention to the live feed once more, his gaze hardening as he watched the first waves of hostile forces converge on the city limits. The battle lines had been drawn, and there would be no turning back–not until one side 

emerged victorious, no matter the cost. 

With a grim sense of resolve, Richard squared his shoulders and strode from the command center, his footfalls echoing like a death knell through the cavernous halls. It was time to take 

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the fight to his grandfather, to put an end to Samuel Madison’s machinations once and for all. 

The city streets ran red as the two forces clashed the echoes of gunfire and the screams of the wounded shattering the eerie calm that had blanketed Star City. Richard’s Dark Hand operatives fought with a cold, ruthless efficiency, their training and discipline proving more than a match for the rag–tag assemblage of hired guns and co–opted law enforcement. 

As the smoke cleared and the last of the hostile forces lay subdued, Richard surveyed the carnage with a grim sense of satisfaction. 

His grandfather’s latest ploy had been thwarted, but he knew this was merely the opening dance in–a much larger conflict. It seemed the old man was not stubborn for nothing. Eve, after failing to capture Emma, still thought to do it again. His insistence was honestly amusing to Richard. 

With a curt nod to his lieutenants, he turned on his heel and made his way back toward the command center, his mind already churning with contingencies and countermeasures. The battle for Star City had been won, but the war for the soul of the Madison family empire still raged on. 

Everything was in place. Richard was ready to make his grandfather so famous, he will not be able to explain himself. He could not help but feel pleased by this. 

It was just as he had expected. Agents arrived at night. They worked for the government. Richard had contacts with the army and had them rounded up. 

It was a very noisy night. By the time he was done, the general asked him what he should do. To this Richard smiled and told him to let the public know. 

Richard was ready to release the video of his grandfather and those government officials. He was taking them all down with him. 

The moment the video and the news of the arrest hit the news, Richard had gone to sleep, and 

the internet had exploded because of this revelation. 

Meanwhile, life continued. 

The sleek, high–end sedan glided to a halt before the wrought–iron gates of the prestigious private academy, its tinted windows concealing the identity of its occupant. 

Soon, a man stepped out of the car and made forward. 

As Charles Smith approached the main entrance of the kindergarten. He was not sure why he had come. But he wanted to see his son. 

Yet, as he neared the imposing double doors that guarded the academy’s inner sanctum, a flicker of movement caught his eye–a familiar figure, one that sent a jolt of recognition coursing through his veins. 

Henry. 

Without a second thought, Charles quickened his pace. 

But as he approached the gates, a sudden commotion erupted, and Charles found himself confronted by a group of stern–faced teachers and administrators. 

Their expressions were a study in disapproval, their body language radiating a clear message: outsiders were not welcome here. 

“I’m sorry, sir, but you’ll have to turn around and leave,” one of the teachers said, her voice clipped and authoritative. “We cannot allow unauthorized individuals on the premises, for the safety of our students.” 

Charles felt a surge of indignation rise within him, his jaw clenching as he struggled to maintain his composure. “That boy over there is my son,” he growled, his finger jabbing in Henry’s direction. “I have every right to be here. 

The teacher’s expression remained impassive, her gaze unwavering. “Be that as it may, sir, you are not listed as an approved parent or guardian. Without proper authorization, I cannot allow you to proceed any further.” 

As the standoff escalated, Charles’s attention was drawn to a sudden movement from the corner of his eye. There, just beyond the gates, Henry had turned to face him, his eyes wide and fearful. 

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Chapter 108 The ree of a fane: