Chapter 28

He went back downstairs and brought his food to his room, the aroma of the freshly cooked meal wafting through the air, making his stomach rumble with anticipation. He settled onto his bed, the familiar comfort of his space wrapping around him as he dug in, devouring every last bite. Once he finished, he reached for a tall glass of water that had been sitting on his nightstand since that morning, the cool liquid refreshing as it quenched his thirst.

Feeling energized, Travis stripped off all his clothes, the fabric sliding away as he prepared for his workout. He glanced in the mirror, mentally psyching himself up. He planned on pushing his limits, intent on working out until he could barely move. With that determination fueling him, he dove into his routine, each rep and set designed to challenge him.

Four grueling hours passed in a blur of sweat and exertion, his muscles burning and his breath coming in heavy gasps. Eventually, his body reached its breaking point, and he collapsed, unconscious from the sheer intensity of his efforts. Yet, in some strange twist of fate, his body didn't stop; it continued to push through another hour of relentless exercise, driven by sheer muscle memory. This left him in a precarious situation: his mind was weak and worn out from the strain, but his body was strong and resilient, craving more. He realized he needed to address this imbalance, and he needed to do it pronto.

...

When Travis woke up, he was lying flat on the ground, the coolness of the floor grounding him as he stared at the ceiling for a brief moment. Thoughts swirled in his mind—memories, aspirations, and the recent intensity of his workout. After a moment of contemplation, he pushed himself up and stretched his limbs, shaking off the residual fatigue.

He made his way to his computer, fingers itching with anticipation. As he logged in, he scanned the screen for any updates on the stock market. The familiar rush of excitement coursed through him as he spotted something that made him smile brightly.

"Saga Financial is selling 3% of their shares," he exclaimed in his head, excitement bubbling within him.

This was the opportunity he had been waiting for. With this purchase, he could begin his strategic takeover of the city, envisioning the power and control he could wield. Without hesitation, he clicked to buy the shares, watching as 10,000 dollars disappeared from his account. But he didn't care; this was just the first step.

Feeling a surge of confidence, he switched over to trading mode, analyzing patterns and market trends. His mind raced as he calculated potential profits, and after a few tense moments, he executed his trades with precision. Satisfied with his decisions, he rose from his seat, a sense of accomplishment washing over him.

"I need a bath," he thought, the idea of relaxing in warm water appealing after his rigorous day.

As he walked out of his room, he caught sight of Jenny just stepping out of the bathroom. She paused, staring at him, a blush creeping up her cheeks as their eyes met. Travis felt a flicker of warmth at her reaction but didn't linger; he smiled and walked past her, entering the bathroom to indulge in some much-needed relaxation.

'He's acting like he didn't see my pictures. What an asshole. But honestly, I appreciate that he's doing that. Otherwise, I'd feel even more embarrassed,' she thought.

After finishing his shower, Travis emerged with a towel wrapped snugly around his body, the warm steam still lingering in the air. As he made his way down the hallway, the sound of the doorbell rang out, surprising him. It took a moment, but then he remembered that today was Wednesday.

"I guess it's time for Debbie to hear news about Dad and stuff. I should go listen up. I feel like I've forgotten something," he thought, a twinge of anxiety creeping in.

He descended the staircase quietly, finding a spot to sit on the steps, positioning himself so he could hear the conversation without being seen.

" We got an update about your husband, Hank Wyatt, " he heard Harold, Mia's father, say.

Debbie gasped, her voice a mix of hope and fear as she asked, " You have news? "

"Yes, but it's not as much as we'd hoped," Harold replied, his tone grave.

Travis's heart raced as he listened intently, trying to gauge Debbie's reaction. She handed Harold a cup of coffee, her hands shaking slightly. " Thank you for this, " he said, accepting the cup.

" What have you found out? " Debbie pressed, her voice laced with urgency.

" Well, the autopsy report says that he died from asphyxiation. The bruising on his neck indicates that suicide is highly likely, " Harold explained.

" I don't get it though. Hank would never do that, " Debbie insisted, her voice breaking with disbelief.

" Well, we also found out something else, " Harold continued. " It seems that your husband has been hiding quite a lot from you and your family. "

" What do you mean? " Debbie asked, confusion flooding her features.

" He's been working as an accountant, right? " Harold queried, and when Debbie nodded, he pressed on. " And he's been employed at Saga Financial, am I correct? "

She nodded again, her stomach tightening in apprehension.

" Well, I asked a friend of his at Saga Financial and found out that your husband hasn't been working there for the last 18 months, " he said, delivering the blow that would shatter her world.

The shock hit Debbie like a tidal wave. " That has to be a lie. It can't be true, " she said, tears welling in her eyes as panic set in.

" No ma'am. A few weeks prior, he showed a decline in his work performance and had several incidents with some shady characters, " Harold revealed.

Travis's heart sank. ' As much as I loved Dad, hurting Debbie is something I can never forgive, ' he thought bitterly, anger boiling within him.

Suddenly, he heard the front door opening, which made him raise his head. Yumi walked in, her eyes widening as she took in the sight of Travis half-naked. She blushed, flustered, and asked, " Um, have you seen my partner Harold? "

" Yeah, he's right in there, " he replied, pointing towards the kitchen. Yumi nodded gratefully and walked inside, where she told Harold they needed to leave. He thanked Debbie for the coffee, and they made their way out of the house, leaving the tension thick in the air.

Travis entered the kitchen, his heart heavy as he found Debbie sitting at the table, tears streaming down her face. Without a second thought, he rushed over and hugged her tightly. She melted into his embrace, sobbing uncontrollably as he held her, wishing he could take away her pain.

Hearing her cry tore at his heart; this was the second time he had witnessed her tears, and he hated it more than anything.

"I'll make sure that those dumb Russians pay. I'll take everything he has, including his business and his cute but weird daughter," he vowed silently, determination hardening within him.

TO BE CONTINUED