Chapter 5 - The Stolen Father
I dropped my phone and sprinted toward my father's hospital bed.
The white sheets were completely empty, and the heart monitor wires had been violently ripped from the wall.
Emily screamed in absolute horror as she stared at the vacant, sterile mattress.
My security team arrived moments later, heavily armed and ready for immediate combat.
"Lock down every single exit in this building and check the loading docks," I roared at the tactical commander.
My phone rang again, displaying a blocked international number.
I answered the call, my jaw clenched so tightly I thought my teeth would shatter.
"I see you finally decided to join the family business, Ethan," a dark, heavily accented voice chuckled.
"Victor," I spat, recognizing the name of the cartel boss who had just kidnapped my father.
"Your uncle Rick was a pathetic coward, but he told me you have very deep pockets," Victor mocked.
"I will give you fifty million dollars right now to return my father alive," I offered coldly.
"I do not just want your cash," Victor replied, his tone turning deadly serious.
"I want the corporate deeds you hold, and I want total access to your global shipping network."
I knew that surrendering my shipping routes would give the cartel absolute freedom to transport illegal weapons.
"You will never get my network," I stated firmly, daring him to challenge my resolve.
"Then your father dies tonight, and your sister dies tomorrow," Victor promised before abruptly ending the call.
My security commander rushed back into the room holding a bloody, familiar piece of clothing.
It was Uncle Rick's expensive designer jacket, completely soaked in fresh blood.
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"We found your uncle dead in the alleyway, boss," the commander reported grimly.
"He had a note pinned to his chest claiming that your dead mother is the one actually running the cartel."
