Chapter 29

"You... B****!" Mike muttered to himself.

He saw that Amanda, Jocelyn, Kimberly and Owen had their backs turned on him as they made their way to their SUV.

Taking his chance, Mike reached for a pocket knife in his back pocket. He intended to stab at least one of them.

"LOOK OUT!"

Before Mike could attack, he felt an arm grab his wrist holding the knife and another arm squeezing around his neck. Next thing he knew, Mike was caught in choke hold and was unconscious in thirty seconds.

Quinton's Angels and Owen turned around to see Mike on the concrete pavement, choked out with knife in hand. They then saw someone in a black hooded jacket standing over a fallen Mike. That same person took the knife away from Mike's hand.

"Is everyone alright?" asked the person in the hooded jacket.

"Yes we are fine. Thank you. Is Mike OK?" asked Owen.

"He'll live. We should call the police." replied the person.

"I agree. Kimberly, call Chief Martin. Send him your recording while you are at it." instructed Owen.

"Yes sir." replied Kimberly as she made the necessary arrangements.

"By the way, who are you?" asked Amanda.

"That's right, can you pull your hood to the back? I want to see the face of the man who took out my ex." said Jocelyn.

"If you insist.... I was sent by Mr. Derek anyway. Might as well."

The mystery person pulled the hood back to reveal his true identity.

"Hey wait.... aren't you...." Owen began to speak but was interrupted.

"Yes, Mr. Owen. My name is Desmond Jones. I'm back in Townsville, thanks to Mr. Derek."

*Flashback to three hours ago*

Derek was at the Townsville airport, dressed in a polo T-shirt, jeans, a black cap and a mask. He still wanted to play safe and not reveal his true identity yet.

As he stared pass the glass doors of the arrival terminal, he noticed Desmond walking out of the airport, dressed in black track pants and a black hooded jacket, just like Derek instructed.

Upon seeing Derek, Desmond walked towards him and they both shook hands.

"Welcome back to Townsville, Desmond. Ready to get to work?" said Derek.

"As ready as I will ever be, brother boss." replied Desmond.

"Woah, don't call me boss just yet. I have an assignment for you. Consider this your audition." said Derek.

"Name it. I'll pass that audition and prove my loyalty to you." replied a determined Desmond.

"Good to hear. Hop in. I'll fill you in on the way." said Derek, before both he and Desmond stepped into Derek's Mercedes.

"Brother Derek, there's something I need to confess before we set off." said Desmond once they were in the car.

"Confess??"

"Yes brother, about your true identity. You're Derek Quinton, aren't you?"

Derek's eyes widened as looked at Desmond. How did he know about his real identity?

"Let me explain. Back in Brighton, I just finished cleaning the restroom and made my way out when I saw the scene outside the restaurant...."

"Go on." said Derek.

Desmond continued, " I heard the old man next to you saying you are the son of Master Quinton. I took a few seconds to connect the dots in my head. That's when I figured out you are Derek Quinton."

'So that's how you found out. I can't blame Owen, though. It was a public scene.' thought Derek.

"Did you tell anyone else about what you know?" asked Derek sternly.

"No brother. I swear I kept this to myself. You are the first person I have shared this confession with."

"Back in the restroom, you never once revealed your identity to me. I'm sure there is a reason. So out of respect for you, I kept your identity a secret." replied Desmond.

"Good. Keep it that way. In fact, if you pass this audition, I may have a position for you at the Quinton Tower. " said Derek.

"Fill me in, brother." replied Desmond.

*Fast forward to present moment*

"Mr. Derek informed me about this plan on my way here. My job was to make sure everyone exits this area safely....and stop this idiot if he dares to try anything like attack you from behind." explained Desmond.

"That reminds me...." Desmond then took his phone out and made a video call.

Click!

"Brother...it's done. Everyone is safe. Let me show you." reported Desmond before turning his phone to show Derek's face to everyone.

"Good job, Desmond. Hey everyone, I hope you don't mind our new head of security taking action." said Derek.

Everyone was stunned, including Desmond himself; but after what happened on this night, no one had a problem with Derek's decision.

It was official. Desmond was accepted into the Quinton Consortium family.

"We trust your judgement, boss." said Amanda.

"Yeah, Desmond is one of us." concurred Kimberly.

"Young Quinton just gave you a second chance. Serve him well." said Owen.

"Thank you, Desmond. You saved us all." Jocelyn walked to Desmond and gave him a hug.

"No need to thank me. My new boss, Mr. Derek gave me a new lease on life. I will treasure it as long as I live." replied Desmond, returning Jocelyn's hug with his own.

Amanda, Kimberly and Owen joined Desmond and Jocelyn in a wefie position so they all can see Derek on Desmond's phone screen.

"It's been a long night for all of you. Get some rest. I'll see you all tomorrow in the office. Goodnight!" said Derek before disconnecting the video call.

Just then, sirens could be heard. The police were approaching their position. Soon the police arrived and Chief Martin stepped out.

"Chief Martin. He's all yours." said Owen, pointing to an unconscious Mike.

The police arrested Mike while Desmond accompanied Amanda, Jocelyn, Kimberly and Owen home.