Rise to the Surface

Arthur shook his head. "It's my loss to fire a talented man like you. I'm just transferring you to my other place. Think of it as you resigning from Maple and working somewhere more fun."

"Think carefully," Arthur added.

"Are you sure I can help your team? Besides Mona, who else will be on your team?" asked Rayden.

Even though he didn't really like the idea of Arthur investigating the explosion that happened two years ago, Rayden was curious about the people Arthur was targeting for his team.

"Not many. I just need people with the right skills to fill the positions on my team," Arthur replied simply.

Rayden glanced at Arthur with a curious look. "What do you expect from Mona? I don't think her skills are useful for the investigation."

"Mona will be the one at the forefront. Her skills are handy. And you'll be behind the table to make sure what we're doing won't be detected by anyone," Arthur explained.

Rayden let out a long sigh. They had always watched each other since childhood, and now Ramona was the only family he had. Hearing that Ramona would be put at the forefront made his defenses weak. If he wasn't the one protecting Ramona, who would be?

"Alright. I'll join you. But you must remember, I'm not joining because I'm curious about the explosion. I joined because I have to protect Mona. I can't trust her safety to you or anyone else," Rayden said.

Arthur smiled in response to Rayden's words. "That's enough for me."

He then took a white envelope from his coat and handed it to Rayden.

"What's this?" Rayden raised one eyebrow when he received the envelope.

"Give it to personnel staff. You're officially resigned as of today. After that, we'll go to Longbark to see your new workplace." Arthur walked away from Rayden as soon as he finished his sentence.

Itch.

Rayden shook his head as he watched Arthur walk out of his office. He then opened the envelope given to him by his boss. His eyes widened as soon as he read the letter's contents inside the envelope. It turned out that the contents of the envelope he received were a letter of resignation that Arthur had made for Rayden.

He smiled faintly as he put the letter back. "He really planned this. I feel trapped."

Rayden shut down his computer, then quickly left his office. He didn't take anything from his desk because, as he noticed, it was clean. There were none of his personal belongings on the desk.

He did as Arthur asked and hurriedly gave the resignation letter Arthur had drafted to the personnel department. After giving it, he left Maple headquarters. Upon arriving at the lobby of the building, Rayden immediately joined Arthur and his driver to drive to Longbark.

***

While Arthur and Rayden are on their way to Longbark, Dexter is surprised by the suspended sentence letter he receives. After two years in prison for no apparent reason, his detention was suspended.

"This is unbelievable," he muttered as he folded the letter he had finished reading. Dexter then turned his attention to Champion standing next to him. They were on the sports field, standing side by side but separated by a wire fence. Champion delivered the suspension letter to Dexter after he crossed paths with the prison officer who was about to give it to him.

"They still won't admit their guilt for arresting the wrong man," Dexter told Champion with a quiet chuckle.

"That's just how they are," Champion replied. "Anyway, I'm glad you're finally free from this rotten prison. You'll have to treat me when you get out."

"I'm not really free, Champ," laughed Dexter.

"That means you have to investigate who exactly caused the explosion."

Champion's words made Dexter think of his encounter with Arthur Kingsley a few days ago. The reason why the man had come to see him began to bother him. Deep in his heart, he wanted to know what would make his sister commit such a heinous act.

It never crossed Dexter's mind that his sister, who couldn't even bear to kill an ant, would commit a suicide bombing. Suddenly he felt he didn't know his sister at all. His sister had been like his mother. She always cared for him and ensured he lived well after their parents separated and abandoned them.

What did he not know about his sister? What had he been missing all this time? Did he not really know his sister yet?

"Maybe I'll meet that person when I'm outside," Dexter said.

Champion nodded his head. "That's a good choice."

"Thanks, Champ."

"Don't forget about me once you're free."

Dexter chuckled in response to Champion's words. He then showed Champion the book Champion had given him. "I'm still reading the book you gave me. When I'm done, I'll return it."

"You know where to find me," Champion said.

"Of course, I won't see you in this prison." Dexter clucked as he raised one eyebrow. Champion clicked his tongue and laughed softly. The two then laughed together.

***

Knock! Knock! Knock!

"Come in," Kai Anderson exclaimed without taking his eyes off the document he was signing.

It wasn't long before a woman with long black hair, thick eyebrows, and lips covered in bright red lipstick appeared from behind Kai's study door. The woman walked in carrying a gold envelope with a red wax seal.

Kai immediately raised his face when he saw the envelope placed by his secretary. "Who delivered it?"

"A very neat courier," Kai's secretary, Belinda, replied.

"Did the courier leave already?"

Belinda nodded. "He left after delivering it."

Kai nodded his head. He then looked at the crest on the red wax seal. His brow furrowed when he saw the Kingsley family's downward-facing triangular crest on the seal. "Kingsley? Arthur?"

Belinda shrugged her shoulders as Kai looked at her with a questioning gaze. "To be sure, the courier who delivered this letter doesn't look like a typical courier. But his face looks familiar."

Full of astonishment, Kai finally opened the gold-colored envelope while Belinda walked out of her room. Kai's handsome face grew even more astonished as he read Arthur's invitation. A faint smile was drawn on his face when he saw the fundraising invitation with the theme of a masquerade party organized by Arthur.

"Gosh, this guy is always full of surprises," Kai muttered as he folded the invitation. He then pressed his phone and spoke to Belinda. "Clear my schedule for January 20th, and put Maple's fundraising schedule in there. Arthur Kingsley is rising to the surface. I can't miss it."

***