Chapter 3

Alex POV

As I opened the door, a sea of uniformed maids and their head, impeccably dressed and poised, assembled before me, their faces beaming with warm smiles.

"Welcome, young boss!" they chimed in unison, their greeting echoing through the foyer. I nodded graciously, returning their greeting, before making my way upstairs, my footsteps quiet on the plush carpet.

The foyer's high ceiling, adorned with intricate moldings, seemed to stretch up to the sky, while the gleaming marble floor reflected the soft glow of crystal chandeliers. The air was thick with the scent of fresh flowers, and the soft hum of classical music floated through the air.

I headed straight to my study room, a sanctuary of productivity, where a multitude of tasks awaited my attention. The room was a masterclass in elegance, with walls lined with towering bookshelves, their leather-bound tomes exuding wisdom and knowledge.

The room's centerpiece was a majestic wooden desk, its surface polished to a high sheen, surrounded by a comfortable, ergonomic chair and a pair of sleek, silver lamps. The walls were adorned with an eclectic mix of modern art and classic masterpieces, adding a touch of personality to the space. A floor-to-ceiling window offered a stunning view of the villa's meticulously manicured gardens, flooding the room with natural light.

Shedding my suit jacket and tie, I settled into my ergonomic office chair, feeling a sense of relief wash over me. Reaching for my third phone, I dialed a familiar number, the soft glow of the screen illuminating my face as I prepared for the call.

"Any progress on making him talk?" I asked over the phone, my voice firm and urgent. "I'm coming right away. Alert the boys to be observant," I instructed, before ending the call. I swiftly dialed another number, my fingers moving with purpose. "Get the car prepared. I'm going somewhere," I said, my tone brief and decisive, before ending the call again. I gathered the remaining phones and left the study room, my mind already focused on the task ahead.

"Alex, where are you going?" Mrs. Qilin, the head maid, asked, her voice gentle and inquiring, as I strode through the villa. "I was about to call you, the food is ready," she added, her tone hinting at a mix of concern and courtesy.

"I'm going out now, so I can't eat. I'll eat when I'm back," I replied, my pace unwavering.

"Okay, be careful," Mrs. Qilin said, her voice tinged with a hint of worry.

"I will," I assured her, before exiting the villa and entering the car prepared for me.

"Take me to my underground cave, the first one," I instructed the driver, my voice firm and commanding.

"Okay, boss," the driver replied, his tone crisp and professional, as the car began to move. ,.

A sleek black Lamborghini emerged from the villa's gates, followed by three more Lamborghinis, forming a convoy of luxury and power. We sped through the winding roads, the villa's manicured gardens and elegant fountains giving way to a more rugged terrain.

The cars navigated a series of sharp turns and steep descents, before arriving at a nondescript entrance hidden behind a waterfall. The entrance slid open, revealing a tunnel that descended deep into the earth. We drove through the tunnel, the sound of rushing water replaced by the hum of the cars' engines.

Finally, we arrived at the underground cave, a vast subterranean chamber constructed beneath an abandoned quarry. The cave was a marvel of modern engineering, with sleek steel and glass walls, and a network of catwalks and elevators.

I stepped out of the car and headed towards the gate, my footsteps echoing off the walls. Suddenly, I heard a shout - "Boss, watch out!" I turned to see a bullet hurtling towards me, and I dodged it just in time. My men quickly surrounded me, forming a human shield, and one of them returned fire, hitting the would-be assassin.

I swiftly dialed a number on my phone. "We're under attack," I said, my voice firm and urgent. "Safeguard the kid. My enemies have either come to take him or kill me. Make sure he's safe and follow the plan."

"Yes, boss," the voice on the other end replied. I ended the call, my mind racing with the implications of the attack.

"I never thought Mr. Alex would be scared of me and bring a lot of men," the voice said, laced with sarcasm.

"Good to see you again, Mr. Lewis," I said, my tone neutral.

"I saw you won the Best Enterprise Award this year again?" Mr. Lewis replied, his eyes gleaming with malice as he brought out his gun and began cleaning it with a handkerchief.

I didn't respond, instead alerting my men with a subtle nod. "He didn't come alone," I whispered.

"Let's end this here," Mr. Lewis sneered, pointing his gun at me. My men mirrored his action, and his men emerged from the shadows, guns drawn.

"Give us what we want, and we'll spare your lives," Mr. Lewis taunted.

"That's not how it works, Mr. Lewis," I countered, my voice firm. "You can't just enter my territory and claim something that's not yours. You've crossed a line, and now you'll face the consequences."

I hated prolonging conversations, but this idiot needed to understand the gravity of his mistake.

"Game over," I declared, drawing my gun. The air erupted into chaos as our guns clashed.

My men and I fought fiercely, taking down Mr. Lewis' men. When the dust settled, I stood face-to-face with Mr. Lewis, our guns locked.

"I can't believe everything is going according to plan," I thought, as I executed Plan A – letting him hit my gun and point his at my head.

"Who should die first?" I asked, my voice cold.

Mr. Lewis snarled, "You son of a bitch!" as he hit my gun, sending it clattering to the floor. He pointed his gun at my head.

Plan B was in motion – he demanded the boy in exchange for my life.

"Get the boy," I ordered my men, stalling for time.

At first, they hesitated, but my firm command prompted two of them to retrieve the "fake boy." They returned with a figure clad in a black mask.